Hans Christian HANSON
While going through an archive, I found this notice. Saturday, September 27, 1884
Last Tuesday morning news spread over town that a dead body was lying in the Mill Creek bottom, west of the bridge, on the Michigan road, just north of Rochester. About eight o'clock the coroner, Jacob HERING, was called upon to take charge of the body and hold an inquisition as the law directs. [his finding in full, re the matter of the death of Hans Christian HANSON, inquest of September 23, and report dated September 24, 1884] . . . . that, at the time of his death he was aged about twenty-six years; that he was of light complexion, rather heavy make, and five feet two inches in height; that when he died he was dressed in a white muslin shirt and gray vest and pantaloons; that he had on his person six dollars in paper money, a silver watch supposed to be worth twenty-five dollars, and a revolver valued at four dollars . . .
From papers found on the person of this unfortunate man it is learned that he was born at Schlis (or Schlios) Holstien, Germany; that he migrated from Hamburg about the 23rd day of February, 1882, and arrived in the United States on March 9, 1882; and that on the 27th of October 1883, before the clerk of the Fulton Circuit Court he declared his intention of becoming a citizen of this country. Since then he had been engaged at such work as he could obtain about town and had acquired some little property other than that mentioneed in the Coroner's report above set out. Among his effects we mention a team of horses and wagon. From all this at appears that he was by no means in a suffering condition, and must have been moved to take his life (which he did) by some other motive.
It was observed that the immediate cause of his death was a wound directly in the center of his forehead, from a revolver shot, the weapon being found firmly grasped in his left hand. He purchased the weapon of WEILLS & PETERSON but the day before and evidently for the sole purpose of taking his own life. He did his work well and must have died instantly as there were not the slightest evidences of any struggle. Deceased had few acquaintances here, but those who knew him best speak of him as a quiet, inofffensive, sober and industrious young man.
Whatever trials, troubles and vexations beset him in his comparatively brief walk in this vale of tears, they are ended. Let his faults, if he had any, rest with him, and let us not too rashly, nor too harshly judge the unfortunate being, who, overloaded with sorrows and disappointments sought with his own hands to snap the tender cord which bound him to the habitation of his woes. But rather let us draw the curtain of forgetfulness and forgiveness around the memory of the poor tired heart that now lies at rest in the friendly bosom of the earth whence it was taken. To the loved ones left behind in that far away home, the news of this tragic fate will carry the deepest sorrow, for their brave son and brother, who so lately forsook the scenes of his childhood to win for himself a place in this great country of ours will no more return to them. Hopeful he doubtless was; erring and misguided he may have been, but he is now at rest and at peace. So let him remain.