The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-10
MICHAEL ERNsrs SUICIDE
Serving as n soldier In Three Continents and
Meeting Death at His Own Hand.

Michael Erust, with his wife, lived in the
house Of their son-in-law. Jacob Suess. at 325
Hudson street. in tho topmost story. in rooms
fitted up with mahogany furniture They were
an aged couple. Michael was nearly 10 years
OF age. He slept in the rear room. and his wife
In the chamber facing Hudson street. He usu-
ally went to bed late and got up late. Rudolph
Yuenger. the barkeeper In Sucsss lager beer
saloon. who had gone up stairs on an errand
yesterday morning ut 10 o'clock. rushed back
down stairs. and said that the old man was
lying in his chamber in a pool 81 his own blood.
Mr., Ernst's body was found sitting on the floor.
with his chin supported BY his hand. and the
fallen noar The chair His throat was cut from
ear TO ear. Mr., Ernst was partially dressed.
ting in the chair md then slid TO the floor His
wife talked n few minutes with him at about
o'clock and he had given no intimation OF CON
temllating seli-nurler
Mr Ernst served as u surgeon IN the French
army for ,wolve years in Africa and in spain.
y broad sabre cut disngured his lnit cheek. lie
was lorn In Bavaria. WAS conscrptcd when ar
rived AZ manhood, but ran AWAY. He found his
way 10 Paris and enlisted there. IL was his
boast that he wns une oi tho men who helped
place Queen Isabella OF spain upon tho throne
H. smoke ihe Spnnisr italian Hebrew Ger.
man. and French languages correctly and ilu-
eLtly. On his honorable discharge from the
French army in lsi4 he came tQ the United
States and not meeting at first with success as
n surgeon. established n barber shop IN Hud-
son street. iie madc money raWdlyi and n ten
years retired from iusllfS-. linen ne TOOK HIS
family To Bavaria to have his children edu-
Gated. Though intending 70 remain in tho
intherland. he soon began 10 long for his adopt
el country and came back I'm six months. 4
mania TO speculate seized him. and he lost over
SO. 900 IN "A confectionery mandatory. Then
he resumed his OH business As barber, and re-
tired finally in lSGO.
At the outbreak 81 tho rebellion Ernstenlisted
In the Seventh Regiment Of volunteers hut was
schaTsed, without seeing active service. on
account II rheumntism. In January last his
right side was pHralyzed and IN February
another similar shock came. Singulnrly. the
muscles Of his throat We're also parayzed. and
It was difficult for hin. 10 swallow. His utter
ance WAS ndistinct. At times he wandered in
his tax. Then he would say that there was
something in his throat thnt must come out. II
ia believed 10y his only son that his father cut
his throat under the d"lusion that his troubles
would be cured. Having been surgeon. no
knew Just where 10 draw the razor.
Tho razor used was present 10 Mr.. Ernst by
his son who was Union soldier, and who
found the implement in the pocket of a dead
rel o. officer on the battlefield. II was Mr. Ernsts 8
custom to shave daily with 1t. and although the
son wanted II for his business. as 1t was n re-
markaby fine piece u steel yet the old man re-
fused 10 give II up lle believed that he Was
very poor and a few days ago took his gold
watch and chain g. his son for pawning. The
son humored him. but returned the watch IN
the next day to his father. In despondcnt
moods Mr.. Ernst had threatened that when he
wa stricken again with paralysis he would put
himself out Of the WAY. but his relatives tried TO
laugh him out " the notion.