The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-12-04
OTTO BECKER
ENDS HIS LIFE
Shoots Self Through Head
at Home at 514 Third
Street Today.
MARRIED A WEEK AGO
Depressed Because His Young
Wife Had a Job and He None,
Bridegroom Ends All.

ly. His young wife was away aC WoI
* the time, and Becker was found
s:eAd in the room by his sister-in-law,
Mrs. Frank Becker, with whom the
newly married couple made their
home.
Depression over the fact that mis-
young wife had job and he had none,
| is believed to have been the motive
for the suicide. He had been laid off
at the Nash factory where he was en-
ployed, and when he returned there
this morning to inquire if work was
running again, received an answer in
the negative. He came back to the
room in which he had just had break
| fast with his wife, and killed himself.
Woman Hears Explosion.
| The young couple returned from
their honeymoon last Saturday night
to make their home with Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank Becker. Mrs. Becker, Otto's
sister-in-law, was down In the base
ment this morning washing clothes.
Once she ran up the stairs to inquire
about her two-year-old baby.
"Otto," she called, "is Elwood
awake YETI" Otto answered, "No."
She returned to her work, and some
minutes later heard an explosion. Her
| first thought was of the gas stove in
the kitchen in the housekeeping apart
ment of the newly-weds. She rushed
| up the stairs, thinking that Otto, per-
haps with the desire of washing up
the dishes so the house would be tidy
when his wife returned, had lighted
the gas stove and caused an explo-
sion. She called, "Otto, Otto,'' all the
way up the stairs, but received no re-
spouse. On the second floor she found
her own toddling youngster, who had
come out to the hall, evidently at
tracted by the strange noise.
Opening the door of the upstairs
kitchen, Mrs. Becker saw her brother
in-law lying on the floor, apparently
overcome She hurried downstairs
and meeting the mail-carrier, brought
him back with her, after summoning
physician. 1t was several minutes
before they were aware of the gun
lying three feet from the body. This
told them the story of suicide.
Father Killed in Mine.
The police office received the call
at 9:52. Police Officers Melbusch and
McGivern answered, and Sergeant
Schneeberger brought Judge Slater,
acting coroner, who was just taking
the bench in the municipal court to
hear the usual Monday morning cases.
Mrs. Otto Becker, brought from the
factory where she has been working
for her brother, Gus Ohlgart, was ov-
ercome with grief, and collapsed in
the hall when she was restrained from
going up the stairs to join her hus-
band.
"Why didn't he take me with him 2"
she moaned, over and over again.
Stark tragedy came in with the bent
figure of the old mother, Mrs. Will
helmina Becker, who was brought from
her home at Is Maplewood avenue
Her husband had been killed in the
mines in Pennsylvania and she had
been left with that tragedy to remem-
Der and seven children to rear. She
had overcome all obstacles and lived
to be honest, hard working and faith
full Christians. She was ready to rest
after her labors, when the shock of
her sons violent and ill-timed end
was broken to her this morning, and
her wailing filled the house of grief.
Bridegroom in Happy Mood.
No intimaton was given by Otto
Becker, according to those nearest
him, that he contemplated suicide. He
had talked cheerfully with his wife
and relatives, and outside of the fact
/ : I1o& &~ ko
out of work, especially since he was
married, they knew Of nothing that
preyed upon his mind.
He was married Saturday evening,
November %, to Miss Mathilda OIL
CART, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. T.
| Ohlgart, 119 Edward street. After the
wedding celebration with their friends
the bridal couple left for Flint, Mich.
They returned from their honeymoon
Saturday night, both in high spirits.
Sunday night Otto and his wife went
downtown to see show, and parted
gaily with Otto's brother, Frank and
his wife downstairs.
This morning Otto Becker arose and
prepared breakfast for his wife, as
she was the one who had job. He
|
derwear factory where she was en-
ployed. He then went over to the
Nash factory to inquire about his
work.
Otto was laid off for a couple of
weeks. He had been i'll for two weeks
previous to that, and according to his
sister-in-law, arose before he was
quite able in order to get to work, as
| he was anxious and sensitive in the
matter AS the date for his wedding
was set and all preparations made, he
did not wish to postpone it, but he
was much upset when informed a
week before his wedding, that he was
to be laid off two weeks. One week
passed on the wedding trip, but this
morning the young man was unable
to face the thought of continuing un-
employed, even for week longer. 1t
was not question of want, as there
was money in the home and more to
be had by help from affectionate rela-
tives. 1t was rather high pride and
sensitiveness, friends believe, which
caused Otto Becker to seek the sud-
den way of ending all, rather than be
named in some vulgar gossip's mouth,
as '*piker" who let his wife work
while he stayed at home.
Otto Becker is survived by his wi
dow, his mother, three brothers, Frank,
Arnold and William, of Kenosha, and
two sisters, Martha Becker of Keno
| sha, and Mrs. Earl Rowe of Mt. Car