The New York herald., 1879-02-13
CHRISTIAN MOLLER'S SUICIDE.

WORTH HALF A MILLION, YET FEARFUL OF BE-
COMING DESTITUTE HoBoKEN's LOSS.
The HERALD yesterday contained brief account Of
the suicide of Christian Molier of Hoboken's
wealthiest citizens who. in the singular belief that
he was being reduced to poverty. blew his brains
out on Tuesday night. Mr.. Moler lived at No. 100
Hudson street. in three story brick and stone dwell
ing. the upper windows OF which command an ex-
tensve view OF this city. His wife is still living
and. with two daughters. one OF whom is married.
son twenty years OF age, son-in-aw and two little
grandchildren, composed the suicides household
After hearty supper the evening of the tragedy
Mr.. Moller his and son-in-law, Lieutenant The
dore Rose. of the German army. together with his
yet unmarried daughter sat down in the
parlor and played cards for little
time. Then. at about eight o'clock, the father
left the room for moment and went up stairs,
where his wife and married daughter were putting
the little bed. Giving the elder of his grand
children orange. a reward for good conduct.
and patting the younger the head, Mr.. Moller
disappeared. Missing HIM the next moment his
wife and daughter were about to call out to ask
where he had gone, when the loud report of pistol
almost deafened them and told too plainly what had
bcfalen the wretched man. Rushing into the front
room, which was totally dark. Mrs. Moller stumbled
and fell PROSTATE over the body Of her husband.
The noise Of the explosion and heavy fall on the
aoor above them had told the story to the card
players below, and the son-in-aw and entered
the room immediately after Mrs. Moller.
POOL OF BLOOD.
AS as the gas lit it seen that Mr.. Mol
ler was dead He bad fallen at iull length. with his
head toward the front windows and his feet toward
tho bed. large revolver, of French make with six
chambers and throwing ball nearly half an inch in
diameter. lay by his side in pool of blood, and the
suicides face bathed in the crimson stream that
flowed from wound in the right temple DR.. E. H.
sent for Immediately and declared that death had
been instantaneous. He then went in search Of
Coroner Virgins. whom he found in the chair
The news Of Mr.. Moller's death caused
little excitement among the Councilmen,
to all Of whom lie had been known for many years,
and the Coroner proceeded without moments delay
to the of the shooting Mrs. Moller had tainted
and her son. overcome with grief, had thrown him
self the prostrate body of his father. When the
face washed it found that the ball had passed
through the brain and pierced the opposite temple
found yesterday morning. where it had fallen. on
the bed. jury was empanelled by Coroner Wig
gins yesterday afternoon and viewed the corpse. An
inquest will be held at Cranes morgue this evening
MR. MOLLER's CAREER.
Mr.. Moller was u native of Germany who came TO
this country with his brothers. Peter and john come
twenty-iv years ago. Though comparatively poor
when they arrived here it took them but little
while to establish themselves in business and the
snyar refinery Of SbotweIl Moller and Dorscher at
Williamsburg became known before many years
well conducted and highly profitable enterprise
WELL whose wealth was estimated ut $3.50 0oO became
convinced that he was the verge OF bankruptcy
and when his family arranged to take him a trip
up the North River for his health he came to the
conclusion that they were about to have him
confined in an amshouse With this crazy
notion in his head and in tit Of
unusual dependency he sprang from the second
story window Of his house. in Hudson street, Hobo
KEN and broke his leg the iron pickets enclosing
the area. The limb amputated by DIR. Chabert.
who has been MIR. Moiler's family physician
since that gentlenan's settlement in Hoboken. In
conversation with HERALD reporter yesterday the
said that the deceased had lived in Hoboken
twenty years. All the partners withdrew after this
incident with large fortunes and John, moving
lost the greater portion Of his by specuatng. The
other BROTHER Peter il still resident OF this city,
and has not yet retired from business. He lives in
Fifth avenue and is very rich
Mr.. Christian Moller the deceased, at time
worth $780, O00 but his wealth ct the time of his
death probably did not much exceed $300, 900. Some
months ago he bought from its inventor in Phadel-
phia the patent OF machine-made horseshoe, and
lost perhaps s25 QUO in unsuccessful effort to In
troduce it, fitting up quite extensive factory in
Brooklyn. 1t this loss that preyed upon his
mind. aud for three months past. Dr. Chabert said.
he had shown indications OF mental alteration and
distress. He magnfed his loss hundredfold aud
WAS in almost hourly dread of being sent to the
Almshouse at Snake Hill, Hudson county; but this
fear n poverty made him only the more charitable to
those who actually poor though for many years,
IL is said. he has been noted generosity and
lcniency to those who owed him money. Mr.. Moller
largely instrumental in the erection the Ger
man Lutheran Church. corner of Hudson and Eighth
streets, Hoboken, ana on its completion, between
two and three years ago, presented it with clock
worth $1,000. In person he was tall and portiy.
weighing about 2OO pounds. His complexion was
light, and his hair, mustache and side whiskers
mixed with gray. He simple in habits devoted
by all classes Hoboken for his good heart and
kindly manners. The funeral viii take place on