Fulton County IN Archives Obituaries.....Newhouse, Christian "Prussia" August 1880
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Laurie Lewis lewishouse@rtcol.com November 15, 2011, 11:03 am

The Rochester Sentinel
Saturday, August 21, 1880

Quite a ripple of excitement was created on the streets Thursday evening by 
the report that Christian NEWHOUSE, or "Prussia" as he is more familiarly 
called, had been found dead under an apple tree in his lot. The report was 
soon confirmed and much speculation was indulged in as to the cause of his 
sudden taking off. The deceased was a German 68 years of age who came to this 
country in 1850, and for many years has been a resident of Rochester. He was 
fond of his "schnaps" and beer, and often indulged immoderately, and at other 
times was the leader of the Blue Ribbon society. He was industrious, and 
notwithstanding his dissipation, he provided well for himself and family and 
squandered but little of his means with which he was pretty well supplied, 
having considerable personal property and a good farm in this county. As a 
citizen he was well respected and furnished the boys many a hearty laugh by 
his droll sayings and peculiar actions. For three weeks he has been 
complaining of bad health which his emaciated appearance clearly indicated was 
not affected by him, yet he was upon the streets every day. Thursday forenoon 
he was in unusually good spirits and called on his daughter, Mrs. J[oseph] 
[Elisabeth NEWHOUSE] SIDMORE, but displayed much surprise and disappointment 
that she with her husband had not returned from Chicago where they had been 
attending the Knight Templar conclave. He fondly caressed the children and 
took his leave. Just before noon of the same day he called at PELLENS' drug 
store and stated that the rats about his barn were very bad and that he wanted 
something to drive away or kill the pests. The druggist offered him some 
patent preparation, that was refused on the ground that he had tested it and 
it was not effective. He concluded to try strychnine and a small quantity was 
put up and labeled. In a short time he returned and inquired if he had not 
left his cane in the store and upon being informed that he had not, he went 
off with none of the symptoms of a man who was about to commit suicide. He 
went to dinner at the residence of Mrs. NEWHOUSE, the lady from whom he had 
been divorced a few years ago, and with whom he has been boarding, and ate a 
hearty meal. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon he was drinking at the artesian 
well and from there he went to his barn and remained a few minutes. When he 
came out of the barn he took a blanket and spreading it under an apple tree, 
laid down upon it. He had not been there an hour until he was discovered to be 
in great agony and distress. From there he was conveyed to the house where one 
convulsion followed another until his death which occurred at 5:30 o'cloc.
Yesterday an examination of the premises was made and in the barn was found a 
portion of the poison he purchased the day before. A cup was with it and it is 
supposed that there is where he took the deadly drug and just previous to 
taking a reclining position under the tree. His sufferings were intense and 
all the medical assistance that was rendered was of no avail to save his life. 
No cause is assigned by any of his friends for his rash act. It is true he had 
seen many of the ups and downs of life and borne many of its troubles in 
domestic relations. It was not generally known until since his death that some 
time ago he threatened to destroy his life and even purchased the drug for the 
purpose, but he was pursuaded out of that foolish notion by his near friends. 
This is another evidence that when a person determines upon self-destruction, 
they accomplish their purpose sooner or later. Preparation for his funeral has 
been made which will take place today at 10 o'clock from the Presbyterian 
church. Rev. F. M. RULE and Rev. N. L. LORD will conduct the services.



Additional Comments:
Wendell C. Tombaugh



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