NEWSPAPERS: Frank I. Nelke suicide in Medford, Jackson County, Oregon 

***************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE
All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the
contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with United
States Copyright Laws and Regulations.

In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet,
these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may
be used by noncommercial entities so long as all notices and submitter
information is included.

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any
other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from
the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has
given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for
free access.

http://www.usgwarchives.net/ 
***************************************************************************
Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Elizabeth Corethers <Wordsmith@grrtech.com> 24 Jan 2003
***************************************************************************

Jacksonville (Oregon) Post, Saturday, 22 Aug 1908, p. 1

SUICIDE AT MEDFORD

With a prayer for his wife's forgiveness trembling on his lips, and after
fully realizing the awfulness of the step he had taken, Frank I. Nelke died
at 8:29 o'clock Tuesday morning. This after he had made a third attempt on
his life.

The end came peacefully as far as a struggle was concerned. Until within
ten minutes of his death, Nelke was conscious and was endeavoring to tell
his reasons for the act. About a quarter after 8 he laid back on the bed,
closed his eyes and apparently fell asleep. The only one at his bedside was
William Handley, who was with him throughout the night.

Mrs. Nelke bore up bravely for a period after the news was conveyed to her,
but at last reports she was prostrated. She refuses to see anyone and has
turned all matters over to Mr. Handley. He immediately wired relatives in
the ast and replies are expected at any moment.

Nelke regained consciousness Tuesday afternoon about 4 o'clock, but was
unable to speak to those about him. He would sink into spells of
unconsciousness and then regain his reason. He was carefully guarded to
prevent another attempt.

However, about 10 p.m. he succeeded in getting a case knife from a nearby
dresser and plunged this into his side. The dullness of the knife and his
own weakness prevented him from inflicting anything more serious than a
flesh wound. He was then handcuffed to the iron railing of the bed. Later
in the night the handcuffs were removed, but Mr. Handley sat by his side
and carefully guarded him.

The doctors at no time entertained any hope for his recovery. This fact was
communicated to Mrs. Nelke and accounts in a manner for the way in which
she was able to keep up after hearing that the end had come.

The last words uttered by Nelke were to Mr. Handley. He asked him to look
out for his wife and child. About 8 o'clock he seemed to realize that the
end was near and muttered a prayer for his wife's forgiveness. Finally he
drew Mr. Handley to him and whispered: "Oh! Billy, Billy, why did I do it?"
Then came the end.

Endeavors were made to have Nelke tell why he had taken the step, but he
was unable to explain. He tried a number of times, but failed to make his
hearers understand. - Tribune.