Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-09-26

Robert Beckstrom, Harry Beckstrom
and Phil Thomas. all residing at 1880
Forty street, found Petersen dy-
ing in the rear of the barn connected
with Hellsterns saloon. The Young
men were eating supper when the cries
attracted their attention, and taking
a lantern they searched in tie weeds
IN the rear of the saloon, near the al
Hey. When Petersen was found he
lopened his eyes. and went into con-
vulsion. 1t lasted but minute, when
his muscles relaxed, and his arms.
which had been drawn up across his
chest fell TO his side. The young men
death from the effects of the poisonous
powder which he took in the saloon
an hour and a half previous.
Becomes De~pondent.
II is supposed that Petersen. becom-
ing respondent over his financial con-
dition. and his attention called to il
by being invited to drink at the ex-
pense of another, took strychnine. As
| he left the saloon a few minutes later
the immediate, effects of the drug were
not discovered, and when mis- cries at
tracted help, he was beyond assist
ance
In Mr.. Petersen's pocket was a small
memorandum book. which contained
the message written in it in pencil. II
am now on the way to God. God be
with you. all | have sinned" This
note. seemingly left for an explanation
for his family, was not dated, but was
probably written during the time that
Petersen sat in the saloon before he
took the poison. There was no other
evidence OF his having premeditated
taking poison, and his son-in-law says
he never head him threaten suicide
Coroner Called.
Mr. Hellstern, being notified of the
mans death called the police, who re-
moved the body TO the Knox undertak-
ing establishment, where he was iden-
tilted by Alfred Lindstedt, Mr.. Peter
sens son-in-law.
Coroner Eckhart this morning con-
Quoted an inquest at the Knox parlors.
On hearing the testimony. the jury re-
turned a verdict that Mr.. Petersen
came to his death by the self admin
istration of a poisonous powder, with
suicidal intent, Sept. %, 1905
Alfred Lindstedt, the son-in-law, was
| first examined. TO prove the identity
of the deceased. He said that Mr.. Pc
tersen had been absent from his home
| II weeks, but that Mrs. Petersen had
seen him three weeks ago. in Henry
county. Mr.. Lindstedt seemed to
doubt that the poison had been self
administered. and said that Mr. Peter
sen had been very sick about two
weeks ago. He had been informed la
ter. that he had recovered He does
not believe in the suicide theory, but
thinks that the administration of the
poison was accidental.
Was Downhearted.
Joseph Hellstern. the proprietor of
the saloon, told of Petersen's actions
! in the saloon during the afternoon AT
| ter the mans body had been found,
| Hellstern went TO Moline to locate his
relatives. and Mrs. Lindstedt returned
with him. and identified the body at
the Knox establishment Mr.. Hellstern
said that when Petersen entered the
saloon he seemed in good heath hu;
QOWnnedTIeu. ne Sdlu lilaAl Al it' III
II ing from his interview with the sac
foreman, Petersen had asked him about
a boarding place, and said he was TO go
to work in the morning. He said Peter
sen left the saloon before $50 O'Clock
The story of the finding of the body
was told to the jury by Robert Beck
strom. who said that when they found
4 Petersen he was dying. and they had
no time to ask him any questions
Young Beckstrom's testimony was cor
roborated by that of his brother. Harry
Beckstrom. and by Phil Thomas.
DIR. p. f. Purdue, who testified after
examining the body. said that from his
examination. and the testimony, he at
tributed death TO the contents of the
powder taken in the saloon. and con
sidered that the powder was taken with
Il suicidal intent.
III Native of sweden.
II Mr.. Petersen was a native of Swed
en-. where he was born Oct. %, 1S4S
He had been a resident of Moline "a
years. coming there direct from Swed
en- when "a years old. The only sur
viving relatives are his wife and one
daughter. Mrs. Alfred Lindstedt.
The funeral will be held Thursday
af,ernoor from inc home in Moline