The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-06-19
August TrakoWski. an Aged
German Resident. Living in
The South Portion of the
City Committed Suicide.
PREVIOUSLY HE HAD
FL0URISHED REVOLVER.
No Doubt Is Entertained But
That TrakoWSkfS Mind Was
Affected as the Result of
Sunstroke He Sustained.

August Trakowski, aged 65 years,
and a well known resident OF the
south part of town, committed suicide
by hanging this morning. after he had
made an attempr To murder his wife by
shooting her with a revolver. Tha
body was found hanging from "A linn
of a tree in "A thicket in the west part
of the Beall View addition, about 200
yards from the c. c. & l.. raiiroaf
tracks. The discovery was made by
Ben Rottinghaus who had been ditcn-
ing nearby and who saw the boiy
while walking along the railroad
tracks. He reported his grewsome dis
covery TO August Trakowski. Jr.. who
was searching for his father Coro-
ner A. l.. Bramkamp was Immediately
summoned. Trakowski had been
dead. it is thought nearly an hour be-
fore the body was found by Rotting-
haus
Trakowski had taken his life by at
taching a hemp rope to a limb Of u
tree, which was a little over five feet
from the ground TralSowskix feet
rested on the ground. and to strangle
himself he had to bend both knees.
Coroner Bramkamp states that there is
but little doubt that the man was in
sane when he committed the deed.
This morning about 4:30 O'Clock
Trakowski arose from his bed and
began to dress. Mrs. Trakowsli re-
monstrated with her husband for aris-
ing at such an early hour, but he paid
no attention to her. After he had
partly dressed Trakowski went to the
bed of his twe,ve-year-old son and
awoke him. Trakowski handed his
son his gold watch and said in Ger
man. This is for you. my SON."
Attack on His Wife.
The man then secured a revolver.
went to his bed and placed the muzzle
of the weapon against his wife's FORE
head. He did not say "A word Mrs.
Trakowsh pushed the weapon away
from her head and Immediately grap-
pied with her husband. A fierce
struggle insued. the noise of which
attracted two neighbors by the names
of Bennett and Thompson. who rush
ed into the house and seized Trako-
wski. The young son also came TO
the aid of his mother.
About an hour after Trakowski had
made the attack on his wife he left
his home and wandered south along
the railroad tracks. He was never
seen again alive. August Trakowski.
Jr., who lives near his father had been
out hunting and he did not learn OF
the attack his father had made on his.
mother or of the disappearance Of his
father until about s O'Clock. He and
several neighbors then started out in
search of Trakowski. Sr
A little over a month ago Trakow-'
ski was arrested for assault and bat
terry on his wife. After the old man
had remained in jail a few days he
was released because il was not be-
lieved that he was accountable for
his actions. An inquest was later
held on Trakowski and the commits
sion found him to be sane. Last sum
mer Trakowski suffered sunstroke
and also had two ribs broken. These
accidents. it is thought, were account
able for his mental condition Trako-
wsk was formerly employed by the
Richmond Water Works company.
The body after il had been cut down
from the tree was removed TO the
home on South ] street