U.S.M.A. Class of 1883
Vol. III
p369 2987 - (Born Pa.) - Louis Ostheim - (Ap'd Pa.) - 19
Military History. - Cadet at the Military Academy, Sep. 1, 1878, to June 13, 1883, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to
Second Lieut., 3d Artillery, June 13, 1883.
Served: in garrison at Jackson Barracks, La., Sep. 30, 1883, to May 30, 1885, - at Washington Barracks, D. C. (leave of absence, Sep. 25 to Oct. 25, 1886), to Dec. 20, 1886, - in charge of Ft. Myer, Va., to Apr. 15, 1887, - at Washington Barracks, D. C., to Aug. 30, 1888, - and Artillery School for Practice, Ft. Monroe, Va., to -----.
Vol. IV
p372 [Supplement, Vol. IV: 1890-1900]
Military History. - Served: Graduate of the Artillery School, 1890. - Attached to Light Battery C, 3d Artillery;
(First Lieut. of Artillery, 2d Artillery, May 22, 1891)
relieved from Light Battery C, Aug. 30, 1891. - On detached service, special recruiting for Light Artillery Battalion, stationed at St. Louis, Mo., from Nov., 1892, to Nov., 1893. - With Light Battery A, 2d Artillery, from Oct. 1, 1895 to April 1, 1898. - Temporary recruiting duty, March 15-22, 1898;
(Transferred to 6th Artillery, March 8, 1898)
with Light Battery G, June 8, 1898; Philippine expedition, 8th Army Corps; arrived in Manila, Aug. 20; stationed at Cavite, Oct. 21; in the field at Sam Polac, Manila, to Nov. 4; Mulate, Manila, Nov. 4-28. - Assistant to Chief Ordnance Officer and Ordnance Storekeeper, Manila Arsenal, from Nov. 28 to Dec. 23. - On Iloilo expedition, 1st Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps. - Assigned to command Provisional Gun Battery, Jan. 2, 1899. - In command of artillery at Jaro, P. I., from March, 1899 to -----; Engagements: Landing and capture of Iloilo, Feb. 11, 1899; capture of Jaro, Feb. 12, 1899; skirmish north of Jaro River, March 1, 1899; battle of Jaro River, March 16, 1899. - Returned to U. S., March, 1900.
Died by his own hand, April 9, 1900, at Chicago, Ill.: Aged 40.
ANNUAL REUNION, JUNE 12th, 1900.
LOUIS OSTHEIM.
No. 2987. CLASS OF 1883.
Died, April 8, 1900; at Chicago, Ill:, aged 40.
Captain Louis OSTHEIM, First United States Artillery, was found dead in his room at the Auditorium Annex late last night. There was a bullet wound in his right temple. Under his body was a new revolver. The body lay on the side and life apparently had been extinct since Saturday night.
According to announcements in the Chicago papers, Captain Ostheim and Mrs. Eva Bruce Wood were to be married here today at the residence of the bride's uncle, Walter B. Phister. After the ceremony Captain Ostheim and his bride were to leave immediately for the East, visiting Philadelphia, the Captain's former home, and other cities. After May 1 they were to be at home at Fort Screven, Savannah, Ga., where the Captain's battery is stationed. Among the articles found in the Captain's room were two wedding rings. One was of heavy gold and inscribed as follows: "Eva to Louis, April 9, 1900." The other was smaller and more delicately made. Inside was engraved: "Louis to Eva, April 9, 1900."
The only writing found was an address on an empty envelope, reading: "Miss Clara Ostheim; 1312 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, Penn."
The Captain registered at the Auditorium Annex on Monday, April 2, one week ago today. He seemed to be in excellent health. He was last seen alive on Saturday night at 9 o'clock, when he asked the clerk for the key to his room. When a chambermaid went to his room Sunday morning she found the door locked. This was not unusual and the girl went about her work in other rooms. Returning to Captain Ostheim's apartment she found the door still locked. Then she reported the circumstance to the office. The clerics concluded that the Captain was tired and desired a long sleep and made no effort to open the door until last night, when the body was found.
The only trouble the Captain had to worry him was insomnia. It is the theory of his friends that the Captain awoke Sunday morning in one of his nightmares and shot himself, not knowing what he was doing.
The Captain was born in Pennsylvania about thirty-eight years ago. Soon after joining the State militia he applied for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He passed his examinations and graduated in 1883. He became a Second Lieutenant of the Third Artillery on June 13, 1883. His first service was at Jackson Barracks, La., where he remained until 1885. He then secured a leave of absence for a year. On his return to the service Lieutenant Ostheim was placed in charge of Fort Myer, Va. He left that post on April 15, 1887, and went to Washington Barracks, in the District of Columbia. In 1888 he returned to the Artillery School for Practice, and on May 22, 1891, became First Lieutenant of the Second Artillery. In 1898 he was transferred to the Sixth Artillery.
When the Spanish-American war, broke out Lieutenant Ostheim was ordered to the Philippines. On October 16 the army register shows that Lieutenant Ostheim was transferred to the First Artillery as Captain, and was probably assigned to E Battery, as that was the only battery of that organization serving in the Philippines.
Captain Ostheim's military history throughout is a record of transfers to more important posts and of promotions in rank.
NEW YORK TIMES, April 9, 1900.
