Rudolf Kruzik-Vogel, the tortured soul

In May, 1908, Rudolf Kruzik-Vogel sent this photo of himself to his brother Karl in Vienna. Rudolf was not in the best mood, in fact he was miserable. He was once again out of job. He had quarrelled with his Berlin host parents and moved out. "We could not stand each other", he wrote. He had got engaged the previous Christmas and was now living with his in-laws. You'd think he'd be over the moon about his engagement. False alarm. He hated that life, "I'd rather hang myself", he wrote to his brother. "I'd like to come to Vienna again, but what would I do there? Please ask mother to put in a good word for me."

He mentioned "hanging himself" twice in his short message. Maybe as a figure of speech to add more drama to his misery. Maybe he was a chronic complainer. Or if he was contemplating suicide, I really hope he got help.

If I'm correct in my research, Rudolf Kruzik did not hang himself. Rudolf married Theresia née Bayer in 1913 in Iglau (Jihlava in today's Czech Rep). I don't know if she was the fiance in 1908. And looks like Rudolf found work again, his occupation was a state railway inspector.

He had been born in 1885 in Vienna to parents Karl Kruzik and Maria née Jerazik. He had indeed an older brother Karl Kruzik in Vienna. Rudolf passed away in 1940 in Berlin from tuberculosis.

I wish I knew more about this poor tortured soul!