“Hegnauer Was Bound to Die”

[Newspapers.com files the Rochester Union and Advertiser of 1899 under its later title. This evening paper calls George Logeman Jacob's "son" and Mrs. Logeman his "daughter-in-law". The next morning's Rochester Herald (18 Jul 1899, p. 7, image 1332888109: "HANGED HIMSELF. Aged Jacob Hegneur Was Bound to End His Life.") has the relationship the other way round, and rightly: "the residence of his daughter, Mrs. George Logeman, 23 Rugraff Park". The Democrat and Chronicle's report of 18 Jul 1899, p. 8 (image 135309807), is headed "WAS BOUND TO DIE. Hegnauer, Failing to Hang Himself, Ended Life With a Bullet."]

HEGNAUER WAS BOUND TO DIE

When the Rope Broke He Shot Himself.

He Had Been Despondent Since His Wife Died, Three Years Ago.

Dead Body Discovered in the Attic This Morning by Daughter-in-Law.

Jacob Hegnauer, aged 74 years, was discovered lying dead in the attic of the home of his son, George Logeman, No. 23 Rugraff Park, by Mrs. Logeman, shortly after 7 o'clock this morning. The old man had been dead for some time.

Hegnauer made his home with his son and had done so since the death of his wife, three years ago. During most of that time he had been very despondent over the loss of his aged helpmate. He was also a great sufferer from rheumatism, which added to his despondency. But he had never talked of suicide, for his son and daughter-in-law made everything as comfortable and as pleasant as possible for him.

Yesterday Mr. Logeman and his family went to the bay for a day's outing. They left the old man at home. He was feeling pretty well and was in good spirits when they left. They returned home late last evening and did not see the old man. As it was his custom to retire early they thought he had gone to bed.

This morning when Mr. Logeman left for work shortly before 7 o'clock his father had not appeared. His usual hour for rising is 7 o'clock and when he did not appear at that time Mrs. Logeman went to his room. He did not answer her call and she entered the room. She found that the bed had not been disturbed. She was not much frightened at this, as she thought he had probably gone to the residence of another son who lived near by. Asking some of the neighboring women, she was informed that he had not been seen since yesterday noon.

Upon being informed of this she went back and searched the house. Going up to the attic she found his dead body lying on the floor. She screamed at the sight and neighbors who came running in found that the old man was dead.

He had fastened a rope to one of the crossbeams of the attic. Making a noose in it, he had mounted a small saw horse and adjusted the noose about his neck. But when he kicked the sawhorse from under his feet the rope had broken. It is supposed that he then went down stairs and procuring his revolver, a 38-calibre American bulldog, returned to the attic, where he shot himself. The bullet entered the roof of his mouth. Death must have been instantaneous, as he had lost but a small quantity of blood.

Coroner Kleindienst was notified and immediately went to the house. Upon making an investigation he found the facts as related in the foregoing and issued a certificate of death by shooting himself while despondent.