Bolsinger, William D. died 1879

BOLSINGER, GEISELMAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/10/2021 at 11:10:10

Elkader Register, Thur., 03 July 1879. Special from our Osterdock correspondent.

William D. Bolsinger Hangs Himself.

Our little community was startled Sunday by the announcement that William D. Bolsinger, a young man, well known in this community, had committed suicide.

Shortly after the announcement Justice Hill empaneled a jury, consisting of John Collins, H. C. Spangler and Francis Palmer, and held an inquest. From the witnesses examined the following facts were elicited. On Sunday the deceased had attended Sabbath school at the Hopewell church, returning about noon. His fathers family being absent, he went to the home of his sister, Mrs. Geiselman. He picked some cherries in the orchard, and then went into the house and commenced reading a newspaper; shortly afterward he left the house and walked toward the barn, which was the last seen of him alive. A few minutes afterwards, Miss Geiselman, who was the only person present, followed him, and there found him hanging by the neck - dead. She at once summoned assistance, and the body was taken down. He was hung by a rope about five feet in length, one end of which was fastened to a rafter. It is supposed from the surrounding circumstances that he climbed up the wall, which is of logs, adjusted the rope and then took the fatal jump. The deceased was an exemplary young man, and as he left no explanation of his conduct, it was supposed that he committed suicide in a fit of temporary insanity, and so decided by the jury. He was been weak minded for a number of years, and was at one time an inmate of the hospital at Independence, and of late his mind was constantly failing; his physical constitution with it. He has at times been totally oblivious to all that was going on around him. He was a single man 31 years of age. His untimely death is a severe blow to his aged parents, who have the sympathy of all in their sad trial.