The article below appeared in the June 20, 1892 Binghamton Republican

JOSEPH LAURER SUICIDES
A WELL KNOWN BREWER HANGS HIMSELF
His Brother Finds Him Suspended
From a Beam in the Tower of the New Brewery
Overwork and Insomnia Unbalance His Mind
His rash Act Shocks All His Friends

Joseph Laurer, the manager and treasurer and one of the largest stockholders of the Joseph Laurer Brewing Company, committed suicide Saturday by hanging himself in the tower of the new brewery building on Laurel Avenue. He was undoubtedly deranged when he committed the act. Since the inception of the project to establish the brewery here he has been busily engaged in perfecting plans, superintending the erection of the building, the placing of machinery and the brewing of the first output of the lager, which was to have been put on the market next Saturday. His multitudinous business cares and physical activities wore upon his health. About two weeks ago he began to suffer insomnia and since then obtained little, if any, sleep. Although complaining of not feeling well, yet he controlled his actions so that he did not excite the suspicions of his relatives, or friends until a few hours before killing himself, when he appeared very restless and nervous.

He was last seen alive about 9 o'clock Saturday morning. His advice was needed on different matters during the day, and as he could not be found anywhere about the premises or his home, his relatives and friends became anxious. A pretty thorough search of the big brewery was made and it was decided that he left the premises. About 5:30 o'clock an employee was sent to the upper story of the tower, where some grain was stored, to close the windows to guard against rain coming in. While there he noticed Mr. Laurer [illegible...] and coming downstairs informed a brother of the [illegible...] expected worst at once started up the tower. On entering the room under the cupola he was horrified on seeing his brother's body dangling from the end of a rope attached to a beam near the apex of the tower.

Mr. Laurer had apparently made arrangements for self destruction with deliberation. He had procured a new rope, or rather heavy white cord, and climbed the ladder in the cupola, used only when the flag is run up the pole, fastened the cord securely to a cross beam near the ladder. After knotting it and placing the noose around his neck, he stepped from the ladder, swung into space, and strangled to death. His body was so near the ladder that he could have touched it with his hand had he wished to.

When found his face and hands were slightly discolored. Coroner Pierce was summoned and after viewing the remains decided not to hold an inquest. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning undoubtedly from his late residence No. 9 West Cedar Street. The deceased is survived by his wife whom he married twenty two years ago and by five children. He was born in Germany 44 years ago and came to this country when nineteen years of age.

He had been engaged in the brewery business in Rochester and Utica and had been very successful. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and the Binghamton Lodge of Elks. His tragic death shocked not only his family but also his friends here, of whom he had made a large number since coming to this city a year ago.

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Tribute to Joseph Laurer who died June 18, 1892

[resolution document]

At a meeting of the board of Directors of
The Jos. Laurer Brewing Co. of Binghamton, N.Y. held June 29th, 1892 The following preamble and resolutions were adopted......WHEREAS
Providence in its inscrutable wisdom has seen fit, so suddenly, to remove from earth our beloved friend
JOSEPH LAURER
at a time when success was about to crown life's labors and fittingly reward a life of easeless care and toil, leaving a void in this body and in the responsible position, the duties of which he so diligently and honorably discharged. Therefore beit RESOLVED; That in the death of Joseph Laurer, this body has has lost a wise, careful, and conscientious counsellor and a friend to be esteemed for his worth. That his sorrowing family has lost a kind and considerate husband, an indulgent and loving father: that this community has lost an upright citizen, and his associates a thoughtful and generous friend. ~~~~~~~~~Beit further RESOLVED; That a properly engrossed copy of this tribute to his memory be transmitted to his bereaved family. L.S. Baldwin ~ Jacob Schwab ~ John O'Hara

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From Western Brewer July,1892;

"Jos.Laurer, treasurer and manager of Laurer Bwg.Co. Binghamton, N.Y. commited suicide by hanging himself during the night of June 18. Mr.Laurer had recently gone to Binghahton from Rochester, N.Y. and had been working very hard superintending the erection of a brewery building, and for some time had been afflicted with insomnia, which, it is thought, unsettled his mind. No othercause for his fatal deed can be assigned"
Above article is by courtesy of Jim Freeman

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Revised: 11/15/04