After the trial, it was only the next day, November 13, 1888, when the attorneys started pointing fingers at each other. The defense lawyers accused John J. Winn of being the author of the article in the Defiance Daily Crescent. The newspaper came back strongly, stating that it does not hire attorneys to write for them. Mr. Woods, one of the defense attorneys, thought the plaintiff's attorneys were "trying to bulldoze his clients." It was said that Mrs. Leffler lived in luxury in Rochester. When John Leffler left, he took nothing with him, leaving her with all their possessions. The case was still up for appeal.
At the end of November, Johnnie Leffler, the only son of John Leffler and Mary Buck, died. His obituary appeared in the newspaper on November 30, 1888:
"Last Thursday afternoon, Johnnie Leffler, aged seven years, died. He was the son of John and Mary Leffler, who figured in an interesting case at the last term of Common Pleas Court. The court allowed Mrs. Leffler $500 for the boy's support, but now as he is dead, the entire property of John Leffler will no doubt go to the plaintiff in the case."
The Defiance Daily Crescent reported the death of Uncle John Leffler on January 23, 1892:
"DEATH OF 'UNCLE
John Leffler died this morning at 5 o'clock at his residence on Clinton street The deceased was 59 years, 3 months and 21 days old and was well known, having been in the saloon business here for a number of years.
Mr. Leffler was better known as 'Uncle,' having been called by that name ever since he has been in business in this city. His funeral will be conducted by Rev. C. H. Schoepfle at his late residence Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock and his remains will be interred in Riverside Cemetery."
Now alone, without husband or son, Mary grew despondent. John and Mary ran a saloon on Clinton Street, but after his death, Mary and her brother, Fred Buch, took over. She argued with her brother frequently, according to witnesses. About three months after her husband's death, she had made her plan in the the depths of sadness and hopelessness.
March 30, 1892 -
"IT WAS SUICIDE. MRS. MARY LEFFLER TAKES AN OVER DOSE OF ACONITE - SHE WANTED TO GO HOME TO HER CHILDREN..
Dr. J. D. Westrick was called to the residence of Mrs. Mary Leffler, over her saloon, on Clinton Street, Monday morning at 9:30 and found her suffering from narcotic poisoning. She was unconscious, breathing labored and slow, pulse, weak and temperature below normal. She was then really in a dying condition and though the doctor work with all the might and main to save her, the unfortunate woman expired at 12 o'clock.
The following is a translation from the German of a note left by the deceased:
DEFIANCE, March 24, 1892 - John Leffler's will was, if he dies first, everything belongs to me, and nothing shall go to his relations because they stole from him three years ago; and my will is, bury me decently and what is left belongs to my brother's children in Rochester, one in Germany and to the brother that is here. Do not blame me for what I have done. I want to go home to my children and to John Leffler. Mary Leffler
That note and other evidence that has since been adduced shows conclusively that the woman committed suicide. A 2 oz bottle containing about 2 drams of aconite was found in the room. Every indication was to the effect that she died of aconite poisoning. It is not known how much of the contents of the bottle she drank, but it is the supposition that she took it all, excepting the two drams found in the bottle. It is not known when the poison was taken, but as she was sick and vomited Sunday evening, between 8 and 9 o'clock, it is thought it was taken prior to that time. Then again, it is said that she had been drinking quite freely during the evening and that leaves the question open as to whether her sickness early in the evening was caused by the poison or resulted from an overdose of whisky. There is no question, however, but that she died of an overdose of aconite, though if she had taken 1 oz. instead of the amount that it is supposed she did take, death would have ensued much sooner than it did.
The husband of this woman, John Leffler, died some three or four months ago and left her in fairly good circumstances. Since that time, she has been running her saloon next to the Russell House, her brother, Fred Buch, working for her as barkeeper. No reason can be assigned for the rash act, other than that she'd grown despondent over the death of her husband and quarreled with her brother.
After the death of Mrs. Leffler, Coroner Westrick began an investigation , but being satisfied that she committed suicide, did not complete it. He examined A. E. Schoninger, the butcher, who has a shop next to the saloon. He said that she had appeared low spirited since the death of her husband and seemed to worry a good deal over the matter. Never heard her say she would commit suicide. She was at his shop at 9 o'clock Sunday morning and purchased some meat. She was alright then. That was the day following the date of the note given above.
Amanda Miller was with her Sunday and though she talked rather despondently, did not think she would kill herself. Some two or three weeks ago, she had talked to Mrs. Leffler and deceased then asked her to see when she come to died, that she was properly buried.
Mrs. John Ritchey, who occupied rooms across the hall from the Lefflers, testified that she saw nothing unusual in the appearance of Mrs. Leffler Sunday. Had heard Mrs. Leffler and her brother, Fred Buch, quarrel a good deal. Heard Mrs. Leffler say that it would have to come to an end in a few weeks, as she could not stand it any longer.
Mrs. Leffler was a German, and aged 42 years at the time of her death. The note, which is given above, was written in German. There is nothing to show in the writing that the writer was in any way agitated. The funeral occurred from the Lefler residence at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning.
Since the above was written, the coroner has found that Mrs. Leffler came to her death by her own hand."
(No marriage license could be found for Mary Buch/Buck and John Leffler. Perhaps it became a common law marriage after awhile, or maybe John was never given permission from New York to marry.)
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