ROBERT A. BARTLING

 

1959

SUICIDE VICTIM IS FOUND

A group of squirrel hunters discovered a suicide victim about 8:30 a.m. today in a woods about seven and one-half miles west of Princeton.

 

The victim, Robert Bartling, 34, of Princeton and Owensboro, Ky. was pronounced dead as the result of suicide by Gibson County Coroner Robert Kendall.

 

Death occurred about 10 p.m. Thursday, Kendall said.

 

According to Deputy Sheriffs Frank Coomer and Eldon Bates, who investigated along with Kendall, Bartling was found in the front seat of his -58 Ford dead of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

A green garden hose had been connected to the car's exhaust pipe and run through the ventilating window of the driver's window.  Police said cracks around windows and doors had been sealed with rag.

The auto's engine was still running when the victim was found by Donald Kemper, his son, Jackie, and William Hart, all of Princeton.  Shortly after discovering the body, three more squirrel hunters arrived on the scene.  They were Jim Byrnes and Jack and Fred Shinder, all of Princeton rural route.

 

The auto was on the edge of a small woods just off State Route 64 on what is known as Gob Road.

 

According to investigating officers Bartling had made three prior attempts at suicide.  In the past he had cut his wrist, taken pills and had unsuccessfully tried to take his own life by carbon monoxide poisoning, officers said.

 

It was reported that the victim was the father of two children and had been making his home with Paul Gregory, 127 S. Madison, Princeton.

 

It was also learned that he was a native of Oklahoma.

 

The body is at Wright and Kendall Funeral Home pending completion of final arrangements.

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The body of Robert A. Bartling 34, who took his own life Thursday night by carbon monoxide poisoning, has been taken from Wright and Kendall Funeral Home to Owensboro, Ky. for services and burial.

 

Mr. Bartling, an oil field worker from Princeton and Owensboro, was found dead in his car by a group of squirrel hunters about seven and one half miles west of Princeton Friday morning.

 

Surviving are two children, Freddie, Joe and Debra Jean both of Oklahoma City, Okla; two brother, Almon, Derango, Colo; and Henry, Denver, Color; four sisters, Mrs. Reba Igafus and Mrs. Mary Morris, Montrose, Colo., Mrs Vera Braann, South Pasadena, Calif; and Mrs. Ruth Sandell, Leicester, Mass.

 

 

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Originally submitted by Betty Sellers