David Waltz
Jan. 26, 1860-May 1, 1933
Eleanor Clapp Waltz
Apr. 12, 1868-May 1, 1933
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, May 2, 1933, page 1, col. 8, continued page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
DAVID WALTZ AND WIFE END LIVES
DISCOVER BODIES OF PROMINENT COUPLE IN GAS-FILLED ROOM
Note for Opening Safe Found Upstairs Near Typewriter
Plainly victims of a suicide pact, David D. Waltz, widely known many years as a Niles real estate and insurance broker, and his wife, Eleanor, both near 60 years of age, were found dead in their home, 70 N. St. Joseph avenue, early this afternoon.
The bodies were in the small kitchen, with doors and windows closed tight and three burners of the gas range open. It is believed that death pact was determined upon and carried out yesterday afternoon. Mr. Waltz was seen in a down town store at 2 o'clock yesterday.
POLICE SUMMONED
Police were summoned to the home by Mr. and Mrs. George Guyberson, next door neighbors residing at 74 N. St. Joseph avenue, who suspected something was amiss in the Waltz home because they had seen no sign of life about the place since 9:30 . . .illegible . . .The Guybersons saw a light in the upper rooms of the Waltz home at that hour. Investigators at first believed that the suicide pact has been carried out early Monday morning, however, Miss Grace McBride reported seeing Mr. Waltz in the A. & P. store on Main street early Monday afternoon.
Chief of Police George Francis and Patrolman Fred Solloway forced open a rear window and entered the house when they detected the odor of gas after being summoned by the Guybersons. Solloway entered first and found the bodies after passing through the rear room, a sort of storage room and opening to the rear kitchen door.
The body of Mr. Waltz, in stocking feet and clothed in a bathrobe, was lying face down and with knees doubled under on the floor immediately in front of the gas range. The body of Mrs. Waltz, clothed in a house dress, was seated in a chair at the kitchen table. From the position of Mr. Waltz's body it appeared he had leaned over the open gas burners inhaling the deadly fumes until he collapsed. Mrs. Waltz appeared to merely have fallen asleep.
Two coffee coups, each containing dregs of coffee, were n the table. The cup at Mr. Waltz' place was within the embrace of her left arm. No other food was on the table and none was prepared for serving. A percolator, empty, was on the back of the gas range.
The suicide pact apparently had planned for some time before it was carried out. The house was tidy in every respect, except that the twin beds in the upper bedroom they occupied were not made up.
Neatly arranged in various places about the rooms were documents, with notes explaining what was to be done (continued on Page Two) with them. Some insurance policies were thus marked.
Besides a covered typewriter in the upper hall was found a note giving the combination to the safe Mr. Waltz kept in the office he occupied with John Huff over the Reliable Home & Loan Association office.
Dr. R.B. Henderson, summoned by police, stated there was no doubt the deaths were the result of a suicide pact. Authorities searched for a note but could find none that might explain the tragedy. Mr. Waltz had been in ill health for several years, during which he had undergone several operations.
That the death took place before last night was indicated by the finding of yesterday's copy of The Star in the door where the newsboy had left it.
Chief of Police Francis summoned Justice of the Peace Robert Roebeck to act in capacity of coroner. Roebeck selected a coroner's jury from among those who gathered at the house and set the inquest at his office for 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
The jurors are George Guyberson, W.C. Rice, Charles Miller, Marshall Grathwohl, Leavitt Brown and Walter Skalla.
The bodies were removed to the Price & Kiger undertaking rooms.
Mrs. Waltz had resided in Niles all her life. Her maiden name was Eleanor Bliss Clapp.
Mrs. Waltz was a member of a pioneer Niles family. She was a twin daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. George B. Clapp. Judge Clapp presided for many years on the Berrien County circuit court bench. The other twin sister is Mrs. Elbert Nicholson, of Sturgis, Mich.
Mrs. Waltz's sister, Mrs. D.A. Van . . .illegible. . . her marriage, Mrs. Waltz and her husband continued to live in the Clapp family home in which the two ended their lives. They had no children.
Mr. and Mrs. Waltz were members of the Niles Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Waltz was a member of the Niles Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and for many years was an officer in the chapter. She was also a member of the Seepewa Literary club and active in its work.
Her Niles friends regarded her as a competent business woman. She spent much of her time assisting her husband in his insurance business.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, May 4, 11833, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
CONDUCT FUNERAL FOR WALTZ COUPLE
Private Services Held at Niles Chapel for Prominent Pair
Private double funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. David Waltz, who were found dead Tuesday afternoon at their home, were conducted this morning at the Troost and Augustine funeral chapel by the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Niles Presbyterian church.
The two died of self-administered gas, a coroner's jury reported.
Relatives, immediate friends and the Seepewa club attended the services. Pallbearers for Mr. Waltz were: John Tynan, John H. Huff, Charles Silsbee, Edwin J. Donahue, Arthur G. Stone and James Patterson. Mrs. Waltz's casket was borne by Lewis Gulbranson, Harry L. Fox, C.S. Quimby, Lester Platt, F.W. Richter and Floyd Wood. Burial was made in the Clapp-Beeson-Waltz family lot in Silverbrook cemetery.
