Lancaster Morning News
April 6, 1904
Edward Steele's Suicide
Shot Himself on the Grave of his Wife in Greenwood Cemetery at an Early Hour Yesterday Morning
Early yesterday morning Charles F. Steele, of No. 356 Beaver street, committed suicide in Greenwood cemetery. The spot selected for the deed was just beside his wife's grave and on which his own grave will be dug.
The method used to end his life was shooting with a 38-calibre revolver. He was lying down when he shot himself and he used his left hand. The first bullet he fired did not enter the head, but produced a flesh wound. He fired a second time and this bullet entered the left side of the head, passed upward and lodged beneath the skull plate. It was 7:15 when L. A. Brenner, superintendent of the cemetery, discovered the body. The pistol lay close to Steele's left arm. Coroner Witmer was notified and he and Dr. F. O. Hartman investigated the case, concluding it to be one of suicide. The bullet was later extracted. It was battered and lay just beneath the skull, pushing the latter out slightly.
Mrs. Steele died several weeks ago, and since then her husband had been despondent. Almost daily he visited the cemetery and remained for considerable time at his wife's grave.
Since the death of Mrs. Steele, the care of the household fell upon a daughter, Blanche E. On Monday evening she was married to Frederick Roehm, and this fact seemed to increase Steele's despondency. Roehm conversed with his father-in-law until midnight Monday, and a son Edward, was with him until 1 o'clock. Steele then prepared to retire for the night. It is supposed that he arose early yesterday morning and went directly to the cemetery. When found Steele had been dead several hours. When the family missed Steele, they searched for him and a son went to the cemetery. He arrived about the time the body was discovered.
Steele called upon Alderman Doebler recently and had his will written. The alderman jokingly remarked that Steele would see his children grow up before he needed a will, but Steele replied that no person could tell what might happen. He desired a will so that his property would be divided according to his wishes. It was only recently that he became a member of Memorial Presbyterian church.
On Monday evening Steele gave to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Silvius, $80 and the use to which the money was to be applied as noted in the following letter addressed to his daughter Blanche:
Blanche: The money is for pap and mam's tomb-stones. Please put it away in bank until the stones are put up and then you pay for them. Give the lodge books to Sherman Doebler, the alderman. He has my will and will see that everything is alright.
Blanche, take good care of the two little ones, as I could not stay any longer. My heart is broken. I am going to meet your dear mother. Goodbye all. Be good children and we will meet you in heaven.
Your Father.
Mr. Steele was a slater by trade, and was in his forty-sixth year. There survive these children: Edward, Blanche, wife of Fred B. Roehm; Laura, Eleanora, Margaret, Walter, Jennie, and Ruth. His sisters are Sallie, wife of William Hambright; Ada, wife of William Hepting, and Maggie, wife of Caleb Rife.
He was a member of the Eagles, Junior Mechanics, Sons of America, and the Memorial Presbyterian church.
Steele—in this city, on the 5th inst., Charles F. Steele, in his 46th year.
The relatives and friends, also Inland City Council, No. 996, Jr. O. U. A. M. P. O. S. of A., No. 27, Lancaster Castle No. 292, K. of G. E., and the Sheet Metal Workers' Union, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from his late residence, No. 356 Beaver street, on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment at Greenwood cemetery.
____________________________________________________________
Son:
Charles Elvin Haupt Steele
b. 8-29-1890
d. 9-20-1891
April 6, 1904
Edward Steele's Suicide
Shot Himself on the Grave of his Wife in Greenwood Cemetery at an Early Hour Yesterday Morning
Early yesterday morning Charles F. Steele, of No. 356 Beaver street, committed suicide in Greenwood cemetery. The spot selected for the deed was just beside his wife's grave and on which his own grave will be dug.
The method used to end his life was shooting with a 38-calibre revolver. He was lying down when he shot himself and he used his left hand. The first bullet he fired did not enter the head, but produced a flesh wound. He fired a second time and this bullet entered the left side of the head, passed upward and lodged beneath the skull plate. It was 7:15 when L. A. Brenner, superintendent of the cemetery, discovered the body. The pistol lay close to Steele's left arm. Coroner Witmer was notified and he and Dr. F. O. Hartman investigated the case, concluding it to be one of suicide. The bullet was later extracted. It was battered and lay just beneath the skull, pushing the latter out slightly.
Mrs. Steele died several weeks ago, and since then her husband had been despondent. Almost daily he visited the cemetery and remained for considerable time at his wife's grave.
Since the death of Mrs. Steele, the care of the household fell upon a daughter, Blanche E. On Monday evening she was married to Frederick Roehm, and this fact seemed to increase Steele's despondency. Roehm conversed with his father-in-law until midnight Monday, and a son Edward, was with him until 1 o'clock. Steele then prepared to retire for the night. It is supposed that he arose early yesterday morning and went directly to the cemetery. When found Steele had been dead several hours. When the family missed Steele, they searched for him and a son went to the cemetery. He arrived about the time the body was discovered.
Steele called upon Alderman Doebler recently and had his will written. The alderman jokingly remarked that Steele would see his children grow up before he needed a will, but Steele replied that no person could tell what might happen. He desired a will so that his property would be divided according to his wishes. It was only recently that he became a member of Memorial Presbyterian church.
On Monday evening Steele gave to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Silvius, $80 and the use to which the money was to be applied as noted in the following letter addressed to his daughter Blanche:
Blanche: The money is for pap and mam's tomb-stones. Please put it away in bank until the stones are put up and then you pay for them. Give the lodge books to Sherman Doebler, the alderman. He has my will and will see that everything is alright.
Blanche, take good care of the two little ones, as I could not stay any longer. My heart is broken. I am going to meet your dear mother. Goodbye all. Be good children and we will meet you in heaven.
Your Father.
Mr. Steele was a slater by trade, and was in his forty-sixth year. There survive these children: Edward, Blanche, wife of Fred B. Roehm; Laura, Eleanora, Margaret, Walter, Jennie, and Ruth. His sisters are Sallie, wife of William Hambright; Ada, wife of William Hepting, and Maggie, wife of Caleb Rife.
He was a member of the Eagles, Junior Mechanics, Sons of America, and the Memorial Presbyterian church.
Steele—in this city, on the 5th inst., Charles F. Steele, in his 46th year.
The relatives and friends, also Inland City Council, No. 996, Jr. O. U. A. M. P. O. S. of A., No. 27, Lancaster Castle No. 292, K. of G. E., and the Sheet Metal Workers' Union, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from his late residence, No. 356 Beaver street, on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment at Greenwood cemetery.
____________________________________________________________
Son:
Charles Elvin Haupt Steele
b. 8-29-1890
d. 9-20-1891
Lancaster Morning News
April 6, 1904
Edward Steele's Suicide
Shot Himself on the Grave of his Wife in Greenwood Cemetery at an Early Hour Yesterday Morning
Early yesterday morning Charles F. Steele, of No. 356 Beaver street, committed suicide in Greenwood cemetery. The spot selected for the deed was just beside his wife's grave and on which his own grave will be dug.
The method used to end his life was shooting with a 38-calibre revolver. He was lying down when he shot himself and he used his left hand. The first bullet he fired did not enter the head, but produced a flesh wound. He fired a second time and this bullet entered the left side of the head, passed upward and lodged beneath the skull plate. It was 7:15 when L. A. Brenner, superintendent of the cemetery, discovered the body. The pistol lay close to Steele's left arm. Coroner Witmer was notified and he and Dr. F. O. Hartman investigated the case, concluding it to be one of suicide. The bullet was later extracted. It was battered and lay just beneath the skull, pushing the latter out slightly.
Mrs. Steele died several weeks ago, and since then her husband had been despondent. Almost daily he visited the cemetery and remained for considerable time at his wife's grave.
Since the death of Mrs. Steele, the care of the household fell upon a daughter, Blanche E. On Monday evening she was married to Frederick Roehm, and this fact seemed to increase Steele's despondency. Roehm conversed with his father-in-law until midnight Monday, and a son Edward, was with him until 1 o'clock. Steele then prepared to retire for the night. It is supposed that he arose early yesterday morning and went directly to the cemetery. When found Steele had been dead several hours. When the family missed Steele, they searched for him and a son went to the cemetery. He arrived about the time the body was discovered.
Steele called upon Alderman Doebler recently and had his will written. The alderman jokingly remarked that Steele would see his children grow up before he needed a will, but Steele replied that no person could tell what might happen. He desired a will so that his property would be divided according to his wishes. It was only recently that he became a member of Memorial Presbyterian church.
On Monday evening Steele gave to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Silvius, $80 and the use to which the money was to be applied as noted in the following letter addressed to his daughter Blanche:
Blanche: The money is for pap and mam's tomb-stones. Please put it away in bank until the stones are put up and then you pay for them. Give the lodge books to Sherman Doebler, the alderman. He has my will and will see that everything is alright.
Blanche, take good care of the two little ones, as I could not stay any longer. My heart is broken. I am going to meet your dear mother. Goodbye all. Be good children and we will meet you in heaven.
Your Father.
Mr. Steele was a slater by trade, and was in his forty-sixth year. There survive these children: Edward, Blanche, wife of Fred B. Roehm; Laura, Eleanora, Margaret, Walter, Jennie, and Ruth. His sisters are Sallie, wife of William Hambright; Ada, wife of William Hepting, and Maggie, wife of Caleb Rife.
He was a member of the Eagles, Junior Mechanics, Sons of America, and the Memorial Presbyterian church.
Steele—in this city, on the 5th inst., Charles F. Steele, in his 46th year.
The relatives and friends, also Inland City Council, No. 996, Jr. O. U. A. M. P. O. S. of A., No. 27, Lancaster Castle No. 292, K. of G. E., and the Sheet Metal Workers' Union, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from his late residence, No. 356 Beaver street, on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment at Greenwood cemetery.
____________________________________________________________
Son:
Charles Elvin Haupt Steele
b. 8-29-1890
d. 9-20-1891
April 6, 1904
Edward Steele's Suicide
Shot Himself on the Grave of his Wife in Greenwood Cemetery at an Early Hour Yesterday Morning
Early yesterday morning Charles F. Steele, of No. 356 Beaver street, committed suicide in Greenwood cemetery. The spot selected for the deed was just beside his wife's grave and on which his own grave will be dug.
The method used to end his life was shooting with a 38-calibre revolver. He was lying down when he shot himself and he used his left hand. The first bullet he fired did not enter the head, but produced a flesh wound. He fired a second time and this bullet entered the left side of the head, passed upward and lodged beneath the skull plate. It was 7:15 when L. A. Brenner, superintendent of the cemetery, discovered the body. The pistol lay close to Steele's left arm. Coroner Witmer was notified and he and Dr. F. O. Hartman investigated the case, concluding it to be one of suicide. The bullet was later extracted. It was battered and lay just beneath the skull, pushing the latter out slightly.
Mrs. Steele died several weeks ago, and since then her husband had been despondent. Almost daily he visited the cemetery and remained for considerable time at his wife's grave.
Since the death of Mrs. Steele, the care of the household fell upon a daughter, Blanche E. On Monday evening she was married to Frederick Roehm, and this fact seemed to increase Steele's despondency. Roehm conversed with his father-in-law until midnight Monday, and a son Edward, was with him until 1 o'clock. Steele then prepared to retire for the night. It is supposed that he arose early yesterday morning and went directly to the cemetery. When found Steele had been dead several hours. When the family missed Steele, they searched for him and a son went to the cemetery. He arrived about the time the body was discovered.
Steele called upon Alderman Doebler recently and had his will written. The alderman jokingly remarked that Steele would see his children grow up before he needed a will, but Steele replied that no person could tell what might happen. He desired a will so that his property would be divided according to his wishes. It was only recently that he became a member of Memorial Presbyterian church.
On Monday evening Steele gave to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Silvius, $80 and the use to which the money was to be applied as noted in the following letter addressed to his daughter Blanche:
Blanche: The money is for pap and mam's tomb-stones. Please put it away in bank until the stones are put up and then you pay for them. Give the lodge books to Sherman Doebler, the alderman. He has my will and will see that everything is alright.
Blanche, take good care of the two little ones, as I could not stay any longer. My heart is broken. I am going to meet your dear mother. Goodbye all. Be good children and we will meet you in heaven.
Your Father.
Mr. Steele was a slater by trade, and was in his forty-sixth year. There survive these children: Edward, Blanche, wife of Fred B. Roehm; Laura, Eleanora, Margaret, Walter, Jennie, and Ruth. His sisters are Sallie, wife of William Hambright; Ada, wife of William Hepting, and Maggie, wife of Caleb Rife.
He was a member of the Eagles, Junior Mechanics, Sons of America, and the Memorial Presbyterian church.
Steele—in this city, on the 5th inst., Charles F. Steele, in his 46th year.
The relatives and friends, also Inland City Council, No. 996, Jr. O. U. A. M. P. O. S. of A., No. 27, Lancaster Castle No. 292, K. of G. E., and the Sheet Metal Workers' Union, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from his late residence, No. 356 Beaver street, on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment at Greenwood cemetery.
____________________________________________________________
Son:
Charles Elvin Haupt Steele
b. 8-29-1890
d. 9-20-1891
Gravesite Details
Lot purchased at Greenwood Cemetery by Charles F. Steele, 356 E. Beaver Street, Lancaster, PA—April 21, 1903, eight lots, one section for $68
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