The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-11-08
OFF THE HIGH BRIDGE.
The Fate Of a Man Who Was
Deceived and Defrauded.
ROBBED OF FORTUNE AND WIFE.
The circumstances which Prompted n
Desperate Man to Take His Life.

William Hildebrandt. who committed
suicide by shooting himself, near High
Bridge. \. Y, on Saturday. resided with
his wife and son at No.331 Seventeenth street
in this city, and about two years ago created
considerable local excitement in legal cir
cles in consequence of the suit instituted i'm
the Supreme Court against William t.
Ogden, the New York millionaire
whom he charged with the seduction
OF his wife. The note explaining why he
committed suicide. which was found i'm the
hat worn by the deceased. read as follows:
Please call William b; Ogden (alias Tomp-
kins( High Bridge. He can identity me
He is the Ruin of my familee. and the fault
of my suicide. he keeps me out of my money
wrongfully God says don't wish the death
of the sinner, but that he may live
1 hope he may be merciful To
my soul, and receive me in mercy.
The suit against Mr.. Ogden was tried be-
fore Justice Pratt, in this city, about two
wears ago, the Count Johannes and Mr.. w.
l.. Whiting appearing as counsel for the
complainant, and Judge Sinnot, the private
counsel of Gov. Tilden for Mr. Ogden. The
suit was dismissed on legal technicality.
Hildebrandt being unable to produce some
important papers which were necessary TO
sustain his suit
Among the papers found on the deceased
was note certifying that Mr.. Hildebrandt
was effected with cataracts in the
eyes to such an extent as to
disable him from obtaining liv-
ing by his own labor" This note, which
was signed with the name of Arthur Math-
ewsen NJ. D., surgeon 10 the Brooklyn eve
and ear hospital, had evidently been used
by Hildebrandt to excite the sympathy of
charitable persons in his behalf. slip
clipped from the columns of the New York
Sun, which was also found in the diary. re-
ported motion before Judge Barnard for
leave 10 file a supplementary complaint in
the action of William Iiildebrandt and wife
against William B. Ogden, Involving the
seduction OF the plaintiff wife, birth OF an
illegitimate child, and alleged published
libelS" The following bill against Ogden,
evidently drafted shortly before the death of
IIildebrandt was found among the docu-
mentS in his possession
William HiIdebrandt ami wife against
Not. dus. August g. 1896 - - 81 600
Simple interest on note from August q,
1866, 10 August o. lSI6...-. ................. 200
IntersSi ON bonds at per snn1oiy iVo'
from August q, 1865 10 August q, 1876. ESQ
Total amount. .............s,t 900
Six months interest has bsen paid bonds.
1t appears that previous 10 the motion the
suit OF Hildebrandt against Ogden mad been
compromised for the sum OF $4,000. All
the circumstances surrounding the suicide
point to the suppoSition that lIildebrandt
had been to the Ogden residence for money.
and that in consequence of non-com pliancc
with his demands he was rendered desper-
ate. and while in that condition shot
himself on reaching the public
highway The son of deceased says
that his father was intimately connected
with Mr.. Ogden for years in the Canadian
fur trade, and that he lost fortune of over
100000 in the Chicago fire, after which he
came to New York and settled with his fam
lily in this city. For the past few months he
has suffered from hypocondria. brought ON
by the refusal of Mr.. Ogden 10 acknowledge
a debt which he claimed. On Saturday
morning he left home, and said he was going
to New York The body of the suicide was
yesterday removed from the Morgue by
der of Coroner Ellinger, and taken in charge
by an undertaken, who was instructed to
prepare il for burial. The inquest will take
place on Wednesday.