The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-12-07
JURIST WHO POSSESSED WEALTH ESTIMATED AT
FROM SIS 900 TO $loo. 900. AFRAID
OF POVERTY.
Prominent Citizen Of New Um Hanged Himself in This
Morning; Wife Hopeless Invalid; Suffered
Poralytic Stroke Few Months Ago.

o'cPPeu iHlo INC DdIH WHICH was empty
and climbing a narrow ladder to the
hay loft he found the body of the Judge
hanging from rafter. His feet were
within three inches of the floor. He
was fully dressed and wore the same
overcoat that he had worn for wears
His right hand covered with mitten
was tucked into the pocket of the over
coat. Chief Klause at once informed
DIR. Stricken of the tragedy and the
doctor, acting for the coroner, after view
ing the body, ordered it removed to
Binger's undertaking rooms.
Was Deliberately Planned.
The judge had planned the suicide with
great care and deliberation. He had in
spected two one-inch ropes that were
hanging on the wall, and attempted to
tie a hangman's knot in each, but for
ropes and selected bride with which
he ended his life. He made a slip moose
of one handy piece of the bride and
threw the end over the rafter. He had
stood on box which he kicked from
under him, sending it three feet away.
DR.. Strickler was of the opinion that
Judge Weber had been dead about two
hours.
Mrs. Webber was not informed of the
awful deed which her husband had re-
sorted to, but was told that he had been
stricken with heart disease while out
walking and was in a critical condition.
AS the woman is ill beyond recovery it
was deemed for the best to tell her the.
story related. The woman's condition
would not permit of her hearing the
tragic tale of his end The shock would
have killed her, NO doubt. She will al
ways remain in ignorance of how her
husband died
Was an Hon0red Citizen. ~,
Judge Weber was an honored citizen.
No. citizen of New Ulm was held in
higher esteem, and his terrible act has
unnerved the people of that. city. He
was a. native of Maine, and came to
Minnesota forty years ago, settling in
Garden City, this county, which was
then a thriving community and was am
bilious to become the leading town in
the county. He was the principal of the
village school and was assisted by Mrs.
A. c. Barney of this city. Mr.: Weber
was a vigorous man, hardworking and
full of energy. He never was idle. Dur
ing the vacation days he worked at the
carpenters trade and studied law and
was admitted to the bar while yet res
ident of the village in the early seventies.
Old residents of Garden City remember
MIR. Webber and his untiring industry.
He was marvel of endurance. He was
married before he came west to young
lady who was his pupil in Maine vii
lage school where he taught for a few
years.
His Rise in Life.
- . =
After removing to New Ulm, Mr.. Web
Der, practieed law and at times when
clients were scarce he worked at the
carpenters trade as he had bone in Gar
den City. He always was busy. He did
not know what it was. to be idle. In
1877 he was elected county attorney of
Brown county, serving the people with
great satisfaction i'll that capacity for
several years. He succeeded Judge Bald,
! win on the district bench and remained
there for, twenty-four years. He was
regarded as most conscientious jurist.
He was plain, unassuming man and
was eminently fair in his rulings, and
| it was rare that the supreme court was
called on to overrule his decisions. 1t
was Judge Weber who presided over
| the first Koch trial and the strain of
that long and tedious hearing had its
share in undermining his health. 1t was