The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-02-26

letter written 20 his parents had ac-
cused him of taking small sum of
money from the cloakroom of lodge
hall, Clarence Herbert Hartwig, II
years old, senior at the Kenosha
High school, took rat poison Thurs
day afternoon, from which he died
several hours later according to the
results of the investigation into the
death made this morning by Coroner
Joseph Friend. A report of his find
ing together with recommendation
that the writer of the anonymous let
ter be apprehended was made by the
coroner to District Attorney Lewis
Powell this afternoon and a probe
into that angle Of the tragedy is now
under way.
Young Hartwig became seriously i'll
from the effects of the poison while
he was attending classes at the High
school but it was believed then that
he was merely suffering from nausea.
Later investigation revealed his true
condition, which was substantiated by
statements made before his death to
his mother and to others, but then it
was too late to save his life. He died
at nine-thirty o'clock Thursday night
at the home of his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. John Hartwig, 38 North Ridge
street, protesting until his death his
innocence of the accusations made
against him in the anonymous letter
and seeking their forgiveness for his
rash act in a moment Of dependency.
Took Poison at Noon.
oysfxx
had gone to his home as usual. Dur
ing the noon hour his father had
shown him the letter which he had
received and while he told the son
that he did not believe the charges,
had advised the boy regarding them.
Later investigation showed that the
lad had gone to the Majestic theater,
where he has been employed as an
usher at evenings and had there TAX
en- some rat poison kept in hidden
corner of the medicine case in the
rest room, and mixing it with water,
had drunk a big dose of the poison.
He had carefully placed the glass,
with some of the poison still in it,
back behind partition so thai no
one else would drink from it.
Then Calmly Awaited Death.
Then young Hartwig went to the
High school and attended his classes
as usual. He talked gayly to his
chums there while they were gather
ing for school, never once mentioning
anything which might lead them to
think that he was in any kind of
trouble. He went to his history class
as usual, reciting during the period.
Not one intimation did he give that
he was calmly awaiting death.
During the second period of the af-
ternoon session, in keeping with the
rules of the school, he went to the
Office of the principal and asked to be
excused to go home, stating that he
had headache and that his eyes
hurt him.
"There was nothing unusual what
ever in his attitude then" explained
school officials this morning in CONF
menting on the affair. N"He did not
even forget to thank us for the cour-
tesy of granting his request and as
he left the room smilingly said
Goodbye"
Stopped at Doctors Office.
ON his way home he stopped at
physlcian's office and received treat
ment. He did not, however, tell the
phvsician that he had taken the poi
son but rather firmly asserted that he
could think of nothing which he had
taken or eaten which would cause the
illness. Believing that the youth,
who has been i'll frequently during
his life, was suffering from nausea,
the physician after treating him for
this, called taxicab and sent the
boy home.
AS young Hartwig staggered out of
the taxicab, his father met him.
"What is the matter, Clarence ?"
asked the father as he helped him in
to the house.
Nothing, much I'll tell mother"
the lad said. Then he told his moth
err that he had taken poison because
of the "lies" told about him.
ESStor is ResGsamoned.
The physician was Immediately call
ed to the home and used drastic treat
ment in an effort to save the boys
life. For a time he rallied, during
which time he told the physician
where he had secured the poison and
what he had done with the remainder
of it. Investigation substantiated ev-
cry part of this story.
The poison, however, had spread
throughout his entire system and ear
" in the evening he went into anoth-
sr sinking spell. Death gradually
erept upon him. 1t was stated that
the poison had probably been in the
lads system so long by the time that
ne reached the physician that he could
not have been saved even then if the
true facts of the case had been known.
officials Take Letter.
The anonymous letter which upset
the lad was turned over to officials
and an investigation into it with an
idea of apprehending the writer of
~ is being carried on this afternoon.
1t was written in Swedish and merely
advised the father that the lad was
suspected of taking some money from
cloakroom of a lodge hall. Rela-
lives and friends of the lad are con-
fident that an investigation will show
that the boy was unjustly accused,
Young Hartwig had been of q nerv-
Gus temperament, having been sick
several times during his life for long
periods. He had at one time suffered
from a nervous affliction and it is
believed that the letter so upset him
that he became temporarily deranged.
Leader in School Life.
The news OF his death came as g
~o,,ox.r TO fba antiro biUh Scboo1