August Arend Obit and Suicide

August Arend Obit and Suicide

Lewis County Journal Monticello, Missouri • Fri, Jan 7, 1921 Page 1

La Grange Man Commits Suicide 

August Arend, a resident of La Grange for about 45 years committed suicide Wednesday morning by drinking carbolic at his home in the south part of the town says the La Grange indicator. In the room with him at the time was his young grandson Maurice son of Mr. and Mrs, Edward Arend of Davenport, Ia. the family having come down week previously for a visit with the elder Arend, who lived alone. Mr. and Mrs. Arend had been out of the room but a short time when the deed committed, and though they summoned aid when they found him upon their return, he was too far gone for recovery. 

What caused the aged man to take his life is not known. Though given to moods of depondency perhaps all of his life, he had shown no sign of being out of his right mind, and he had just returned from a trip down in town and seemed in good spirits shortly before drinking the fatal dose. While he had told his son a few days ago, that three times last winter he went to the river bank with the intention of ending his life. refraining from doing so only because he shrank from a watery grave and wanted to be laid by the side of his wife. The son gave this admission little heed because in past years he had frequently heard his father wish he were one of the way. 

That it was not financial straits which caused the decedent to take his life is attested by the fact that about $530 in cash has been found about the house since his death. While undertaker Arthur Roberts and Fred Solter, a neighbor, were at the Arend house Wednesday. Edward Arend, acting upon a hint he had received from his father requested them to assist him in search for any money that might have been hidden about the place. They found it carelessly bestowed in unexpected places, easily discovered. In the drawer of the kitchen safe were eight-odd dollars in silver on which a thick coating of dust had settled. In two ordinary memorandum books in clothing hanging around the house was currency to the amount of $270. In a machine drawer was a little bag of gold containing $42.50. The remainder of the money was found in various places. Besides these resources Mr Arends sons had shown their readiness to look after him. so that his determination to end his life need not have been due to poverty. A short time before he drank the acid Mr Arend had called for a tablet and after writing in German a message to his son John Arend of Hamilton, Il, had headed it to his son Edward for delivery. The message has been variously translated one translation being that God required the presence of his soul more than it was required on earth by his sons. 

The decedent was born in Germany in 1851 but lived here most of his life. He was married in 1876 to Miss Fredericka Meyer of LaGrange, who died in 1890. Of their five sons four are living, John Arend of Hamilton, Il, August Arend of Keokuk, Otto Arend in this county and Edward Arend at Davenport, Ia., George Arend having died at Windsor, Ontario Canada last February. The decedents second wife was Miss Anna Klusmeier, also of LaGrange who died about 19 years ago. 

The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of the community.