JOSEPH SMAZEL
(1893 - 1915)
OUT OF WORK, DESPONDENT, WEST SIDE YOUTH ENDS HIS LIFE WITH CARBOLIC ACID
JOSEPH SMAZEL, 22, SON OF WIDOWED MOTHER, RETURNS HOME AT 3 THIS MORNING,
DRINKS DEADLY POTION AND FOUND DEAD BY MOTHER WHO HEARD BODY FALL TO FLOOR
HAD BEEN EMPLOYEE OF REISS CO. WHERE DEAD FATHER WAS FOREMAN
Out of work, ill, and despondent, Joseph Smazel, a west side youth of 22, decided that life was not worth the living and at his home on Clark street early this morning, committed suicide by poison. The dead body was found on the floor of the home by the boy's widowed mother who had heard a fall and left her bed to investigate. Physicians who were summoned said that death had resulted in a few seconds.
Carbolic acid was the potion which ended the life of Smazel, who was but 22 years of age. An opened bottle, which contained the poison was found gripped in the man's hand, evidence of the manner of death and the mouth and lips were burned by the acid. Smazel, who had informed his mother last night that he intended to go to Milwaukee today, returned home after 2 o'clock this morning and is said to have visited the basement where it is believed he consumed the fatal potion. He had made his way upstairs again when he was overcome and fell to the floor near the outer door. Whether he intended to again attempt to leave the house is not known.
The family had retired several hours before the return of the son but Mrs. Smazel heard him enter the home and a few minutes later when she heard the fall of a heavy body, rushed from her room to investigate, anticipating that her son might have suffered a sudden serious illness. Reaching the room where the youth had been, she was horrified to see the body on the floor and failed to arouse the fallen man, she hurriedly summoned a physician. Not until the physician pronounced the youth dead did the mother realize the situation, having believed all the time that her boy was unconscious from illness.
Smazel, who was a son of the late Joseph Smazel, whose death occurred at a sanatorium in Colorado a year ago, had been employed at the docks of the Reiss Coal Company, where his father was for years foreman until forced by ill health to give up his work. The young man had been at work at the docks as a hoister up to three weeks ago but had asked for leave because of feeling ill he said. He returned to the docks Friday to again resume work but was told to report on Monday. He failed to return Monday morning and did not report yesterday. He had declared his intention of leaving for Milwaukee this morning.
According to friends Smazel was about town last evening and was in his usual spirits, having given no intimation of his intended departure or that he contemplated ending his life. It is believed, however, that the boy had planned his death and had purchased the poison with that intent earlier in the day. Smazel made his home with his widowed mother and a sister at 2107 Clark street. A note, the contents of which the family did not care to make public, was left by the unfortunate young man. It is said that the missive made reference to one or two fellow employees at the Reiss docks and to his work.
Smazel was not dismissed from his position at the Reiss docks but had asked to be permitted to lay off for a time.
Funeral announcement has not been made.
No inquest will be held.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, December 08, 1915, Page 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The funeral of the late Joseph Smazel will be held from the house on Clark street tomorrow afternoon and will be under auspices of the local lodge of Moose of which he was a member.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, December 11, 1915
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Reiss employees paid a very pretty tribute to the memory of the late Joseph Smazel, when they marched in a body at the funeral. The Reiss docks closed down Saturday afternoon for the funeral, Mr. Smazel having formerly been employed at the docks.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, December 13, 1915, Page 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1893 - 1915)
OUT OF WORK, DESPONDENT, WEST SIDE YOUTH ENDS HIS LIFE WITH CARBOLIC ACID
JOSEPH SMAZEL, 22, SON OF WIDOWED MOTHER, RETURNS HOME AT 3 THIS MORNING,
DRINKS DEADLY POTION AND FOUND DEAD BY MOTHER WHO HEARD BODY FALL TO FLOOR
HAD BEEN EMPLOYEE OF REISS CO. WHERE DEAD FATHER WAS FOREMAN
Out of work, ill, and despondent, Joseph Smazel, a west side youth of 22, decided that life was not worth the living and at his home on Clark street early this morning, committed suicide by poison. The dead body was found on the floor of the home by the boy's widowed mother who had heard a fall and left her bed to investigate. Physicians who were summoned said that death had resulted in a few seconds.
Carbolic acid was the potion which ended the life of Smazel, who was but 22 years of age. An opened bottle, which contained the poison was found gripped in the man's hand, evidence of the manner of death and the mouth and lips were burned by the acid. Smazel, who had informed his mother last night that he intended to go to Milwaukee today, returned home after 2 o'clock this morning and is said to have visited the basement where it is believed he consumed the fatal potion. He had made his way upstairs again when he was overcome and fell to the floor near the outer door. Whether he intended to again attempt to leave the house is not known.
The family had retired several hours before the return of the son but Mrs. Smazel heard him enter the home and a few minutes later when she heard the fall of a heavy body, rushed from her room to investigate, anticipating that her son might have suffered a sudden serious illness. Reaching the room where the youth had been, she was horrified to see the body on the floor and failed to arouse the fallen man, she hurriedly summoned a physician. Not until the physician pronounced the youth dead did the mother realize the situation, having believed all the time that her boy was unconscious from illness.
Smazel, who was a son of the late Joseph Smazel, whose death occurred at a sanatorium in Colorado a year ago, had been employed at the docks of the Reiss Coal Company, where his father was for years foreman until forced by ill health to give up his work. The young man had been at work at the docks as a hoister up to three weeks ago but had asked for leave because of feeling ill he said. He returned to the docks Friday to again resume work but was told to report on Monday. He failed to return Monday morning and did not report yesterday. He had declared his intention of leaving for Milwaukee this morning.
According to friends Smazel was about town last evening and was in his usual spirits, having given no intimation of his intended departure or that he contemplated ending his life. It is believed, however, that the boy had planned his death and had purchased the poison with that intent earlier in the day. Smazel made his home with his widowed mother and a sister at 2107 Clark street. A note, the contents of which the family did not care to make public, was left by the unfortunate young man. It is said that the missive made reference to one or two fellow employees at the Reiss docks and to his work.
Smazel was not dismissed from his position at the Reiss docks but had asked to be permitted to lay off for a time.
Funeral announcement has not been made.
No inquest will be held.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, December 08, 1915, Page 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The funeral of the late Joseph Smazel will be held from the house on Clark street tomorrow afternoon and will be under auspices of the local lodge of Moose of which he was a member.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, December 11, 1915
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Reiss employees paid a very pretty tribute to the memory of the late Joseph Smazel, when they marched in a body at the funeral. The Reiss docks closed down Saturday afternoon for the funeral, Mr. Smazel having formerly been employed at the docks.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, December 13, 1915, Page 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOSEPH SMAZEL
(1893 - 1915)
OUT OF WORK, DESPONDENT, WEST SIDE YOUTH ENDS HIS LIFE WITH CARBOLIC ACID
JOSEPH SMAZEL, 22, SON OF WIDOWED MOTHER, RETURNS HOME AT 3 THIS MORNING,
DRINKS DEADLY POTION AND FOUND DEAD BY MOTHER WHO HEARD BODY FALL TO FLOOR
HAD BEEN EMPLOYEE OF REISS CO. WHERE DEAD FATHER WAS FOREMAN
Out of work, ill, and despondent, Joseph Smazel, a west side youth of 22, decided that life was not worth the living and at his home on Clark street early this morning, committed suicide by poison. The dead body was found on the floor of the home by the boy's widowed mother who had heard a fall and left her bed to investigate. Physicians who were summoned said that death had resulted in a few seconds.
Carbolic acid was the potion which ended the life of Smazel, who was but 22 years of age. An opened bottle, which contained the poison was found gripped in the man's hand, evidence of the manner of death and the mouth and lips were burned by the acid. Smazel, who had informed his mother last night that he intended to go to Milwaukee today, returned home after 2 o'clock this morning and is said to have visited the basement where it is believed he consumed the fatal potion. He had made his way upstairs again when he was overcome and fell to the floor near the outer door. Whether he intended to again attempt to leave the house is not known.
The family had retired several hours before the return of the son but Mrs. Smazel heard him enter the home and a few minutes later when she heard the fall of a heavy body, rushed from her room to investigate, anticipating that her son might have suffered a sudden serious illness. Reaching the room where the youth had been, she was horrified to see the body on the floor and failed to arouse the fallen man, she hurriedly summoned a physician. Not until the physician pronounced the youth dead did the mother realize the situation, having believed all the time that her boy was unconscious from illness.
Smazel, who was a son of the late Joseph Smazel, whose death occurred at a sanatorium in Colorado a year ago, had been employed at the docks of the Reiss Coal Company, where his father was for years foreman until forced by ill health to give up his work. The young man had been at work at the docks as a hoister up to three weeks ago but had asked for leave because of feeling ill he said. He returned to the docks Friday to again resume work but was told to report on Monday. He failed to return Monday morning and did not report yesterday. He had declared his intention of leaving for Milwaukee this morning.
According to friends Smazel was about town last evening and was in his usual spirits, having given no intimation of his intended departure or that he contemplated ending his life. It is believed, however, that the boy had planned his death and had purchased the poison with that intent earlier in the day. Smazel made his home with his widowed mother and a sister at 2107 Clark street. A note, the contents of which the family did not care to make public, was left by the unfortunate young man. It is said that the missive made reference to one or two fellow employees at the Reiss docks and to his work.
Smazel was not dismissed from his position at the Reiss docks but had asked to be permitted to lay off for a time.
Funeral announcement has not been made.
No inquest will be held.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, December 08, 1915, Page 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The funeral of the late Joseph Smazel will be held from the house on Clark street tomorrow afternoon and will be under auspices of the local lodge of Moose of which he was a member.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, December 11, 1915
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Reiss employees paid a very pretty tribute to the memory of the late Joseph Smazel, when they marched in a body at the funeral. The Reiss docks closed down Saturday afternoon for the funeral, Mr. Smazel having formerly been employed at the docks.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, December 13, 1915, Page 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1893 - 1915)
OUT OF WORK, DESPONDENT, WEST SIDE YOUTH ENDS HIS LIFE WITH CARBOLIC ACID
JOSEPH SMAZEL, 22, SON OF WIDOWED MOTHER, RETURNS HOME AT 3 THIS MORNING,
DRINKS DEADLY POTION AND FOUND DEAD BY MOTHER WHO HEARD BODY FALL TO FLOOR
HAD BEEN EMPLOYEE OF REISS CO. WHERE DEAD FATHER WAS FOREMAN
Out of work, ill, and despondent, Joseph Smazel, a west side youth of 22, decided that life was not worth the living and at his home on Clark street early this morning, committed suicide by poison. The dead body was found on the floor of the home by the boy's widowed mother who had heard a fall and left her bed to investigate. Physicians who were summoned said that death had resulted in a few seconds.
Carbolic acid was the potion which ended the life of Smazel, who was but 22 years of age. An opened bottle, which contained the poison was found gripped in the man's hand, evidence of the manner of death and the mouth and lips were burned by the acid. Smazel, who had informed his mother last night that he intended to go to Milwaukee today, returned home after 2 o'clock this morning and is said to have visited the basement where it is believed he consumed the fatal potion. He had made his way upstairs again when he was overcome and fell to the floor near the outer door. Whether he intended to again attempt to leave the house is not known.
The family had retired several hours before the return of the son but Mrs. Smazel heard him enter the home and a few minutes later when she heard the fall of a heavy body, rushed from her room to investigate, anticipating that her son might have suffered a sudden serious illness. Reaching the room where the youth had been, she was horrified to see the body on the floor and failed to arouse the fallen man, she hurriedly summoned a physician. Not until the physician pronounced the youth dead did the mother realize the situation, having believed all the time that her boy was unconscious from illness.
Smazel, who was a son of the late Joseph Smazel, whose death occurred at a sanatorium in Colorado a year ago, had been employed at the docks of the Reiss Coal Company, where his father was for years foreman until forced by ill health to give up his work. The young man had been at work at the docks as a hoister up to three weeks ago but had asked for leave because of feeling ill he said. He returned to the docks Friday to again resume work but was told to report on Monday. He failed to return Monday morning and did not report yesterday. He had declared his intention of leaving for Milwaukee this morning.
According to friends Smazel was about town last evening and was in his usual spirits, having given no intimation of his intended departure or that he contemplated ending his life. It is believed, however, that the boy had planned his death and had purchased the poison with that intent earlier in the day. Smazel made his home with his widowed mother and a sister at 2107 Clark street. A note, the contents of which the family did not care to make public, was left by the unfortunate young man. It is said that the missive made reference to one or two fellow employees at the Reiss docks and to his work.
Smazel was not dismissed from his position at the Reiss docks but had asked to be permitted to lay off for a time.
Funeral announcement has not been made.
No inquest will be held.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, December 08, 1915, Page 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The funeral of the late Joseph Smazel will be held from the house on Clark street tomorrow afternoon and will be under auspices of the local lodge of Moose of which he was a member.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, December 11, 1915
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Reiss employees paid a very pretty tribute to the memory of the late Joseph Smazel, when they marched in a body at the funeral. The Reiss docks closed down Saturday afternoon for the funeral, Mr. Smazel having formerly been employed at the docks.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, December 13, 1915, Page 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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