The New York herald., 1878-12-05
HIS OWN DESTROYER
Shocking Suicide of a Young Bo-
hemian Cigar Maker.
IN LOVE AND OUT OF WORK.
Prokop Muziks Reasons for Blowing
Out His Brains.

young Bohemian cigar maker. Prokop Muzik by
name finding himself ont OF work, and disappointed
in his expectations, placed the muzzle OF loaded
shotgun to his head early yesterday morning and
blew his brains. The young came to
this country three years ago. in the expectation
that he would make a rapid fortune in the
pursuit of his trade that of machinist
He well educated and his parents are well-to-do
people in the old country At home he was provided
with everything that of his class and station could
desire. He sent a neighborng college with
the intention of advancing his education sufficiently
That he might learn the profession of civil engineer
His youthful mind. however, had become possessed
Of other ambitions. AT the age of eighteen he fled
from school, dreading impending draft and went
70 Vienna where he learned the trade of
machinist He had been informed that there
was abundance Of employment and high
rate of wages that of skilled labor in this
country and it was this information which at first
Induced him to turn his attention to that particular
line of business. When he considered that he had
sufficiently mastered the mysteries of his craft he
took passage America and landed in this city full
Of ambitious prospects and sanguine expectations.
To his infinite disappointment he soon discovered
that his talents were NOT at premium. and that
his mechanical pretensions not sought
after appreciated he found uncertain
employment and q precarious remunera-
after his arrival He worked away. hoping for better
times and liberal recompense for his services.
but as neither OF them appeared he became despond-
snt. He left the mac hne shop and his friends lost
sight of him for considerable time
1t appears that she captiyaed the romantic Muzk,
who admired and loved the daughter of his host.
without however, the time processing his secret
attachment Mr.. Klecka interested himself in pro-
avenue where he employed buncher He
seemed TO be contented with his position. and more
md affections of his benefactors daughter Although
20 formal engagement was made it was understood
they would become man and wife.
FORTUNES REvEissEs.
Matters, however. went from bad to worse with
Muzik until he found himself discharged from the
.igar factory and with no prospect of work before
This state of affairs continued until eight days
to seek another boarding house. as he had
concluded that his hospiable friends, the Keckas.
could but ill-aford to be burdened with him longer.
In accordance with this resolve he moved to board
ing house. KEEP. by John Rud. at No %
hnd work. but was repeatedly Disappointed Tues.
day the birth day OF Mr.. Klackas brother,
and nIuzik called upon him and presented him with
old friend named Frank Stranad. but the latter
not at home. Muzik returned to his lodgings.
who had called, having learned that Muzik
IN search of him. They remained in social
conversation for some time, when Muzk presented
his friend with pencil. penhoider and umbrella.
The young men then left the house and separated on
The sidewalk. MuZk proceeded to the house of his
sweetheart and, having spoken few friendly words,
bade the family good night and took his departure
home.
SUICIDE.
Arrived in his room he loaded a shotgun, which he
had borrowed from the landlord with buckshot and
water. Taking the weapon with him he went into
The yard. leaned against brick wall and discharged
The contents Of the gun into his head
A CHANGE FOR THIS BETTER
At last he reappeared around his old haunts very
much improved in appearance. He was dressed
neatly and lad regained his original hopeful DISPOSE
H. had 1aTfx of plnn ha pt
among his oldtne shopmates He said he had received
large remittance from home and that he was
fore be returned his Fatherland. With this
sble object in view he provided himself with travel
ling certificate from Iankzzka Lodge. No. i3l. OF the
or,.er OF odd Fellows, Of which he was member.
He thereupon set ont upon his travels and visited the
lending cities spending sufficient time in each to
make the acquaintance OF his countrymen, and re-
ceive frpLu them royal send of to his next point
the route of his travels In this way he found his
journey!ng agreeable and economic, aud had good
time cf i while il lasted.
Csl his return trip he soJourTed for a while in Phil
aielphia where he received a guest and treated
u. q visiting brother by Walhatta Lodge, Paul
Eelttaltner Lodge and Harmony Lodge. His round
OF iunketing lasted six months and he found
himself in New York again a iew months ago,
possessed OF great deal Of experience and
typographical knowledge but precious little money
In this unpleasant emergency he found it necessary
70 90 to work for living. His old trade drug
In the market, and il useless for him to try
to gain employment in that direction. There
a man. however old acquan lance Of
financial embarrassment He had boarded with this
friund and that hospable roof he bent his foot
Fps. The family greeted him with round of hand
shaking and he bade 70 make the house his home
and in doing to study his own convenience, not
hcirs. They were very worthy and thrifty family
u Dohemians and they were employed in the manu-
acture Of cigars They consisted of husband and
wife, Mr.. and Mrs. Wenzel klecka. two young but
The eldest daughter. Mary. is brghteyed brunette,
about nineteen years Of age
VICTIM 70 cupIp's Wills
a uarfe ast eicy NJ he wi mo in
the neighborhood heard the report. but paid par
ticuar attention " i. as an adjoining baker was in
the habit OF shooting at the rats which infest his
backyard. The body remained in the position where
II tell until five o'clock yesterday morning. when
preparing to 60 10 work saw the iifeless remains
weltering in pool Of blood. Officer Gcary. OF the
removed TO an undertaken shop Third street.
Coroner Ellinger notified, ana his deputy, DR..
Goldschmldt. made an autopsy and granted burial
permit The body VIII be Inferred by the members
Cl deceasci'- lodge
DISAPPOINTED MANS CONFESSION
Upon his person found two letters. One
in his own handwriting In his native language II
stated that he belonged T. wealthy family. When
be left home ho had no necessity 81 seek his
fortune in this country. He had been in
formed, however, that u easy TO make
money hero and he Therefore, ran away from
h,s parents desiring 70 b. independent end return
when h. would have earned fortune in his field
q labors. After learning his trade in Vienna the
letter went 70 say, hc sale for this city,
and then follows recital of his strug-
giles and his disappontn,tnts. II boarded with
with hts daughter She H. beautiful aud Nrtuons, aud
my sole trouble j. that too poor 10 make her my
wifc despair ~ ever being able 10 support her in
The manner should Ike my wife 10 be
treated and as she deserves. But this will end
all desire this letter 70 b. published in full in the
De'Hc, Ly Bohemian paper in this city), but not 70
send word of my fat ~ my parents My father old.
aud the news would kill HIM. Ircques' that IN body
b. buried by the odd Follows IL my lodge. and that
they bury deccutly. As lass and dying wish
request That Miss -, her father and family follow
my remains to the grave.
The other letter one which h. lad recently re-
rcived from his father requesting and urging him to
return home and not 70 be a wanderrr IN a foreign
land,