Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Klebahn, Charles November 11, 1896
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Norfolk Landmark November 12, 1896
                           MURDER OR SUICIDE?
             CHARLES KLEBAHN'S WIFE SUSPECTED OF KILLING HIM.
FOUND DEAD IN HIS ROOM WITH THE GAS TURNED ON - THE COUPLE DID NOT LIVE HAPPILY 
TOGETHER AND HAD MANY QUARRELS - THE CORONER WILL INVESTIGATE.
For some time past, Charles Klebahn and his wife, Bernhardine, of this city, 
have not been living happily together and several times of late they have 
figured in the Police Court on account of their fighting proclivities. The last 
appearance of the man before Justice Tomlin was made Tuesday morning, when 
Charles was fined $5 for beating his wife. Yesterday afternoon Klebahn was found 
dead in his room, which was filled with gas, escaping from a jet, the valve of 
which had been left open, whether by accident or design, however, is at present 
unknown.
Klebahn kept a saloon at the corner of Hill and Talbot streets, and, with his 
wife, occupied the room above as a residence. He was a heavy drinker and he and 
his wife had many quarrels. After his departure from the Police Court-room 
Tuesday, he was seen upon the streets in an intoxicated condition. Yesterday 
afternoon, a friend of his, named Miller, went up to Klebahn's room, and being 
unable to effect an entrance, and noticing an odor of gas, the visitor repaired 
to police headquarters and reported these facts. An investigation was made and 
Klebahn was found in the room upon a cot. He was in a cramped position, with all 
his clothes on. His face was bruised and there was froth at the mouth.
Klebahn, who had evidently returned home during the night in an intoxicated 
condition and fallen upon the cot, and whether or not he had turned the gas on 
and then been unable to light it, is not known, but, however that may be, his 
wife is now a prisoner charged with murder.
When Klebahn's body was found, his wife was in the barroom below, the doors of 
which were closed. She was asked if she knew of her husband's death, and 
replied, "No." Nothing further could be obtained from the woman. It is not known 
whether or not the wife really did murder her husband, and there are several 
theories as to the cause of his death, one of which is that he himself was 
responsible for it, owing to his intoxicated condition.
Klebahn's body was removed to the morgue, where the coroner viewed the remains. 
A jury will be empaneled and an inquest held at 11 o'clock this morning.
In September 1895, Klebahn obtained a bill of separation from his wife, in which 
bill the stock and fixtures of the barroom mentioned were transferred to her. 
Since the bill was gotten, however, they have lived together, but as stated 
above, could not agree and were continually having rows, which usually 
terminated in fights, in which one or the other were badly beaten.
Mrs. Klebahn will have a preliminary hearing before Justice Tomlin in the Police 
Court this morning.

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