AUTER, Peter
Source: Indianapolis Journal Fri 13 June 1890 p 3
Veedersburg, June 12 – Dr. Young, the coroner, was aroused this morning about 6 o’clock to hold an inquest over the body of Peter Auter, a farmer living four miles north of this place. Auter went to bed last night in a seemingly happy frame of mind, and when his wife called to him this morning to build a fire, he quickly arouses himself and started for the wood pile. Instead of going after wood, he hastened to the barn, secured a rope halter, climbed into the hay-mow, fastened it to the rafter, tied his hands together with a handkerchief, and jumped off, breaking his neck and soon dying. Mr. Auter has lived in this county for 35 years and was a very much respected old gentleman of about 68 years. Financial affairs seem to be the cause as he at one time owned a very fine farm, but is now compelled to rent. - transcribed by kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Thursday, 12, June 1890 Edition
Veedersburg, June 12—Peter Auter - A farmer three miles of this place, committed suicide some time last night by hanging himself in the barn. When found this morning, the body was cold. The only possible reason which can be given for the deed is that he had recently been sued and for the first time in his life. It worried him very much and today was the day for him to appear in court. He was 50 years old, a man of family and very highly respected.
Note: Buried Beulah Cemetery Attica – 27 Dec 1822 – 12 June 1890
Source: Fountain County Herald Friday June 13, 1890 – thanks to findagrave
"Peter Auter, farmer, Rob Roy, son of James and Martha (Malatt) Auter, was born in Montgomery county Ohio, December 27 1822. His father died when he was eight years old and in October of this same year (1830) his mother emigrated with her family of six children, Harvey, Peter, John, Mary Jane, Elizabeth, and Ann to Shawnee township stopping first in Rob Roy, with the exception of three years that he was in Richland, he has lived here since. His mother died in September 1848.
He was married January 6 1848 to Sarah Clawson, daughter of Abraham Clawson, who came to this township from Pickaway county Ohio, in the fall of 1825, and improved the farm now owned by Ben Malatt. Mrs. Auter was born on this place in 1830. They have had eleven children; Elizabeth, b. March 3 1849, Margaret b. August 29 1851, d. January 25 1856, Abram b. August 12 1853, John b. February 25 1856, Wilson b. November 24 1857, d. August 12 1860, Marshal b. October 5 1859, Solomon b. April 7 1861, Martha Ellen b. February 14 1866, Susie b. January 1 1869, and Edgar Ingo b. May 8 1871.
Mrs. Auter belongs to the Christian Church. Her father had two children Sarah and Jonathon. The latter was a member of the 76th Ill. Vols. And died of disease in 1864 at Bolivar Tennessee, after two years service.
Mr. Auter was drafted and furnished a substitute for the army at a cost to him of $1200. He is a democrat." - History of Fountain County, Indiana by H.W. Beckwith, 1881
"About six o'clock this morning, Dr. Young, the coroner, was called to hold an inquest over the body of Peter Auter, a farmer living four mile northeast of town. A Herald man hastened to the scene and learned the following particulars: About four o'clock this morning his wife awoke and arousing him told him to build a fire. He got up, put on his clothes and started out to the woodpile for some kindling. Instead of going for the wood, he went on to the barn, where the deed was committed. He locked all the doors except one, went to the buggy took off his hat, secured a rope halter, climbed into the hay loft and tied the rope to one of the rafters, tied the rope around his neck, tied his hands with his handkerchief, and jumped off, breaking his neck, and soon died.
His wife after getting up, thought he was a rather long time getting a fire started, and began looking for him. In about twenty minutes, not finding him in the yard, she hastened to the barn, and finding an entrance after many trials, she behold one of the most horrible sights; her partner in life for many years, hanging there, life extinct. She began screaming, which brought the family, two sons and a daughter to her assistance, and their cries arrested the attention of their neighbors, who came and cut down the body.
Mr. Auter has lived in this county about thirty-five years and was at one time the owner of the fine farm near Shawnee Mound, but through some unknown trouble, lost it, which pried upon his mind very much to think that he, at this old age, should be compelled to rent.
He went to bed the night before feeling very jovial. He is about 68 years of age, and never did any hard work, as his town boys would not allow him to do anything but the light chores about the house. He was in Attica last week and while there was sued by one of the merchants for a small sum he owned him. It being the first time he had ever had a law-suit worried his mind very much. He was very susceptible to trouble and those are supposed to be the cause of his taking his life. The calamity coming so sudden will cause the family much sorrow, as he was always a kind and indulgent husband and father.
They lived on Mr. Moorhouse's place only a short time but they have made many friends out of their neighbors, so they may expect kind treatment from that source. The bereaved have our heartfelt sympathy and hope that this sudden death will cause no more trouble." – Fountain Herald, Friday, June 13 (June 26, 1890)