Daily national Democrat., 1859-01-05
A Fearful Tragedy at St. Louis.

The Overland Mail brings the following
intelligence from st. Louis:
certain Dr. E. Van Roecke about q
month ago came from Illinois, and settled
in the practice of his profession in Fourth
street No. 67, between Myrtle and Spruce
Whilst residing in Illinois he paid occa-
sional visits to this city, and formed the ac
quaintance of very interesting young lady,
Miss Mary Ann Linhoff, sister of Henry Lin
hof, well known respectable citizen, form
erly in business with a gentleman named
Poirie About four weeks ago, Roecke and
Miss Linhof were married. Three days af
ter the union domestic troubles began, the
Doctor treating his wife shamefully, and
calling her by the most opprobrious names.
A few days ago an unlocked for revelation
was made Letters from another wife in
Germany fell into the hands of the new Mrs.
ROecke, and the latter's grief, as may be i'm
agued, was excessive on learning that she
had been so outrageously deceived, and she
Immediately sought the advice of her friends
The letters showed that Roecke had been
living under an assumed name, and that his
real name was Leonhard Edward Roech
August Hoffman, summoned by the Coroner
at an inquest yesterday, stated that on Tues
day he went to Henry LinhOff and apprised
him of the shocking disclosures of the letters
above mentioned, and consulted with him as
to what woad be the best course to pursue
in order to protect his (Linhof's 81 sisters hon
or Linhof was overpowered by the intelli-
gence he had Just heard. At the same time
Hoffman revealed that he had heard the
doctor several times say that he would leave
his wife and kill him Oinhoff,) whom he
called by insulting names.
Yesterday morning, a little before four
O'clock to pursue the witness story, Linhoff
went to Hoffman and said he could not sleep.
After some conversation the two determined
to wait until one o'clock, go to the doctor
and ask him whether or not the letters told
the truth. At the time agreed on they went,
and after going in the office the doctor lock
ed the door. There were two long knives
on the table, and Hoffman was alarmed.
ROecke sat down near the table and Hof
nan seated himself west of him, on purpose,
@he SAYS to watch him in case he should
Atempt anything against l.. The doctors
hand was on one of the knives while Linhoff
began walking up and down the room. The
conversation at first was on different subjects.
When LinhOf, who had appeared perfectly
cool, asked Roecke if his wife in the old
country was living or dead, the doctor did
not return an answer for awhile, and then
said eyes, | have a wife, and have been
married ten years, left her because she
was cripple" Linhoff then inquired of him
what he would do for the satisfaction of his
sister, at the same time telling him that he
deceived and dishonored her. Roecke replied
by some very harsh and defamatory terms
in relation to Linhoff's sister, whereupon
Linhof pulled pistol from his pocket pre-
sented it and fired The doctor rose took
one step and fell corpse The ball had
penetrated the heart, passing through both
Ventrices. He moaned once, but did not
speak from the time Of the report until he
expired. Immediately afterwards, Linhoff
left and walked straitway to the Office of
Justice Peter w. Johnstone, where he sur
rendered himselfinto the hands of the Off
GERS He was then committed to Jail to
await On examination
Hoffman, in his testimony at the inquest,
said that he knew that Linhoff had pistol
With him, but thought it was to protect him
self against the threats lately uttered by the
Doctor. He stated that he went to Rockies
olce simply to ask him if the letters were
;;;ae, and, if SO, to have him prosecuted for
elSamy. He swore that, to the best of his
knowledge, Linhof had no intention of kill
ing the doctor when they went to his office.
After hearing the evidence, the Coroner's
Jury brought in a verdict that the deceased
came to his death by ball passing through
i4e heart, shot from pistol in the hands OF
Henry Linhoff.
hoffman was required to give bail in the
sum Oi 5000 for his appearance as witness.