Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-04
RUDOLPH RITTER,s DEATH


That At ,cas a Case of Suicide.
The coroner impaneled jury yesterday,
to make more minute investigation into the
cause of the death of Prof. Rudolph Ritter,
late leader of the East Minneapolis brass
band, who was found dead on Nicollet island,
Saturday morning. The following gentle
men were chosen as jurors: Louis Schubys,
Frank Wacks, John Times, Emil Weinberg,
Richard Broderick, 0. P. Haugen. The
testimony elected the following information
concerning deceased:
August Traeger was called and testified
that on Friday evening between seven and
eight o'clock deceased called at his residence
and asked him to attend the opera at Har-
monia hall, offering him fifty cents with
which to purchase the ticket. They re-
manned in the hall till the opera was finish
ed. Then witness went home, leaving Rit-
ter behind. He said noting about suicide.
Fred ANIME testified that he saw Ritter
shortly before midnight on Friday
at a boarding house near Harmonic hall;
was sitting on table when Ritter came up
and asked me to drink; he ordered two
glasses of beer and remarked that it was the
last beer we would drink together; said that
he was going to join the army next day as
leader of the band. While talking he had
little bottle in his hand and was scratching
of the label; upon asking him what was in
the bottle he replied that it was salt to clean
his stomach. Taking a piece of bread he
went out and ate it; he came back with
companion and ordered a small bottle filled;
think with whisky; he was in front of
boarding house when left, at one o'clock:
he was sober when left him.
A. L. Holland testified to his personal ac-
quaintance with deceased, and that he had
heard Ritter frequently say that he was
tired Of life, and that he had better make
way with himself; five or six weeks ago wanted
me to get him some poison: got a seidlitz
powder instead; that seemed to satisfy him;
heard him say that if he ever got into any
trouble with the band boys he would kill
himself
Frank Karizek saw him Friday evening,
but did not notice anything wrong.
Charles Weinberg testified to having seen
the deceased on Friday evening, and that he
said he was going to take poison; he fire.
qnently had said he would kill himself.
Odin Valid saw deceased Friday night
thought him sober, but he was looking
gloomy and depressed.
Policeman Wescott testified to his being
notified that a dead man was on Nicollet
Island; sent bridge Waterman Boyden over
to station house to have coroner notified: did
not notice any sign of struggle; saw
nothing of a bottle; recognized him upon
turning him over. Mr.. Boyden corroborated
Wescott's statements.
Capt. Hoy, of the police force, testified to
his calling at the scene and found Wescott
in charge; remained till the coroner arrived.
DR.. Leonard, DR.. Nelson, and Mr.. Sterret
made postmorteln examination of the body.
The texture of the heart was fabby, indica-
tive of incorporate habits; the stomach was
found to be congested, as though it had re-
ceived something into the cavity that was
unnatural-migh have been something
poisonous, and produced death. This, how
ever, could not be definitely determined
without analysis. The body had no appear
ance of external violence.
The jury returned the following verdict:
That according to the testimony elected
they are of the opinion that the
said Rudolph Ritter came to
his death on Saturday morning, on
Nicollet Island, by his own act, probably by
some poisonous substance unknown to the
jury.
LOUIS ScHUBYs,
FRANK WAcKs,
JOHN TIMES,
EMIL WEINBERG,
RICHARD BRoDER1cK,
O. P. HAUGAN,
PETRUs NELSON,
Coroner.
The funeral takes place this afternoon
under the auspices of the Harmonic So
| ciety.