Joseph Ritter, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Joseph Ritter
WAS IT SUICIDE.
The Sad End of a Boy Who Ran Away From Home.
Joseph Ritter, the fourteen year old son of Joh Ritter, a farmer living south of Valparaiso, was brought home dead last Thursday, his body being found in the Little Calumet river at the railroad bridge, near the Highlands, Hammond. A section man on the Chicago & Atlantic named Max Crawford, first discovered the body, and reported the fact to Marshal Walker, of Hammond, who went to the spot indicated, and found the young man hanging by an arm over one of the timber braces of the bridge, face and feet in the water that was about three feet deep. The body was disengaged and a pistol shot wound discovered in the right breast about an inch above the nipple and a 32-caliber revolver was seen in the river under where the corpse had half stood and half hung. The body was readily recognized by a Mr. Neff, for whom the lad had been working, and word was sent his parents.
Young Ritter ran away from home during the latter part of last April, and since that time, his father has searched diligently for him without avail, and the first news brought home of the boy since he left was the news of his death. The boy told his companions in Hammond that his relations with a step-mother were disagreeable and that he never would return home again. From expressions he made, and from the position of the body, it is believed that he committed suicide. The remains were taken to Valparaiso Thursday evening, and taken to his father's residence and the funeral held Friday.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: August 22, 1889
Volume Number: 6
Issue Number: 19
Page: 1
Column(s): 5
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