JOHN POLAK

DISGRACE LEADS HIM TO SUICIDE
John Pollack(sic) Ends Life When Family Has Him Posted by the Council
SON FINDS DEAD BODY
Pollack Barred Doors and Was Found Hanging in Barn; District Attorney
Kelley Investigates Case
Hanging from a rafter in the barn at the home on Twenty-sixth Street
the body of John Pollack, still warm, was found by members of the
family early today following a search that was made when it was
discovered that Pollack had not been home during the night. Despondency,
caused by disgrace of having his name placed on the prohibited list in
the Saloons, an action authorized by the council Monday night, is believed
to have prompted Pollack to suicide. He was 62 years of age and a long
time resident of the city.
Pollack's body was found shortly after seven o'clock by one of his sons,
who becoming alarmed at the continued absence of his father, instituted
a search about the premises. Coming to the barn, he discovered it locked
from the inside, an unusual occurrence and which led him to suspect that
the parents had come home late at night and not caring to go to the house
had made the stable his sleeping quarters. He was not prepared for the
ghastly sight that met his eyes when he entered and was nearly overcome by
the discovery. Whipping out his knife the boy cut the rope by which the
body, limp in death, was hanging and running to the house to annouce his
ghastly find. The body was still warm though life was extinct and there
was nothing for the family to do but carry it to the hosue and notify the
authorities.
Though Pollack had been posted on Wednesday in both this city and the Town
of Rapids, the evidence found was such as to indicate that he had been
furnished liquor during the day. A search of the effects of the dead man
revealed that he had spent all his money for something presumably drink
and it is said that Pollack had been seen during the day partially under
the influence of liquor. Where he obtained the drink will be the basis of
an investigation on the part of the authorities. There is no doubt but that
the fact that Pollack had had drink was responsible for his act since the
man was rational and sober when sober and was of a disposition that would
preclude all thoughts of taking his own life.
Pollack was a well known and old resident of the city and was engaged in
the rag, iron and metal business. He was well known about the county from
the frequent trips he had made. He was regarded as a shrewd business man
and had made some money though he was not wealthy. He lived at the corner
of Twenty-Sixth and Clark Streets. Report of the suicide was made to District
Atty. E. L. Kelley who, after a personal investigation into the case, decided
that no inquest was necessary, though the authorities will investigate reports
that Pollack was supplied with liquor after having been posted.
Funeral arrangements have been made. That the council was hasty and unwarranted
in its action in posting Pollack is not the contention of the peoople intimately
acquainted with the man who say that he was not an excessive drinker and allege
that the request to have him posted, which came from the family, was not just
to Pollack. Pollack's home life is said not too have been pleasant of late, due
to various causes and the man is said to have been discouraged and this coupled
with the belief that he had been disgraced by his own flesh and blood, led him
to seek death. Pollack is survived by a widow and family of grown children.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Thurs., Jan. 9, 1908 page 1
**********
[cause: suicide-hanging]