Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-06-18
DR.. POSPISIEL
COMMITS SUICIDE
Brother Of John Pospisiel
and we'll Known in Wood
County.


iel formerly resident OF Arpin,
Wood County, but now in the employ
OF the Heineman Lumber Co. at
Heineman. committed suicide at his
home in Washington, D. G. on Mon
day June SJh. The Washington Post
gives the following account:
DIR. Joseph Pospislel, medical
examiner in the pension bureau, went
raving crazy while at his home, 633
It'll street northeast. early yesterday
morning. BeSet by horrifying
imaginary dangers he passed his
children out Of second-Story window
to a neighbor next door and drove his
wife, in fear of her life, to leap from
the same elevation. Then, after hold
force at bay for six hours and firing
nearly fifty shots from his revolver at
the policemen and others who ap-
preached his barricaded home, PCspiS-
iel, his strength exhausted and his
ammunition gone, sat down at a
window sill facing the street. took a
dose Of morphine, and, turning the
fouled and kicking weapon on him.
self. blew out his brains. Still leering
idiotically, he crumpled up and pitch
ed, all in heap, to the street below,
dying few minutes later in speed
ing Casualty Hospital ambulance.
Joseph Pospisiel's nerves had been
all of a jangle since Thursday of last
week, when his dIsordered mind con-
ceived the idea that the members of
the Maccabees-which order is one of
several fraternal organizations with
which Pospisiel was connected were
plotting with the police to kill him
and his family-Mrs. Pospisiel and
three children, Joseph, thirteen years
of age: Elsie, and Edward four years.
BY Thursday evening this insane
notion obtained such hold on PoSpis-
iel that he did not attend the meeting
of Mount Vernon Tent No. 4, where
that very evening, because of the
affection and regard in which he was
held, Pospisiel was elected to the
highest Office in tue gift of the tent.
But the next day, when told of the
honor done him, Pospisiel sneered
and considered the announcement as
Just additional evidence that harm
was intended him.
Writes Letter
DR.. PospiSiel seemed to have become
possessed of the idea that his father,
who died several years ago, was still
alive, and despite the terrible mental
strain under which he had been labor
ing he was able to sit at his desk a
few minutes before he killed him.
self and write of his vision. The let
ter, which he addressed to bis brother.
John Pospisiel, living at Heineman.
Wis, reads:
s'Dear Sister and Brother: l have
not heard from you for long time.
How are you all getting along? Hope
you are getting along nicely. Before
this letter reaches you, you may hear
something awful. l understand that
serious charges are being trumped
up against me. May the Lord Jesus
Christ be with you. Is father dead:
Itappears l saw him in a vision, Is
Rosie really married or not? How is
Annie and the rest of the family? Why
don'tyou write, dear brother? PLEASE
do. Please do. God bless you all.
Shoots Himself and Falls.
Having written the letter and left
it on his desk. DR.. Pospisiel returned
10 the window, revolver in hand pre-
pared to renew the shooting. His ap
pearance at that time showed he wa
somewhat exhausted and that hi
could not stand the battle much longer
He had bottle in his pocket which
uoa+o;n,5 n cbloral SnlntiOD and also a