Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-17
OLD SOLDIER IS
FOUND DEAD AT
R0OMINC HOUSE
Lucian G. Crespin, Guard on
Government Bridge, Over
come by Gas.
DISCOVERED BY FRIEND
Oscar koenis Goes to Call Him and
Makes Gre~some Fiud-Looks
Like Suicide.

Luclan {. CreSpin, for years in the
United States army and later employ
ed as a guard on the government
bridge on the Iowa side, was found
dead in bed yesterday morning about
$50 by Oscar Koenig at the rooming
house conducted by Miss Fay Shell
lady, 5I3 Twenty-third street. The gas
jet had been turned full on and ply
sicians who were called, stated that
life had been extinct for several hours
before the grewsome find was made.
All of the indications pointed to sui
eide
Crespin has made his home at the
rooming house but short time accord
ing TO Miss Shellady, who said that
he had only been there since week
ago last Tuesday At that time he ap-
piled to her for accommodations. He
explained that he desired 10 be nearer
his work, being guyrd on the gov
eminent bridge.
FOUND BY FRIEND.
She said that his hours were from
o'clock in the afternoon until mid
night and that he came home Satur-
day evening as usual. She explained
that he was not a drinking man and
that he appeared in excellent health
and a happy frame of mind when she
talked with him. Saturday afternoon.
Saturday he had made arrangements
with a fellow roomer, Oscar Koenig
whose nationality is French, as
was the deceased, to call him
Sunday morning about $40.
This Mr. Koenig started 10 do.
IN l1o
was surprised to find the door unlock.
ed and on swinging it open found the
place full of gas and his friend cold
in death.
Mr.. Koenig called the landlady. Miss
VINO at once investigated. Ii
was found that Mr. Crespin had been !
dead several hours. The gas jet was !
turned clear on but the deadly fumes /
had not penetrated the rest of the /
house. The old soldier with the great /
est of care had brushed and put away /
his uniform and everything was order
" in the room. Physicians were noti-
fed and the auto patrol hurried to the
scene with the pulmotor but attempts
At reviving him failed.
CAUSE NOT DETERMINED.
he gas had been accidently turned on
could not be definitely told. The fact
hat the windows had been closed
which was contrary 10 the usual pro-
,edure of the man seemed TO
Indicate that he had taken his
life. although what prompted such
ash act remains a mystery. No note
,r statement of any kind was left to
Explain the deed.
THE INQUEST.
The remains were taken to Vince
ans undertaking parlors where an in
uesU was held this morning at =
o'clock by Coroner K. c. ]. Meyers,
ioline.
A verdict of accidental death was
eturned Mrs l.. c. Crespin, wife
f the deceased, was present at the
nquest and she, with two sons. John
l. and Ralph, aged IL and IA, are the
My surviving relatives.
The inquest showed that Mr. Cres-
in went 70 his home at 209 Second
treet in Moline on Nov. last. while
luch intoxicated, and demanded
loney from his wife. He declared
nat he had but 80 cents left. Having
ut little money herself, Mrs. Crespn
efused him, whereupon he left. Only
nee afterward did she see him again.
n last Thursday. when he passed her
ouse in an intoxicated condition.
BORN IN FRANCE.
Deceased was born in France about
5 years ago. on Nov. "a. He came to
lis country in January, over 80 years
60 On March 3, 1896. he married
.iss Anna Cochran at Junction City,
an. He came to Rock Island in June,
'9s, and secured employment at Rock
land arsenal. His wife joined him
August OF the same year. their home
sing then, as now. in Moline. Except
II an absence of three years proceed
e last June he had been employed
the arsenal the entire time. IN June
, returned TO Rock Island and became
guard on the Iowa side. where he
orked up to the time of his death.