Chris Aultman (-1908)

AULTMAN, ALTON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/20/2008 at 11:31:25

Collins Gazette, Collins, Story County, Iowa, July 2, 1908.

Presumptive Suicide

A special to the Des Moines Capital says:

The body of a stranger about 45 years old was found dead in bed at about noon Monday by Landlord Markham of Newhall. The body is that of a man about 45 years, dark complexioned, bald headed, smooth shaven and with a slight deformity in the right ankle. A five ounce bottle of some kind of an acit was in the room with two-thirds of the contents gone and the presumption of suicide is strong. The man had in his pockets $2.51, a ticket from Keystone to Newhall and a razor. Inquiry at Keystone reveals the fact that he was there Friday, claiming to be from Collins, and to one or two gave his name as Alton.

The man was in Collins about a week, was destitute of means or home and was in serious condition of health. He knew nobody here and was evasive or reticent in answering inquiries. Our peole treated him with kindness. The township trustees provided him with hotel accommodation and board and medical advice and medicine. He was suffering from bronchial asthma and his temperature was 103. He refused to take the medicine and was evidently intent on suicide, as he tried twice, but ineffectually to get nitric acid in a drug store. He evidently had seen better days. His history, which was gathered with great difficulty from him, was as follows:

He was a German butcher, coming when a youth from the old country with a party of fellow tradesman to Davenport, Iowa, where they embarked in the meat business; but by a stroke of ill fortune the firm became insolvent. Since that time he has been working at packing establishments in the large cities, the last one of which he worked in being Omaha. Since leaving Omaha he worked at Panama, Iowa, and came from there to Sheldahl to visit an old friend, a business man in that town. From there he came to Collins.

He wanted to reach a German settlement, so his fare was paid to Keystone. He gave his name here as Chris Aultman.