Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1915 — “SPY” HANGS HIMSELF [ARTICLE]

“SPY” HANGS HIMSELF

KUEPFERLE -ENDS LIFE IN JAIL IN ENGLAND. C. Leaves Note Saying That He Could Not Bear to Mount Scaffold for Such a Death. By JOHN C. FOSTER. International News Service Correspondent. London, Maj- 21. —Anton Kuepferle. the alleged German spy, who was charged with communicating naval and military secrets to England’s enemies, committed suicide in his cell in Brixton jail by hanging, thus bringing the trial to a tragic and sudden close. The body was found when a warden entered Kuepferle’s cell to deliver his breakfast. Kuepferle left the following message upon a slate provided for the .use ol .prisoners: - . J To whom it mar concern: “I am a soldier with a rank which I do not desire to mention. I can say that J have had a fair trial in the United Kingdom, but I am unable to stand the strain any longer and so have de cided to take the law into my own hands. I have fought in many battles, but death is alone my salvation now. I would have preferred a death by shooting at the hands of soldiers as it has been my wish that I should never ascend the scaffold as a—At this point in the letter Kuepferle had drawn a Masonic sign upon the slate. The letter continues: “I hope the Almighty architect of this universe will lead me into the unknown land. I am not dying as a spy, but as a soldier. I stood as a man, but I cannot be a liar and per jure myself. Kindly I shall ask that notification of my death be sent to my uncle, Ambrose Droll of Solingen, Germany. All my estate belongs tc him. What 1 have done I have done for my country. I shall express my thanks and may the Lord bless you all and yours—Kuepferle.” Ori the other side of the slate was written: “I was born on June 11, 1883.” The trials of Muller and Hahn, whc were indicted with Kuepferle will be gin at Old Bailey on June 1.