The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-06
SUICIDE AT HoBoKEy.
A German Custom House Broker Shoots Him
self Through the Head While in a Fit .

A German Custom House Broker Shoot. Hint
self Through the Head While in a Fit 81
Dependency. - III q.
SHORTLY after four O'Clock yesterday morning
Augustus Bernstein, a Custom House broker. doing
business at 81 william street, New York. and resid
ing at III Meadow street, Hob0ken, committed sui
eide by shooting himself through the forehead with
a revolver while lying In bed. Mr.. Bernstein's
father, an old gentleman eighty years of age, and
the housekeeper, Mrs. Echhorn, with the
bookkeeper Walter, were the only other occupants
Of the house at the time. 1t appears that no
particular attention was paid to the report OF the
pistol at the tme and it only at ten O'Clock that
the matter was promulgated. Deceased was forty
years OF age On the bedroom table was found
torn envelope addressed to deceased and the follow
ing words in his own NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to
DEATH not guilty. the last two words being written
in separate line. He was divorced from his wife at
the suit of the latter in Philadelphia about six years
ago. Coroner White held an Inquest, and the f0I0w-
ing evidence was ecited:-
Anna Margaret Echhorn deposed that she lived
At III Meadow street: has been housekeeper at M,
Bernstein's for five years; after four O'Clock
s eara hes M e 9 tne S no ee
up when heard the report; there were three other
persons In the house besides deceased saw deceased
last alive O'Clock last evening; he took hts
supper; after that he remained down stairs some
time and then retired to his sleeping room;
tween eight and nine O'Clock in the morn
ing told frequently s,d he e., , we're
this morning nine went to call him, but received
no answer; tereupOn went down stairs and in
formed the old father, who at once came up with
me; we called and received answer: at first the
keyhole appeared to be covered, but when Mr.. Bern
stein Knocked at the door the covering fell then
covered with blood: told the old gentleman what
i had seen, and he told me to hurry and call
he the toa me he m 90 just
now, but referred me to officer Eckel who Ire said
would attend TO it; Eckel and MT: Crane came soon
which they found locked Mr. Crane went ont through
the windowon the shed, and opened the window otthe
room Of deceased and looked IN; ne at once returned
and forced open the door, when he saw that Mr..
Bernstein had shot himself. .al % -rr
Dr. Julian deposed ne made post mortem exam
nation Of the body Of August Bernstein and found
aperture in the skull, an inch above the brow,
racInrc pssars III ronT the onta bone extending
backwards on the right side; the substance Of tho
brain was acerated 10 the depth OF two and hair
inches: found pistol bullet; death must have been
instantaneous, aud resulted from paralysis Of the
brain. caused by the penetration OF the bullet
". examinetl--Ama druggist have been acquainted
with deceased for the last thirty years. his once IN
"a william street scr 'e r so ,
believe that he overworked himself and that his
brain was impaired in consequence; eight or ten
weeks ago he came TO me and told me stories that
existed only in his Imagination; he fanced that his
wife, from whom he had been divorced, was following
only spies on him. trying to detect some frauds IN
his Custom House business; when / saw his situs-
ton advised him to go to Europe Tor a short nme'
but the day OF sailing his father took sick and he
postponed the trip; within the last eight days his
condition became 80 much worse that was pre-
pared to hear nothing good Of him when I
saw him last he was very much excited ne
fancied everybody was logging him, and his old
memories haunted him: he gave me his power Oh
attorney and entrusted his business 10 Dis book
keeper. !.
Henry Walter sworn-Live at III Meadow street;
have been bookkeper for deceased for the past two
years: have had charge Of the business OF Deceased
in his absence: the ONCE remained open and pusl
ness was transacted to-day usual; deceased gave
Inc power Of attorney the 9th OF Nay; yesterday
afternoon Thursday he told rs TO close up an hour
earlier than usual: heard him say lately ne
was tired OF business and was going TO give 10 mp;
he acted In a strange manner ut times and ives very
suspicious Of his employees; he was sober In hrs
habits and did not drink; thought II singular that
he should order US to close up early yesterday; ne
never did so before.
The jury returned verdict that Augustus Bern.
stein came 10 his death from the effects Of pistol
shot, indicted by his hand while laD0riDg under
mental alteration.