Hide Article Text (OCR)
SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 12,WILLIAMS TRAGEDY.Further Particulars of the Death oi I. H. Brown.' • Born in Djbuque County Loses His Fortune in a Bucket Shop His Life Insurance, Etc.Conductor Keepers, of the Illinois Cen-rr il railroad. neve n reporter for lineTimkh a few additional particular,ot tin* Williams tiag'sty which -tallied the people of that vicinity last Monday. Mr. I. II. Brown who shol himself. was formerly a resident of tills ci'y. and had but one leg. At Williams, a few mile* this side of Webster City. Mr. Brown was postmaster, notary public, justice of the peace, station and express agent. He stood high In the community, tin Mr. Keepers’ train were two government poatoffice inspectors. They left the train at Williams. Upon introducing themselves to Brown, one of them handed him a letter which Informed hint that he was required to hand over his books to the Inspectors. All light,” said Brown, as soon as 1 distribute this mail, holding up the bag he had Just received from the route agent on tin* train. The United States agents passed out and took a short walk. In the meantime Brown did up some money In an envel-ope, requesting an acquaintance to take It to his wife. He then went into the freight house, took his gun. placed the mnxzle to his left breast and with a piece ef lath discharge.! the contents of the barrel Into his heart, setting tire to his garments and piercing a great hole in his breast. The report brought the U. 8- agents with others. Into the freight house. Brown laid upon the freight honse floor, gasping In the agonies of death. An examination of liis books revealed the cause of his rash act. lie preferred death to living dishonor and disgrace.Brown was worth between *10,000 and $15,000 at one time, but through speculation on ’change in Chicago and in bucket shops, lie lost it all, and before his death he was no doubt u*ing tbe funds of the government and the railroad company in the endeavor to retrieve his lost fortune. On ’change and bucket shops need the severest attention of the legislature of each state, and the sooner these dens of Iniquity are wl|ed out the better for tbe present and rising generation.The Hamilton Freeman has the following additional particulars:Monday afternoon. May 7tli, at twenty minutes past three o'clock. I. II. Brow n, of Williams, committed suicide by shooting himself with a double-barrelled shot-gun.— The particular* of the tragic act are sub-slantially a* follows: When the three o’clock train from the east arrived at William*. Mr. Brown was at his place In the depot and performed the usual business ofstation agent during the stopping of the train. As the train moved away from the depot Mr. Brown was engaged In Ids duties n* postmaster, .lust then two men connected with the postal service stepped Into the office and greeted Mr. Brow n, telling him they would-wsll later In the day. He was then distributing a package of letters. \* soon as the two gentlemen stepped out Mr. Brown, lu a manner to excite no undue attention, took down Ins *liot-gun ia Bakeri an I set it just inside the door which lead* from the office to the freight room. Coming back he Went on with hi* work in the office for a few moments longer, then turning to the Rev. Mr. Harmon, w ho was in the office waiting for his mail, Blown said: Madder, don't you want to take a ride? 1 wl*h you would hitch up my team and take your wife and Mr*. Brown out to Mr. VanNesses. as it will do the women good to take a trip into the country. The Elder assented, and iu*t as lie was leaving the office Brown handed ail envelope package addre**ed to Mrs. B.. requesting him to hand it to her. Before Mr. Huimoii had reached the residence of Mr. It. the repoit or the gun wa* heard In the freight room. A young man l.\ the name of Joseyln. who was assisting Mr. B. about the depot, immediately opened the door, when he was horrified lv the gaatly *|iectacle of the self municred man lying aero** a Im*\ with Ids head banging over the end of it towards the floor, in an Instant other* were drawn to the spot by the loud report of the gun, but those lir*t to arrive only witnessed the poor victim gasp once, mi thoroughly had lie done the work oi self-destrudIon. A telegram was sent to tlii* city requesting the nresenco of the coronlt;« at once. Coroner 1\ J. McConnell was promptly notified. He went to William* ill the evening, and held an Inquc.t, of which thu following is a copy:COHO'Kll's |\ql KT.Wii.i.i lt;ms, Invra.Msy 7. — An inquisitionholdi'll at W I limn- III Hnmiilon rontii ,I.it ..n the 7th day of May. I SKI. la-fore K. J. Me Connell, coroner tt “aid county, upon lie body ot I. It. Brown, there I) lug dead. I»y the Juror* whose names aw hereto subscribed: tbo saidtutors upon iheir oaths do say thMt tbe said I.I. Ilrown came to hi* death by a gun-shot wound, tired Into his body by his own band.In testimony whereof the Jurors have hereunto x-t their hands the day and year afon-*«id. iSignedi J. M. O'llltlKN,II. S. JOHNSON, WM IIANI.AN.The causes assigned for the desperate act are many and various, but from such facts as we have lieeu able to gather It seems to iiave been the result of financial embarrassment, which induced great mental depression. It is claimed that some two yearsItrstaartk lituf liuuIrllw In on 'CittfItiiiago Mr. Brown lost heavily In an ‘'option deal lu Chicago -one of those reckless and fascinating schemes id gambling tl.at annually lick up the (ortuuea of men all over the country. In order to meet this loss lie Had Hiure been drawing from every available resource—from tlie monies in his hand* as postmaster, as treasurer of the school board, and from collections made on sale* of lands belonging to parties for whom lie was acting as agent. It is reported that he Is about 8UU0 behind in his post office account. and something like 8’AOOO with the school fund.Shortages are also reported ill other directions, but the total amount of Ids delinquencies Is not yet definitely known, it is generally believed in Williams that theanyunexpected presence of the postal officials wrought Mr. Brown up to such a pitch that, in a fit of desperation and despair, lie determined to take his life rather than face the possibilities that might result from Ills own acts. The inuiiiier of Ids death would seem to Indicate that lie enacted tlie frightful tragedy witli coolness and deiiberatioa — a thing the rational mind can liardly conceive U» he possible. His taking Hie gnu from Its place in tlie office to the freight room, then returning and going on with Ids business for a few minutes; bis subsequent return to the frolghtroom where he loaded IhiIIi barrels of the gun with duck-shot shells; taking off Ins VMt ami hat and laying them oil a table; sitting down on a box and placing the muz/le of the gun against the nipple of the left breast; pressing the trigger witli Hie strip Of a pine board wldch he held In Ids right hand all go to show great deliberation and nerve III the execution of the terrible deed he had resolved upon. It hardly * reins possible that a well-balanced mind could conceive, let alone execute, such an act as tills. But then ’ti* said that e mscience makea cowards ot us all.” and when tlie Conscience coined rest tlie man is at w ar with himself. The Imffitiug* of a cold and cheerless world may worry and annoy, hut when that bright monitor within’’ Is at case the storms of envy and the poisoned arrows of malice cannot kill.Isaac II. Ilrown was iboru In Dubuque county. Iowa, and was 87 years of age at tin- time of nm death. He leaves a wife and tliree lioya. aged respectively , in and 14 years, to mourn the loss of an affectionate Ituobaud aud the kludeal of fathers, audthe slncereat sympathies of the entire community in which he has lived no long go out for the family who are now sitting in the diaddow of this terrible and overwhelming grief. Ever since the town of Williams wa* established I. II. Brown has been Hie agent of the It It. and Kxnres* companies and postmaster, and for much of the time Jus tice or the peace, school treasurer, eic.. show that he was a man who had the iihlMMinded confl lenc- of the community, aud not until the fatal weakness mat led him Into the ueshcs of doubtful speculations was there a bre.itli of suspicion against Ids Integrity and uprlghtne-s. He stood high in the estimation of all with w hom lie came In coutact. and was unlvern ally accounted a* a man of much personal worth. We understand that Mr. Brown held life insurance policies in different companies and order* to the amount of f 12,00) or 81-1.000. most of which are made payable to his legal heira, and it U to be Imped that enough will be realized from these sources to leave In. family in comfortable circumstances and pay the honest demands against his estate.The fum-ial will take place to-day under the auspice* of tlie Odd Fellows order, of which lie was a member.ELECTRIC LIGHT.Another Corporation Organized In Du* buque.The reader* of TlIB Timkh are aware that two electric light companies have been heretofore organized in this city — the Brusli and tlie Edison companies. Both, through inanition have passe 1 into oblivion and Hie city remains without Hie modern illuminator, or Uie modus operandl of applying it. But another company lias step-ped in who means business, and have deposited a petition with the city recorder making application for the right of way through the city’s streets. Mr. E. T. Kelin and a number of gentlemen composing both former companies are members of the new organization, who Intend Investing 888,OUO at the start. The company proposes to light the city, almost as light as day; furnish light for stores and dwellings, and also furnish electrical motor power to those who need it. They will employ a large number of people, and no doubt the company, and the light it will sbed upon the city, will be bailed with delight by our citizen*. Following is theAPPLICATION Knit RIGHT OP WAV.To the Honorable Mayor and City Council:Gentlemen—The undersigned, a corporation, organized under the law* of the state of Iowa, for the purpose of erecting and maintaining an electric light plant, using Hie ate and incandescent system; also to supply power and for Hie operation of every article to which electricity can be practically ami economically applied, respectfully ask for right of wav through and across the streets and alleys for the purpose of erecting such lines, |mie* and other fixtures essential to the proper working of an electriclight system, including district and fire mitelegraph wires; such poles to be erected under the direction of tlie street committee and a plat ot proposed route to be submitted to said street committee for their approval. Tlie lines and apparatus to be constructed according to tlie rules laid down by the New York board of underwriter. Unitei* Statkh* Kmccthic Light ami Com kh Company.A DREAM.Mranar and Marillug -Is Tliere a plrll World?A remarkable dream or preternatural visitation recently occurred in loiuisville, Ky.: M/. V. E. Morera. a gentleman well aud favorably known about town, on retiring for Hu-night, feeling unwell and nervous was very restless In Ids sloop, but *eeinfd to himself to be wide awake and in full control of Ids senses. A vision appeared in his dream showing him a large flaming number commanding Him to obtain it from the lottery aud then vanished. Tlie dream wa* so startling a* to luily awaken him, and although one w ho never believedto !*•'Idribu-tlin lotu-iles or upheld them, yet try Would lie could not shake oil the via forget the numtM-rs which seemed burned In Ids brain. Finally he cal the office of the Commonwealth Di tiou Co.. and paying 81. asked for a ticket with the numbers of Id* dream on It. Fortunately the number was unsold aud Ids ticket given him. The drawing was soon to come oil and *o nervou* and excited had lie become that, although against Id* principles, lie determined to Willies* It, and strangely enough, lie saw Ins number drawn from tlie wheel and the handsome prize of 88,000 wa- Id*. Was this simply a coincidence? Whocau ted? Next drawing take* place in Louisville. Ky., May hist; l.Wu prizes, amounting to SH’J,4ou. Whole ticket* only 8”. Address K. M. Boardman, Louisville. Ky.UNEQUALED.Jlnrota'a Uoldra lllood A Liver T la «n I ucoinparable Hcmcd).• nlrWe have used Marsh’s Qdden Blood dr Liver Tonic In our family with excellent result*. For blood and liver co nplainta it is uuequaled.—(Henry L. Moore, La Crosse. WlAMarsh’ii Golden Blood A Liver Tonic Is an incomparable remedy for purifying the hlood and regulating Hie liver. 1 have used it myself and recommended it to others with unvarying success.—(JameaII. Walker. Kansas City. Mo.YourGolden Balsam for Hie tiiroat and lung*, an«U«*ldeii Blood A Liver Tonic, have curew my wife of Incipient consumption. They are the best medicines In Hie world.— I J. T. Fowler. Davenport, Iowa Marsh’s Golden Blood «v Liver Tonic and Marsh’* Golden Balsam, are tor sale by J. W. Coy, druggist. Dubuque. I.arge bottles fill cents and 81. W. II. Torberl. wholesale agent.Hiaie liltVr rally.Tlie commencement exercises of the State University of Iowa, will commence on Thursday. June 14lh and continue until Hie ‘Jdtli. Follow ing is the progiam:Thursday. June 14- l“Ubflc examination of law class. I* a. m.Friday. June 15.— Regent meet, 10 a. in.; Battalion dull and purade. 4 p.m.; Anniversary ol literary societies, i*. in..Saturday. June 10—Chancellor's closing address, 3 p. lu.Sunday, June 17—Baccalaureate address,inday, June 1.— Cla*«-lay exercises, 3 p. in. Commencement address Hon. Emory A. Moira, Chicago. p. m.Tuesday, June 19-Gnhinntlug exercise* law class, Da. in. Memorial services for tlie late President Slagle. Address by Chancellor Ross, p. m. Meeting of Alumni. 4 p. in. Alumni oration. James G. Kerry 111 II. Esq., Dr* Moines. Alumni Doem, Ella A. Hamilton, A. M. Des Moines, 7 p. ui. President** reception, 0 p. m.Wednesday. June 30-Collegiate commencement, 0::so a. ui.Tlie next collegiate and law term begins Septcuilier 18, 1883. Medical term begins (»ciober 3. For catalogue apply toJ. L. ITcKAitu, President. •STATETin Ciiiciishop in Cli^milled and aThe May t« inosa on tin small and tin on the enleudCeilar Rapi started out I Jib’ll. 13. am They broke iIntent.Two hoys I book eontali on lh«- lli step* to find i for their InmOmwwA found a gold not content v mineral well, strong. The all that.PlIOIIA IH.Y much Judge lWl» Judge ested ill thlm sided in this rhsl ton yean Des Moines.Till: Iowa ably patroulz instead of g. spend a weel lltli b. IIh. tlou social ii good tilings, posed for a'eA gent leu dentally met, on the Hi in seen for elgh living in Cli niuw ated » The two had called her n* mutual.A train on railway had lust. A dro\ lA-ar Silver C eaine uj-.n tl stop so tlie ei tie und went eight were kl ran forward i Into the creel roiled ami th-tlieir iwrtl.At the sal pany of th* pieces were « side** llie fun tlo-n- w a* a | age contain** t.-r. The l.-t Rapids, and i not write her hand had got ken the hearAN lt;«v**i. tlie annual ci Male Unlver commence Ju The com men i*l by Hon. i M«nda\, theJame* G. It Hamilton, bn day. I hams ! nddre** I--?..] I«rtiiieril.Is- in attenda Tiikhk Usfengine with at any game II might Isas you plea*ease. Th*-t.qq.ed lie the hr .k. ii ami kilhslMAIL AN IDU IIEasier ii malt-W. -iern mull Northern mm •Ilith-TU in 1.1ARRIVAL11.1,1s Passenger e« AocoiuuiimUi Passenger wlt; Aecominodai . 111. *•«. Ml I’noM nger I’m— engrr su Passenger in Passenger nlt; Volga lira mi■i.i.t * l’a**enger ca Accomiuodat AccouiiModal Passenger wlt; Aecoiu modal I 1111*00, Ml Passs. uger, a Passenger so Passenger no Passenger no Volga I! ram iGBEBush's BMANUFAOoxcCIGAK !WaDECThe latest r Our prices arsigns slid cohSherwin-The LTRIDecorators.1*70 IOrders fronPI I
Newspaper Details
Dubuque Times
Dubuque, Iowa, US
Sat, May 12, 1883
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Mount P.
IL, USA 04 Feb 2018
Other Publications Near Dubuque, Iowa
Sunday Morning Telegraph
Dubuque Daily Telegraph
Dubuque Daily Herald
Dubuque Democratic Herald
Dubuque Witness
