The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-20
TIE REIGN OF sUsGIBM.
Another Chapter Of Despair and Death-Sni-
eide Of German Gentleman In st. Louis.

Another Chapter Of Despair and Death-Sni-
eide Of a German Gentleman In St. Louis.
From the st. Louis Republican, Dec. III
suicide, attended with melancholy and curiol =
circumstances. was found yesterday to nave been
committed in small room IN the rear OF the build-
ing 515 South Fourth street, between Almond AMI
Poplar streets.
The victim was German gentleman, named Paul
Frederick Fiebch, who had been in this country
about year His history Is somewhat different from
that OF the great body OF emigrants who arrive here
ne formerly occupying position OF considerable M
portance at Wurtemberg and being a man OF no
ordinary intelligence and education. From state
ments made by his friends here. II appears that ne
had been taxgatherer but lost his position in con-
sequence OF some difference with his superiors.
After this he obtained n less remuneratlve position
railroad Inspector which he also lost ana he at
length decided 10 try his fortunes in tins country.
He emigrated with his family and came TO st. Louis
in the fall OF 1867
Shortly after this he started barroom in East St.
Louis, and kept 1t for few months, when he finally
gave 1t up. About four months ago he advertised
Tor situation as farmer, stating that he had studied
Professor Hummel saw the advertisement, ana as
he had studied al the same place he introduced him.
self to him. Mr.. Fiebich obtained a situation a
farm, but not such as he desired, ne and his wife
having some severe manual labor to perform. While
at this place Mrs. Flebich was taken sick with the
fever and they had to leave Professor Hummel
aid they were provided with room, while Mrs.
Iieblch was gwen work as seamstress by
Mrs. Hummel when she recovered. She fol-
lowed this occupation for Il month, supporting her
husband and two children by her earnings. Sick
II,
other month had passed Mrs. Fieblch was corpse.
She is described as most amlabe lady, with great
affection for her husband and children she died
about four weeks since.
This event threw Mr.. F1ebich into an extreme
state OF despondency, which his friends tried TO
dissipate The funeral expenses were paid by the
neighbors and some twenty dollars additional. The
two children were cared for by Mrs. Hummel and
were placed under the charge OF Mr.. Schoetler, az
ter iruitless attempt had been made to get them
into an orphan asylum.
Pecuniary assistance was given to Fiebicb by
friends but he could not get work to suit him. He
began to think that life now meaningless Tor
him, and instead OF trying TO overcome the thought
only strengthened 1t by gloomy f0rebodngs. At
various times he threatened TO kill himself but he
was only laughed at for what were considered wild
He carried his determination, however into effect.
He purchased some morphine, as the most agreeable
on MONDAY evening when he was observed gong in
his room. On Tuesday night friend called at the
room, but got no answer to knocking at the door,
and he did not try to open 1t. Yesterday morning
Deputy Marshal Osterhorn called 10 serve a subpoena
upon Fiebich to attend the Criminal Court. He APP
pears to nave followed the same course as the other
person, and left the subpoena at Mr. Boesenbergs,
shoemaker, next door, to be given to him.
Suspicion was aroused that all was not right. and
officers shaw ana BOticher were communicated
with. They came 10 the place and found the door
unlocked They opened 1t and were met by
the bed In the Here they found the body Of
Ficbch covered with clothes and quite dead. De-
composition had sci In rapidly and made ravases
strong, heavily built and full bearded man. The
room was by no means scantily furnished, and the
deceased had made careful preparations for the
deed. on the table were placed, under weights, q
letter explanatory OF the OF the rash act and
seif. The deceased was tllrrysix Years id.
The coroner was notified or the suicide and an
inquest was held. Mr.. Praedicow, the deputy cor
oner made a post-mortem examination. and after
the witnesses had been examined the jury returned
a verdict that the deceased died from an overdose
OF morphine, administered by his own hand.
Some morphine was found near the deceased.
The following Is an extract from the autobiography
OF the deceased
NV name Is Paul Frederick Fiebich. son OF a for.
ester at Oberndorf In Nuremberg. Born Marcn j.
1892 Married the daughter Of man named Gack
who kept the bookstore IN Rottenburg. Her name
was Matilda Gack. We were married on the 2lst OF
November, 1854 We have had two children: ore
named Caroline Naialia born November O. 1855; the
other II Charles Adolphe born January 10, 1897.
Wife died on Thursday, November ~ lsos, NJ 1915.
OF typhoid fever. She was thirty-two years, ten
Then followed IA pages or brown tissue paper
closely written In eloquent aud learned German on
MS ne MISFORTUNE an .ne causes ,na, prompeed
he disposes OF trinkets TO his children and desires
the photographed sketch 10 be sent TO his people
in-law
The following IL O free translation Of the letter
that accompanied the lfe-sketch he had written
with so much thought and CARE - :, -.
II In four weeks since the death OF my beloved wife
Matilda, and words cannot express my sorrow for
her. Her memory has haunted me for the past four
weeks, and my mental anguish grew worse every
day. At our marriage determined we should live
being frustrated and all my llfe's efforts rendered
! now die by my own hand. would
have done so on the death Of my beloved wife had
not love for our children deferred me. hoped my
circumstances would improve that might be able
10 rear and educate my children but fate seemed
against me. have given away my poor children,
and hopelessness or ever being able 70 regain them
or their love prompts me 10 the ACT regret not
having my children by me rs ! die that may kiss
them aoodbv. I bequeath my best love TO my
children, and pray to God that He may g1ve them
good health and take them under His protection
and lead and guide them through their lifetime.
pray God to give them longer and happier life
tban their mother or ! have had. Both these gold
rings beside tins letter. are the wedding rings OF
their parents lwant the larger TO be given to
Adopbe, and the other TO my daughter Natalia. I
desire my children never TO part with these rings,
rs they VIII prove "a monitor 10 them through life.
fhc two photographs OF their mother are 10 be
given one TO the boy, and one 20 the girl. The
photograph OF myself let IL be given to nv boy
Adophe. The vGsket lying near g 70 be given to
>ataa. The children are with Mr.. Schoettier, and
TO him give my thanks and dying blessing and beg
" him to be father 10 the poor orphans. The box
containing Catholic prayer book bequcath to my
son. My biographical sketch | desire sent TO the
ather and mother OF my beloved Matilda TO Rotten
Jtirg, that they may know Of my death, and the
reasgns thnt promps me TO the rash ACT. breast
pm and earrings IN pawn want released by some
more OF my effects, aud the earrings gwen to my
daughter and tha breastpn 10 my SON. God bless you
All AMI forgive me-
PAUL. FREDERICK FiEBIgII