August Fahrnheim, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
August Fahrnheim
A FATAL STABBING FRACAS.
LAPORTE THE SCENE OF IT.
August Fahrnheim The Victim. A Coroner's Jury Acquits His Slayers.
Michigan City Dispatch.
Late Saturday night LaPorte was the scene of a terrible [print smudged beyond recognition], the facts of which are given by Mr. Darling, and are as follows:
The particulars which led to the committing of the crime are hard to obtain, but in the main are as follows: Saturday night about 11:30 the attention of Night Police Meining was attracted by loud talk and scuffling in the alley to the west of Dick's saloon. Crossing the street he found a number of men, among whom were Henry Farnheim, his son, August, and John and Charles Koepke, engaged in loud talk, the nature of which he was unable to learn. On the approach of the officer the Koepkes skulked away, as though afraid of arrest. August Farnheim, saying to his father "hold my coat while I lick the d-d _______," and made after them. The Koepkes started to run, but Farnheim who was fleet of foot succeeded in coming up with Chas. Koepke on the city hall corner. He knocked him down and then struck him in the face several times. Meining then arrived upon the scene and separated the two, not until Fahrnheim had again struck Koepke, who attempted to rise to his feet. Farhnheim broke loose from Meining, running down the street rapidly in search of John Koepke, who had run ahead. He came up with him in front of Lange's grocery store and here that clinched, and the awful deed was done. Chas. Koepke had in the meantime arrived on the scene. At this point the deepest mystery envelopes the case. It is alleged by some that Chas. Koepke handed his brother a knife, and then again is believed by many that John had the knife in his pocket and only used it to save his own life. The knife was driven with terrible force into Fahrnheim's breast, reaching the heart. After committing the awful deed the Koepke boys broke away, and made for the western part of the city.
Fahrnheim advanced a few steps and fell to the sidewalk, the blood gushing forth from the hole and in his breast in a perfect torrent. Mr. Farhnheim when he saw the lifeless form of his boy, exclaimed: "My God, the Koepke boys have killed my August," and fell forward on the lifeless form of his boy, giving vent to loud cries of deepest anguish. Deputy Sheriff Shaffer, Marshall Middledorf and Policeman Parkinson from the east and were summoned and the search for the fugitives began. They were readily tracked to the Park school house, where they were arrested. The Koepkes offered no resistance, and appeared perfectly dazed when they found themselves inmates the county jail. On the person of John Koepke a small knife was found, but no stains of blood were to be found upon it. The body of Farhnheim has in the meantime been born to Ball's undertaking establishment by willing hands. His clothes removed it and on the body were found for cuts, three in the legs and the one which caused death.
All parties were considerably under the influence intoxicants. Both the Koepkes are married men and their families are nearly heartbroken with grief. The coroner's inquest began Monday morning before Deputy Coroner Annis. The first witness was officer Meining, who being sworn disposes as says: "I am employed as a night policeman by the city of LaPorte and was on duty the night of the 21st. About 11:20 p. m. I was standing on the corner of Main and Madison streets with John Regentine. I heard the remark made in a loud voice that "my name is Charlie Koepke." This was repeated twice. I saw a crowd of ten or fifteen men standing in front of the alley between Madison street and Indiana avenue. I then ran up toward the men, when they separated and I saw two of them lying on the sidewalk. When I got there I found these two men to be Charles and John Koepke. They got up and started toward the city hall. By this time a large crowd had gathered and I could not get to the men who had been fighting. I then saw August Fahrnheim running after the Koepke boys. He came up with them at the city hall corner. He knocked Chas. Koepke. I grabbed Fahrnheim but he broke loose and started after John. I next saw him falling in front of Kellerman's store. There were two or three men near where he fell, but I did not know who they were. I went up to Fahrnheim and saw he was badly hurt. I went after Dr. Ludwif. Did not see Koepke after that.
[print smudged beyond recognition] past 11:00 p .m. on April 21 we started home and when we reached the alley to the west of Dick's saloon we was a fight a going. We saw the two Koepke boys and Chas. Saisey, and I heard Saisey say: "What do you follow me up for?" Then Dick told Saisey to let up, and come in the saloon, which he did. My son August and myself remained standing near the corner of Dick's saloon. The first thing I noticed saw when John Koepke struck August and said: "You _____ _____ _____, I have it in for you." I then said to Koepke, "What did you strike August for?" He answered, but I could not understand what he said, and he struck me over the eye. August then took hold of my arm and said: "Pa, just hold my coat and vest. I will get even with them." He then went after them, and came up with them on the city hall corner. I don't know whether he struck them or not. When I came up I saw Iaugust running west on Main street. The last I saw of John Koepke was in front of Dick's saloon. I followed August westward as far as Zeltner's, where I saw August fighting; I don't know who with. I heard Saisey say, "Look out for him, he has a big knife in his hand." In a moment August passed me and drop down. I went up to him. He was lying on his face. I turned him over and tried to make him speak. He was bleeding badly, and I did not say anything. I don't know who stabbed him."
The following day the inquest was resumed, and resulted in the acquittal the Koepke boys.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: April 26, 1888
Volume Number: 5
Issue Number: 2
Page: 4
Column(s): 2-4
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook