DROZ, Louis Joseph 1858 - 1914

DROZ, ROTH, WITKOSKI, CAMPBELL, SCHAFFER, LODGE, REINICHE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/29/2021 at 21:34:53

"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Monday, March 9th, 1914
Page 2, column 2

SUICIDE AT BATAVIA

Louis DROZ was found dead in his home in Batavia at 2 p.m. yesterday. Mr. DROZ who lived alone in a cottage on the outskirts of Batavia was last seen February 19th, and as he had been working at the Louden Machinery plant here it was supposed he was in this cly (sic - city). He had committed suicide, a shot gun being the weapon used.

When Mr. DROZ failed to return to his home over Sunday it was decided to investigate. Marshall Frank Gillis and Neal Brown went to the DROZ cottage yesterday afternoon and looking in at a window saw Mr. DROZ's lifeless form on the bed. Dr. Baldridge was sent for and the men then broke into the house.

Mr. DROZ, whose death must evidently have occurred two or three weeks ago, had been shot near the heart with one charge from a double barreled shot gun. The gun was at his side and suicide was indicated. Coroner C. C Tallman and Sheriff Shan Campbell were called.

An inquest was held by Coroner Tallman and the wound was found to have been self-inflicted.

Mr. DROZ was the son of the late George DROZ, and was 54 years of age. He was a man of unusual height being six foot and six inches tall. He was a member of the local order of Owls.

Mr .DROZ (sic) leaves three brothers Frank and Joe of this city, and Dr. A. J. DROZ of Keota, and four sisters Mrs. John ROTH, Mrs. Frank WITKOSKI of this city, Mrs. John CAMPBELL of Birmingham, and Mrs. F. X. SCHAFFER of Eugene, Oregon.

The remains will be brought to this city tomorrow for burial.

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Tuesday, March 10, 1914
Page 3, Column 2

L. DROZ DIED IN BATAVIA; FUNERAL TODAY

The remains of Louis DROZ, whose dead body was found in his home in Batavia Sunday were brought here today. A brief service was held at the grave in charge of Rev. H. J. Hogan. Burial was in Evergreen cemetery.

Mr. DROZ was well known throughout the county and well liked by all with whom he was acquainted. For a time recently he has been employed at the plant of the Louden Machinery Co., in Fairfield.

As stated in yesterday's Journal the cornoer's (sic) jury found that the wound was self-inflicted. An error in the heading of the article made it appear that death was due to suicide. Such does not seem to be the case and the coroner's jury was unable to ascertain whether or not the shot was the result of an accident. Mr. DROZ lived alone and was not able to call any assistance following the shot ,which (sic) was inflicted by the shot gun with which he so often hunted. The accident has caused a gloom to spread over the community in which he lived.

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, March 15, 1914
Front Page, Column 1

LOUIS DROZ SHOOTS SELF AT BATAVIA
Louis DROZ Found Dead at Batavia last Sabbath Afternoon

SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT
Had Been Dead For Two or Three Weeks Before Body Was Found--Buried Here Tuesday.

The body of Louis DROZ was found at his home in Batavia Sab- Afternoon (sic). According to the verdict of the coroners jury he "came to his death by gunshot at his own hands, whether by accident or with suicidal intent we are not able to ascertain."

Mr. DROZ lived alone at Batavia and although his absense had been noticed it was supposed that he was at Fairfield working in the Louden Factory. Last Sabbath, however, two of his intimate friends, Frank Gillis and Neal Brown called at his home to find out for a certainty whether or not he was there. After knocking on the door, to which they received no response, they looked in at his bedroom window and saw Mr. DROZ laying on the bed with a shot gun at his side. Dr. Baldridge was called and the door was broken in . The body was taken to the Davidson Undertaking parlors and Coroner C. C. Tallman and Sheriff Campbell were called. An inquest was held and verdict of the jury was as stated above.

Another fact brought out at the inquest was that death had occurred some two weeks before.

Mr. DROZ was fond of hunting and although there was no evidence against the opinion that it might have been suicide, it is thought that he was preparing to go hunting when the accidental discharge of the gun ended his life.

Louis DROZ was a son of the late George DROZ and was fifty-four years old. He had made his home in Batavia for the last five years.

Three brothers, Frank and Joe of this city and Dr. DROZ of Keota, and four sisters, Mrs. John ROTH and Mrs. Frank WITKOSKY, of this city; Mrs. John CAMPBELL of Birmingham, and Mrs. F. X. SCHAEFER of Eugene, Ore., survive him.

Short services, conducted by Father Hogan, were held over the remains at the grave in the Evergreen cemetery.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.027. He had been married to Dora LODGE on February 13, 1889. He was a son of George A. and Mary V. REINICHE DROZ. When and where Dora died and was buried is not known at the time of this posting.