Theodore Goetzalman, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Theodore Goetzalman
HE WAS WEARY OF LIFE.
Theodore Goetzalman, A Porter Saloon Keeper, Gets a Ticket For Eternity Over the Strychnine Route.
Last Thursday night Theodore Goetzalman, better known perhaps as "Butcher Fritz," a Porter saloon keeper, took an overdose of strychnine with suicidal intent, and died at 11 o'clock that night. He was terribly crippled with rheumatism, and a great sufferer. It seems that he made up his mind several days ago to kill himself, for he told several that he was tired of life, and intended to jump the game. Monday night he treated a number of men in Porter, and while they were drinking, told them it would be the last drink they would ever take with him. Shortly after he went home, and tried to shoot himself, but his wife took the revolver away from him. The next evening, while she was out, Goetzalman got a bottle of strychnine dissolved in acetic acid, that he had bought of Dr. Gray, some five months before, and swallowed the contents. He then locked the saloon, and went up-stairs, where he and his wife keep house. He locked the doors also, and laid down to die.
About 8 o'clock Mrs. Goetzalman returned, and on finding everything shut up, procured a ladder, and got in through an upstairs window. Goetzalman at this time was in great agony. Dr. Corey was summoned, but arrived too late, and after four hours of fearful agony, the suicide expired. Coroner Coates was notified, and held an inquest over the remains Wednesday afternoon. After hearing the evidence, he rendered a verdict of death by poisoning with suicidal intent. The funeral was held Thursday at one o'clock, and the remains buried in the Chesterton cemetery.
Goetzalman has been a resident of Porter for a number of years, and came there from Michigan city. The supposed reason for his rash act was despondency caused by sickness. In his circle he had a good many friends. He leaves no family excepting a wife.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: May 15, 1891
Volume Number: 8
Issue Number: 5
Page: 1
Column(s): 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