The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-08-17
Had Great scamp Collection.

ton. This consisted Of thousands Of
the rarest and most valuable stamps
in the world and was always a
source Of wonder and interest to the
visitor to his rooms. Several OF his
stamps were valued at hundreds Of
dollars each.
About two years ago, he sent this
collection over to Germany as we'd
ding present to one OF his nephews.
Kuespert In the years gone by was
also known as >taxidermist and his
rooms were filed with birds Of every
variety and description, which he had
stuffed. all Of which he Mater gave
away to his friends.
He was especially popular among
the boys and young men OF tho neigh
borhood and he taught them many
useful things. Many in this city owe
their knowledge OF photography to
him and he started number OF anna
teur stamp collectors.
Well Known FIgura.
HIS figure was well-known on Keo.
kuk streets. Short and straight and
with Z soidierly bearing, telling Of his
service In the German army, short
clipped mustache and little German
cap, he never changed from year to
year, and, although nearing his fifty
second milestone, he did not appear
to be over thirty.
Kuespert had about twenty nep-
hews. uncles and other relatives fight
ing with the German army at the out
break OF the war A number OF these
have been killed since.
Last summer when the Germans
started their grand sweep towards
Paris, two nephews were killed be-
fore Liege In the frst week Of the
lighting. And at Intervals since then
he had heard OF the death of other
relatives. That these struck him to
the heart was evident as he broke
down and cried on receiving each OF
the death missives. But he was short
ly himself again and would proudly
exclaim that he had ten or twelve as
the number might be. more yet to
light for Germany. That these losses
were largely responsible for his act is
evident.
Threatened to Take Life,
For the past half year he had
threatened to take his life several
times according to the testimony OF
those who knew him. He told one per.
son that when he decided to kill him.
self that he would dress up 90 that
when he was found there would be
no bother in preparing him for his
final resting place. l.l
AS he was seen on the street but a
couple OF days ago. walking with an
elastic step and with an unperturbed
countenance. it Is probable that he
committed suicide either while under
the Influence Of liquor or while IA
state OF partial insanity brought on
by his respondent condition.
Made Trips to Germany,
huespert was in the habit of saving
practically all OF his money for trims
every two years to Germany. Last
summer when he quit the employ Of
the shoe factory, he had a sum at
money saved up. This lasted him
until a short time ago when he was.
Forced to take up any odd Jobs he
could get
He was an odd character IN Keo-
kuk and as such the city has seen
him pass. Kuespert stood high in
the Odd Fellow lodge here al nne
time and was never tired OF recount.
Ing the honors paid him by lodges in
Germany when he paid visits to the
old country According to his story
he had been all around the world and
had many interesting stories to tell
Of his journeys.
On one of his pilgrimages he stated
that he had an audience with the
pope at Rome.