Peick, Adolph 1828-1893

PEICK

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/23/2019 at 17:17:56

In our Elkport correspondence will be found the particulars of the sad suicide of Adoph Peick, at Elkport, on Saturday last. Mr. Peick was an old soldier, a member of the 16th Iowa, and in one of the early battles of the late war was severely wounded. For this and other disabilities he received a pension which continued until last fall, when for some reason, unknown to himself or friends, he was dropped from the pension list. Although by the efforts of Congressman Butler he had been replaced upon the list, yet being in poor health and mourning over the death of an adopted child he grew despondent and this has caused him to commit the deed for which he evidently made preparation.

~Elkader Register, Thursday, April 13, 1893 (Local news column)

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Our people were startled Saturday evening about six o'clock by the report that Adolph Peick had shot himself, and upon investigation we found the following facts:

About half past 5 o'clock Saturday evening Mr. Peick requested his wife to go down stairs and get him a bottle of beer, as he would rather remain upstairs where he could get better air. She complied with the request, and went down stairs. She had not been down but a few minutes wen she heard a shot. She at once ran over to a neighbor, Mrs. Herman, who had also heard the shot, and asked her to go over and they would see what was the matter. They tried the door of the room in which Mr. Peick was and found it was locked.

They called to him and receiving no answer a messenger was sent for Dr. Kriebs, who upon arrival ordered the door broken in and upon entering found the body of Mr. Peick lying upon the floor with a bullet hole in his head. Upon closer examination the doctor found that he had been dead but a few minutes.

It was decided to hold an inquest and Justice Kriebs, acting coroner, empaneled the following jury: M. Costigan, C. Schnepf, and H. Mueller. After thorough investigation the above facts were elicited and the jury brought in a verdict of suicide.

About two months ago Mr. Peick fell and severely injured his leg with which he has been laid up ever since and caused him great pain, and also with the fact that his pension had been taken away from him, so preyed upon him as to cause him to commit the deed.

About a month ago he tried to commit suicide by taking poison, but the timely arrival of the doctor saved him, but the second attempt was more successful.

Mr. Peick was an old resident of Clayton county, and a soldier of the late rebellion, in which he was several times wounded. The funeral took place Monday, his remains being taken to Littleport for burial. His bereaved family have the sympathy of all in their sad affliction. May he rest in peace.

~Elkader Register, Thursday, April 13, 1893 (Elkport and Vicinity Correspondence)