The residents of Perkiomenville were thrown into a great state of excitement on Thursday morning, when it was learned that JOSEPH ANGESTENBERGER, a farm hand employed by Heron Long, had commited suicide. The young man was a native of Germany and came to this country about seven years ago. He has lived several years with Mr. Long and was highly respected by the citizens in that community. It is believed, that this rash act is the outcome of mental derangement due to a fall about four weeks ago.
It appears that the young man was working about the barn and fell from the hay loft, a distance of about fifteen feet, striking his head against the heavy planking, from which he received severe bruises about the head. This, however, had seemed to pass away and the young man recovered quite rapidly, seemingly receiving no bad effects from his injuries.
At about 2:30 o'clock on Thursday morning the Long family was awakened from their slumbers by the odor of smoke. Mr. Long started at once for young Angestenberger's room and was surprised to find that he was not there. Upon further investigation it was notice that the window of his room was open which led to the porch roof. The odor of smoke was noticed coming in the room and Mr. Long stepped out upon the porch roof to make further investigation. Here he found the ghastly remains of his hired man. The young man's shirt was burned from his back and a bullet hole was found in his right breast as well as one in the back of his head.
The unfortunate man was about twenty-one years of age, and has no living relatives in this country. This sad occurence cast a gloom over the little village along the Perkiomen, that will not be forgotten for a long time.
Mrs. Samuel K. Freed, of New Hanover Square, attempted suicide by hanging on Friday morning. The unfortunate woman attempted this rash act in the wood shed adjoining the house.
Mrs. Freed had been ill for some time and her mind seemed to be affected, but on this day she went to the potato patch with the rest of the family, but did not work. She complained considerable of not feeling well and in a short time started for home. The rest followed in a short time. Her eldest son, upon entering the wood shed was horrified to see his mother hanging from the rafters. He called for help and the hired man responded and cut the rope, before life was extinct. Dr. Geo. A. Weida, of Frederick, was immediately called, and after several hours work succeeded in restoring the semi conscious woman to consciousness.
Mrs. Freed, after she had been restored to consciousness, said that she could not understand why she attempted so rash an act.
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