JOHN J. KUSTKA

TOOK OWN LIFE TO END SUFFERINGS
John Kustka, Fifth Ward Resident, Despondent, Becomes a Suicide.
HANGS TO RAFTER IN CELLAR.
Dead Body Found by Wife at Midnight-Was Button Maker by
Trade-Had Been Ill Long Times
Despodency over continued ill health, which had probably unbalanced his mind,
prompted the suicide of John Kustka, a resident of the Fifth ward who was found
hanging from a rafter in the cellar of the home at one o'clock this morning by
his wife who, becoming alarmed at his nonappearance had instituted search only
to be greeted by the ghastly find when she entered the basement of the house.
Assistance was immediately summoned and the body was cut down, but life was
extinct and nothing could be done. A coroner's inquest was summoned and adjourned
until later when a verdict in accordance with the facts, that the deceased came
to his death by his own hand was returned.
Kustka gave no intimation of his intention to suicide although the circumstances
seem to indicate that the act was premediated. The family was at home during the
evening and prepared to retire early. Kustka left the room, advising his wife not
to wait for him, and immediately, it is presumed, proceeded to the cellar where
he carried out his rash deed. A nail had been drven into the rafter and to this
a rope was attached, one end being in a noose about the neck of the dead man.
There was nothing to indicte a struggle or that Kustka had repented of his
determination.
The dead man was 41 years of age and had resided here for a number of years. He
was employed at his trade, that of a button maker, until forced by ill health to
abandon it. Since that time he had been incapicated. He was a native of Bohemia
and was a man well thought of by his friends and associates. A wife and four
children survive to mourn his death, the family being in poor circumstances. No
arrangements have been made for the funeral but it will likely be held Monday.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, April 2, 1904 P. 1
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John Kutska(sic), a resident of the 5th Ward, brought his life to an end
Fri. evening by hanging himself in the cellar of his residence. He
had come here from Bohemia several years ago and was a button maker
by profession, but over the past few years has worked the glue boiler
in the school furniture factory. He contracted consumption and had to
give up his work several weeks ago because of increasing weakness. He
and his wife and 4 small children were hard hit by these circumstances
and led him to suicide. Fri. evening after the children had gone to
bed, Mrs. Kutska remained up with her ill husband but finally went to
bed on his promise he would soon follow. Instead he went to the cellar
and hanged himself from a rafter. Mrs. Kutska awakened at 2 o'clock Sat.
morning, realized her husband was not in bed and went looking for him.
She lit the cellar and found her husband's body. Neighbors were notified,
the body taken down and a doctor called, and it was established that
life had gone. Justice of the Peace Falge held a coroner's inquest, and
the jury returned a verdict of suicide. Kutska was about 43 yrs. old.
Der Nord Westen, 07 Apr. 1904
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John Kustka
birth: 1863 Bohemia
death: 2 April 1904 Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin
residence: 1904 City
Wisconsin, Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968
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[bur. 04-02-1904/cause: suicide by hanging]