Obituary: Portage County, Wisconsin: Albert CRUEGER, Jr. Gazette Wed., Mar. 17, 1909 Shot Instantly Fatal Albert Crueger, Jrs., Sends Bullet in Brain and Dies on Walk in Front of Bruce Hotel on Third Street While in a condition bordering on insanity, Albert Crueger, Jr., son of Albert Crueger, Sr., who lives at 612 Prairie street, shot himself with fatal results at 11:15 o'clock last Saturday night. The tragedy took place on the walk in front of and a little north of the main entrance to the Bruce Hotel on S. Third street. Mr. Bruce, together with Chas. Prentice and other boarders, were in the hotel office at the time and the former noticed a man walk by, coming from the south, and a moment later was startled by hearing a shot. He walked to the door and looking out saw the body lying on the walk and within ten seconds was at his side, but the bullet had done its work and the breath of life had already left the young man's body. He was lying on his back with his head toward the south, and near his foot lay the revolver from which the bullet had been fired. It was a 38-calibre of five chambers, four of which contained cartridges. Mrs. Bruce asked Mr. Prentice to watch the body while he stepped inside and telephone to Coroner Boston, Chief of Police O'Connor and City Physician Rice, at the same time sending for a policeman and Officer Hafsoos was the first to arrive. Upon the arrival of the coroer the remains were taken to the Boston undertaking rooms, where they were later prepared for burial. Crueger had shot himself in the left side of the head, just above and a little back of the ear, and his death must have been instantaneous. The young man was an employe at the Wisconsin River Paper mills being third hand on a wet machine, and last week worked on the day tour. He returned from work shortly after 6 o'clcok Saturday evening and after eating supper went to his room to change his clothing. Missing some article or keepsake, he accused his little sisters, aged 10 and 8 respectively, of tampering with his pockets and threatened to slap them. His father was present and warned him against doing so, saying that if anything was needed in that line, he would attend to it himself, to which the boy replied that no attention was paid to what the girls did and they could do as they pleased. The father answered that he was boss of the house and if Albert did not want to remain he could find another boarding place. The young man said that he was going to do so and as he was not yet 21 years of age, his parents would have to pay the bill. After some other unimportant talk, Albert left the house and soon thereafter called at Nick Sherfinski's shop at the South Side, where he tried to borrow a revolver, but Sherfinski had none and he then went to Martin's hardware store. A son of the proprietor was in charge and Albert was shown a 38-calibre Smith & Weston, which had been place there on sale by Geo. A. Sutherland. Taking the revolver, Albert told the boy that his father knew him well and that he could tell him that he would be in and settle later. He then procured some cartridges and went to the home of his uncle, Fred Crueger, 218 Praire street, where he acted queerly, telling them that he had quit his job at the mill and was goint to California. Bidding them good bye he went away and returned home at aboiut 9 o'clock, where after re-arranging his hair and necktie, he started away, and upon reaching the door remarked to his mother that she could lock the door that night, "as when I come back they will have to carry me in." While his words sounded queerly, no alarm was felt and the members of the family retired soon thereafter. To friends whom he met later, he also stated that he had quite at the mills, which was not a fact, and was going to Minneapolis that night. It appears that he went from there to the home of a young lady acquaintance, where he seemed much excited, pacing nervously up and down the floor, but offered no explanation. The young lady's siter noticed that he was perspiring profusely and endeavored to appease him. He left at about 11 o'clock, promising to return the next day. It was only about fifteen minutes later that he fired the fatal shot and he must have gone directly from this young lady's home to the place where he ended his life, but just why he selected that spot for doing so, will never be known. Albert was one of twins and was born in this city Sept. 15, 1888, and was therefore in his 21st year. Besides his parents, he leaves two brothers and two sisters, Wm. F. Crueger, 422 Jefferson street, August, his tiwn, and Lillian and Esther, who live at home. The family are all industrious and well-to-do and the parents occupy one of the best residences in the Sixth ward. August noticed that Albert had been acting strangely for at least three weeks before his death, being very irritable, and seemed to have no control over his temper. He said he would talk in his sleep and when awake talked of queer things, but as he had nothing to worry him as far as known, the change in his disposition was not particularly noticed. He was hard worker, well thought of by his companions and all who knew him and the paper mill, and until lately had been of a pleasant, jolly disposition. He was not inclined to drink, although not a total abstainer, but it is quite certain that he had not drank anything Saturday night. His father and mother also noticed his queer actions for several weeks, and to questions asked by his mother as to what was the matter with him, he gave no satisfactory answer. Another son, Emil, was accidentally killed while hunting in the vicinity of Meehan station three years ago last September. The funeral of the young man took place, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence, Rev. R. Katerndahl of the Friedens church officiating, followed by interment in Forest Cemetery. The pallbearers were Emil Seidler, Henry Holdregger, Fred Erdman, Albert Erdman, Louis P. Schuweiler and Albert Assmann. ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, June 2004 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************