Person:Karl Keller (5)

Last evening, a little after 6 o'clock, Charles L. Keller committed suicide at his home, 224 West Main street, by shooting himself through the head with a thirty two calibre revolver. The deceased had been in poor health for the last two years. Three weeks ago he was taken down with la grippe, and this bringing on neuralgic pains in the head and suffering, distracted his mind to such an extent that he determined to end his life. He had been attended by Dr. Geo. C. Stemen during his sickness and yesterday afternoon it was thought that he was gradually improving in health. Last evening, a little before 6 o'clock, he sat up in bed to eat the appetizing supper which his wife had provided for hi. He had finished his meal and his wife had departed from the room, when he arose from the bed, went to a bureau in the room, and took from it a revolver. He returned to the bed, and lying down, placed the muzzle of the weapon directly over his right templ and fired. The report of the revolver was heard by his step-son, Charles Howenstein, and rushing to his room, he found his grandfather breathing his last, with the revolver still in his hand. He died in a few moments.
The deceased was born in Switzerland seventy-two years ago, and with his wife sailed for America thirty-five years ago. He located in Fort Wayne and engaged in the manufacture of files, which vocation he pursued till six years ago, when old age compelled him to retire from the active pursuits of life. He has lived since that time on the income of his property, which consists of tenement houses in various parts of the city. Two years ago he sustained a partial stroke of paralysis which affected his left side. He has been an invalid since that time, although able to be about.
The deceased leaves a wife, sixty-two years old, and seven children, as follows: Charles Keller, of Utah; Amiel and Louis, of Helena, Mont.; Mrs. Caroline Voor, of Delphos, Ohio; Mrs. Lizzie Beahrs, Mrs. Emma Meyerhofer and Albert Keller, of this city.
Coroner Kesler held an inquest last night and the verdict was in accordance with the above facts.

Charles C. Keller, a Gray Haired Pioneer Resident of this City, Sends a Bullet Through His Brain
Last evening at 6:30 o'clock Charles C. Keller shot himself through the head with a revolver and died a few moments later, at his home, 224 West Main street.
The deceased was born in Switzerland seventy-two years ago, and with his wife sailed for America thirty-five years ago. He located in Fort Wayne and engaged in the manufacture of files, which vocation he pursued until six years ago, when old age compelled him to retire from the active pursuits of life. He has lived since that tie on the income of his property, which consists of tenement houses in various parts of the city. Two years ago he sustained a partial stroke of paralysis which afffected his left side. He has been an invalid since that time, although able to go about. Three weeks ago he was prostrated with an attack of la grippe, which superinduced neuralgic pains of the head and also at times almost drove him to distraction. Dr. Geo. C. Stemen attended and a few days ago pronounced the patient out of danger, althoguh he was still confined to his bed in a weakened condition. Last evening the patient sat upright in bed and at 6 o'clock his aged wife proved for him a delicate lunch. The sick man partook of the luncheon with an apparent relish. No sooner had the loving, watchful wife left the sick chamber, than the husband arose from his bed, walked to the bureau and from a drawer took his 32-calibre revolver. He returned to his bed and stretched himself upon the spread. He raised his right hand and placed the muzzle of the weapon on the right temple and pulled the trigger.
The report of the gun was heard by his step-son, Charles Howenstein, who rushed to the bedside. His grandfather gasped for breath, uttered a gurgling sound and expired. The revolver still smoked in his hand. Blood flowed from the ugly, powder-stained wound above his right eye, streaking his white locks with a crimson red, and dropping upon the gray beard which covered his face, making his wrinkled countenance more ghastly in sleep.
The cause for the act is not known. His family have been very attentive to him during his illness, and his wife had just left his bedside, cheered by the signs of improvement in his condition.
The deceased leaves a wife sixty-two years old. Of the ten children seven survive: Charles Keller of Utah; Amiel and Louis, of Helena, Mont.; Mrs. Caroline Voor, of Delphos, Ohio; Mrs. Lizzie Beahra, Mrs. Emma Meyerhofer and Albert Keller, of this city.
Dr. Stemen was interviewed last evening and stated that the man was no doubt suffering from neuralgic pains in the head, and was temporarily insane when the act was committed.

About 6:15 last evening the family of Charles C. Keller, of the rear of 224 West Main Street, heard the report of a pistol. They thought that it had been fired by some one on the Nickel Plate tracks, and for a few minutes thought nothing of it.
Shortly after the report was heard Charles Howenstein, the grandson of Mr. Keller, entered his gather's room and was horrified to see him on his bed cold in death. He at once called the rest of the family to the scene of the sad event.
For the past two years Mr. Keller has been in poor health, and recently has been partially paralyzed and a sufferer from kidney troubles. He has been able to be about a portion of the time, but has suffered greatly. To a GAZETTE reporter his wife said she had no idea that he contemplated so terrible an act. She had left him but a few minutes before and she thinks he must have gone to the bureau nad then returned to the bed with the revolver concealed. The bullet entered the right temple and from the position and appearance of the wound death must have been instantaneous.
Mr. Keller was an old resident of this city. He was 71 years of age last September and with his wife had lived here thirty years, having come together from Germany four years earlier. He was known by almost everybody, being of a genial disposition and everyone will be surprised that he should meet death by his own hand. The scene presented at the house was indeed a sad one. A white-haired, old man bathed in his own blood, and aged grief-stricken wife and mother mourning her husband, and the sorrowing family standing around presented, indeed, a somber picture. No cause for the rash deed, save that of continued illness, could be assigned and the family felt the blow to be a terrible one.

Section T

All information on document about the death of Charles Celestine Keller sr's son; Charley Celestine Keller (jr).
Section: Personal and statistical particulars,
Document lists: name of father: Chas Celistine Keller
Document lists: Birthplace of Father: Switzerland

Line 29: Carl Keller, Age 38, male, occupation: farmer, country of origin: Switzerland, destination: Indiana