Coughlin, David 1852 - 1908

COUGHLIN, KIRKLAND

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/15/2022 at 09:25:29

Source: Decorah Republican July 23, 1908 P3 C3

SUICIDE AT FREEPORT!
DAVID COUGHLIN TAKES CARBOLIC ACID WITH FATAL EFFECT
HOME TROUBLE MAY BE CAUSE
Said He Was Going Away and Swallowed Dose in Presence of His Father-in-Law
The village of Freeport was thrown into a fever of excitement Saturday evening, when David Coughlin put an end to his life by swallowing a dose of carbolic acid.
As is well known to many Mr. Coughlin has long been very deaf, so deaf in fact that to communicate with him it had become necessary to use paper and pencil in order to make him understand. Whether his affliction had become more than he could stand, or his mind had become unsound, is a matter of conjecture, but recently he has been drinking more or less and was so mean to his wife that she left him a few days ago. As his son, who is employed at the Fibre Co. mill, had taken up his residence in Decorah this left Coughlin alone.
Saturday he made three trips to Decorah, returning home from the last one about 8 o’clock. From subsequent disclosures it is evident that he had made preparations to take his life. He went over to his father-in-law, George Kirkland, and telling him he intended to go away, asked Mr. Kirkland to come to his (Coughlin’s) house, as he had some things he wished to place in his care. Mr. Kirkland went over in a few minutes, and as he entered the house Coughlin was seated on a sofa, in front of him a chair on which were two glasses apparently containing water. When Coughlin saw Kirkland he picked up one of the glasses and exclaimed “Here goes,” and drank its contents. Sinking down on the sofa he said “It’s all over now.” Mr. Kirkland could not believe the man had done so rash an act as to attempt suicide, but asked, “You haven’t taken poisen{sic}, have you?” Of course, Coughlin couldn’t hear him, but when Mr. Kirkland brought up a glass of water he motioned him away. He then realized that he had seen a tragedy enacted and at once called for help, but as the telephone service was out of order before a doctor could be summoned Coughlin was dead.
Sheriff Qualley was notified and in the absence of Coroner Swezey Justice Gibson was impressed to hold an inquest. The examination resulted in the finding of an empty bottle bearing a carbolic acid label. On the stand was the dead man’s pocket book, watch and a note directing that all of his property be given to his wife. On one of his trips to Decorah he had purchased a new black suit. The trousers he had put on but the coat and vest hung on a chair, still bearing the clothier’s marks. The remaining glass on the chair also contained acid, the one from which the dead man drank having evidently contained some sugar. The circumstances all pointed to a deliberately planned suicide
Coughlin was fifty-six years old. His principal occupation during the past year had been hauling flax straw to the fibre mill.

Source: Decorah Republican July 23, 1908 P7 C3

The funeral of Mr. Coughlin was held at their home Tuesday morning. Rev. McVettie of Decorah officiating.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born in 1852 and is buried in the Freeport Cemetery.

Freeport Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen