The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-12-07
From Tuesdays Daily.

New Tim, already burdened with the
weight of many tragedies, was given a
terrible shock this morning when the
startling report was spread over the city
that Judge Benjamin F. Webber had
hanged himself in the hay loft of the
barn on his premises. The news created
q profound sensation and many people
were loath to believe that man of
Judge Webber's strong character would
commit such a desperate deed. But the
story which was circulated from mouth
to mouth proved too true.
Threats of Suicide.
OF late Judge Webber had been suf-
fering from melancholia, and complained
of financial distress, although he was es-
timated to be worth from $4,000 to
100000, and there was not the slightest
cause for him to talk of poverty.
However, he did so, and frequently, made
threats to Banker NJ. Mullen of GEM
hitting suicide. Mr.. Mullen laughed at
these threats and did everything that he
could to drive the moody spells from
the aged jurist's mind.
Several months ago Mrs. Weber was
stricken with paralysis She is hope
less invalid and demands The constant
care of trained nurse The afflicted
woman was rendered speechless by the
stroke and has remained in that mute
condition since. His wife's illness and
the fact that old age forced him to with
draw from the judicial bench, thereby
depriving him of yearly salary, caused
Mr.. Weber to worry much and to be-
come morose. He talked of poverty and
the spectre of the poor home was before
him always. Often during the past few
weeks he would 60 into the, kitchen of
his home and instruct the servant girl
not 20 cook certain articles for the
table, declaring that he could not afford
such Injuries, .s ~e.e, n
Fears of Poor House.. a.
On Thanksgiving day the Judge was
visited by his son Frank and wife of
Franklin, to whom he said that the en-
ployment of nurse and other expenses
connected with Mrs. Webber's sickness
would render him penniless and they
would have to take up their abode at
the poor house. The son and daughter
in-law attempted to explain to the old
gentleman that he was well off in this
worlds goods and that he would never
become an object of charity. But the
father had made up his mind that he
was to be stripped of his wealth and
with no income, nothing else, could result
than trip "over the hills to the poor
house."
1t was Judge Webber's habit for years
to get up at six o'clock and indulge in
long walks every morning before break
fast. Recently he took to walking in
the evening. Last night he left his home
at eight o'clock and did not return until
twelve o'clock. No one knows where he
was or why he remained out so late. It
was unusual for him to do so. This
morning Mr.. Webber arose at five o'clock
and called the servant girl, requesting
her to arise. This was strange pro-
cedure also. The judge left the house
shortly afterward and that was the last
that was seen of him alive. l:.a..
Body Found Hanging. r.f
As he did not return home by eight
o'clock, the breakfast hour, the mem
bers of the household became alarmed
Mrs. Webber indicated that she would
like to see her husband. A search was
instituted for him. No trace of the
man could be found. About nine o'clock
Mr.. Mullen notified Chief of Police
Klause of the search that was being
made for Judge Webber, and confided tc
the officer his fears of suicide The of
ficer went at once to the Weber home
and looked over the premises. He