OBIT: Margaret S. Hepler, 1913, Adams County, PA

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PATIENT HANGS HERSELF

Lifeless Body of Woman Found in County Home at Gettysburg

The dead body of Mrs. Margaret S. Hepler was found at 4:30 a.m., Thursday, May 
15, hanging from an iron bar in a room in the insane department of the County 
Home at Gettysburg.  Mrs. Hepler was a daughter of John Leas, of that place, and 
was aged about 49 years.

For some years she resided in Reading and was engaged as a nurse.  Ten days ago 
Mrs. Hepler went to Gettysburg, suffering from nervous prostration, and it was 
deemed best to place her at the County Home.  Thursday morning the body was 
found by Mrs. Charles Strasbaugh, the night nurse.  It was still warm and the 
deed was evidently committed about a half hour previous.

A sheet was used to form the noose and this was tied to an iron bar at the 
window.  The sheet was so long that Mrs. Hepler was compelled to hang in a 
kneeling position in order to allow the carefully made noose to do its work, and 
she could have saved herself even after adjusting it had she cared to do so.  
Upon discovering the body Mrs. Strasbaugh summoned help thinking that life might 
not be extinct but examination showed that death had resulted.

Mrs. Hepler leaves her father and the following brothers and sisters, John Leas, 
of Littlestown; Walter Leas, of Route 9, Gettysburg; Miss Louisa Leas and Miss 
Ella Leas, at home; Mrs. Anna Fleck, of Reigelaville.

Funeral from the home of her father, John Leas, in Gettysburg, Saturday 
afternoon at half past one.

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, May 24, 1913