Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-26
THE BRIDGE MYSTERY,
D. C. Sattler, the Man Whe Went to
His Death by Bullet and
Drowning.
CAUSES OF THE TRAGIC EVENT.
Business Difficulties and Woman
Affair Among the Theories
Urged.
CAUSES OF THE TRAGIC EVENT.
WHAT THE GLOBE" FOUND OUT
By Means Of the Active Work Of its
Missionaries.
DEVELOPMENT OF ST. PAUL LIFE
Which is Anything but Complimentary
to the Participants Therein.

10 TIC IdIIIClDdilCS lucIcIu.
The GLOBES account of the midnigh
tragedy enacted Sunday was read with grea
avidity, yesterday morning. Each reade
made for himself theory for the sensational
self immolation; and to many various per
sons we're self suggested as the solitor,
actor in the tragedy. AT an early hour yes
terday morning many rumors were cur
rent in regard to the affair.
The GLOBE having been first upon the
scene of the disaster, took up these rumors
promptly and assiduously followed each one
to it's source, all combined to lead to the
conclusion that the pistol shot was fired by
the hand of David G. Sattler, and the splash
in the water was made by his falling body.
He it was who cried out in agonizing voice,
help, help, help. He it was who made a
despairing struggle in view of officer Babe,
and two others, and then was engulphed by
the dark waters of the river.
The man who was observed by officer Babe
at the letter boz on the corner Of Wabashaw
and Third Streets the man who shot, and
cast himself in the river and David G..
Sattler, the well known clothier No. 61 East
Third street, were one and the same man.
As supposed, he placed in the letter box
word to his friends notifying them of his
purpose.
HIS LAST MESSAGE.
The first who was made aware Of the
tragic death of Sattler was Al. S. Bergman,
hide and leather dealer on Jackson street,
between Fourth and Fifth streets. AT his
usual hour, MIR. Bergman came into his
Office. On his desk were several letters and
other mail matter awaiting his attention.
Among them was postal card which drew
from him an ejaculation of horror. It gave
to him the first hint of the Sunday night
tragedy, and caused him to fear that his
friend Satter had fallen a victim. The
message was written on a postal card, and
was coucbed in such confused words that it
added to the mystery, as follows:
FRIEND BERGMAN: Please tell brother Henry
and Jake that they will find me in or near the
Mississippi river by the bridge where I shall
probably fight duel. Your friend,
DAVID G, SATTLER.
The above was written in German, post
marked st. Paul, Nov. "a, and was directed
to S. Bergman, CITY, Jackson street. It bore
the further words, "Private to you.'
Scarcely realizing the import of the card,
yet greatly alarmed, Mr.. Bergman rushed to
the store of the Sattler Bros. There he
found a young clerk in the store; he stated
that Mr. David c. Sattler had not yet gotten
up. Mr.. Bergman FASTENED up stairs to the
room usually occupied by Sattler, and found
that his bed had not been disturbed. He
looked about for some clue to
tell the story of Tiers absence.
lie found his (Sattler's) watch
in desk drawer, but no word. Returning
to the store, he there met Mr.. Henry T.
Sattler, brother of the missing man. MIR.
Henry Sattler had only returned the evening
previous from Alma, Wisconsin. Together
friend and brother repaired to the rear of
the store. Mr. Bergman communicated his
mysterious message; both then took up
sundry letters and mail matter on the desk
near at hand. Confirmation of something
evil stared them in the face Two postal
cards were found, both written in pencil, one
addressed to Jacob 3. Sattler and the ether
to Henry Z. Sattler. The card was to all in
tents repetition of the tidings given Berg
man. It ran as follows:
NOVEMBER "a.
BROTHER JAKE: Take care OF doc aud every
body of our folks. And dear parents. 1t is
Nobody knows why, only him and me.
Your brother, DAVE.
Regards to all. Be sure to find my body.
The third message was also written on a
postal card. A GLOBE reporter was not given
access to it. Mr.. Henry L. Sattler positively
declined permitting any one to see it.
cts private" he said, ''and concerns no
one but me. After all, it contains just about
the same that the others do
IF the same, why not permit me to
see it?''
To this no explanation would be given,
and again he declined to show it.
These messages, coupled with the GLOBES
account of the death from the bridge, caused
immediate action on the part Of Sattler's
friends. In compliance with his request
they began the search for the body. The
bridge was visited, but the sun had removed
all traces on the spot from which the deadly
leap was taken. The rolling waters
of the river were looked upon, but
they made no response. The banks
of the river were searched, but nothing was
found. About l O'Clock p. NJ. six boats were
procured in West St. Paul, placed in charge
of Sergeant Walsh and systematic search
began. Tie river was dragged from the
bridge downwards, but at nightfall all labor
had been in vain. The water refused t.
surrender Its victim.
FOR WHAT REASON?
Naturally, many surmises were hazardet
az to the cause of the rash act. The fact o
the suicide Of citizen SO we'll known
amazed the community; the interest was in
tensiGed by the sensational manner in whic
the deed had been committed and the intens
excitement was aggravated by the myste1
ious message dispatched by the dead, as h
stood upon the bank of the shoreless river.
THE FIRST THEORY.
If suicide, what cause had he for it? wa
on the lips of friend as we'll as stranger
This manner of curiosity was increased b
the brothers (Henry's) positive disinclins
ton to exhibit or permit anyone to see th
message, which had been mailed to him {
the last supreme moment. Inquiry aroun
about among friends and acquaintance
gained the general verdict thu