The New York herald., 1879-07-31
"TOO PROUD TO BEG"

DELIBERATE SUICIDE OF AN OLD MAN IN CEN
TRAIL PARK-FAREwELL LETTERS TO HIS
FRIENDs-A SINGULAR REQUEST CONCERNING
HIS FUNERAL.
An elderly man, of stout build, but bent down
with sickness. tottered by the policeman on
duty at tho Central Park gate at Fifth
avenue and Fity-ninth street, yesterday af-
ternoon. and slowly made his way along the
path to the right Of the entrance. About half way
to the Arsenal Building he was met by woman
named Mrs. Snyder He accosted her and in German
inquired if she knew of quiet spot where man
could commit suicide. "Yes." she replied, "there
lots OF places here, but it Is getting to
bo thing nowadays for men
to shoot themselves in the Park" and think
ing that the old only joking
she passed She afterward related to an officer
the strange question which had been propounded to
her. After holding the above conversation with
Mrs. Snyder the German proceeded to the monkey
house and succeeded i'll getting behind it unobserved
by the many people who daily congregate there.
Then he made his way through tho tall
grass and coolly prepared to take his life.
The place he had selected in the of the
in which the song birds of all countries arc Gagged.
There he pluckcd some grass and made pillow Of
it. Then he took from his pocket old horse pis-
fully loading and capping it, lay down his grassy
bed. While thus reclining he cooked the weapon ana
placed the uZze TO hls forehead. and firmly holding
It with both hands, fired. The ball ploughed its way
through tho skull shattering the upper portion into
atoms and causing instant death. 1t was but few
mnutes before three o'clock when the loud report
the pistol frightened tho birds and attracted the
attention of the police Officer Michael Foley, who
was post in that locality. at began an nves
tigaton and after long search found the body
position above described. 1t was q ghastly sight
the dead mans face being backened with the pow
der and the upper portion OF his head being like
jelly. Blood bone and hair were spattered over the
grass.
THE OLD MANS IDENTITY.
The body was placed on stretcher and carried
into the Arsenal building. 1t there searched
and in one OF tho pockets were found
three letters and memorandum book. Two
addressed to Michael Heidt Of No. 20 Fourth avenue
and the other to Mrs Schlund Of No. 23l East Fifth
street. An unsealed letter. written in German and
apparently intended for the Coroner. read as fol-
lows:-
have been fifteen years sick with rheumatism and
do that; therefore my old ags xii myself
JACOB SCHAUERMAN.
Mr.. Heidi, who Is o dealer in willow ware and
lives in the basement at No. 20 Fourth avenue, was
notified of the suicide. Tho body had in the mean
time been removed to the Morgue and ut the latter
place it recognized by Heidi that OF a friend
named Jacob Schauerman. He SAID that the deceased
born in Bavaria. was tiftysix years OF age and
his arrival in this city he procured u
situation in Jones brewery, in East Fifth
street, WORKED thore Tor q long time, and as he
q sober and industrious man. saved little money
His wife died few years ago and his only went
to the West. Schauerman.then gave up working and
lived on the money he had saved. Two years ago
he taken sick. tho medicines prescribed
tor him expensive and his doctors
bills large. A little over month ago
he gave Heidt $40. with the understanding
that in the event Of his death he would give him
decent burial. When he gave Heidi the money he
spoke of his death being at hand. and it is
supposed that he had then determined taking his
life
wicked PEOPLE" WANTED.
The following is translation Of the letter to his
old acquantance-
FRIEND HEIpr-when you hear of my death let my body
be buried in OF tho churchyH-d and do
bad or wicked people follow to the grave.
JACOB sCHAUERMAN.
On the first page Of the memorandum book was
found the following note:-
MY OLD ScnooLFELLow HEiDr:-
Please forgive me tor giving you this trouble
Heidi said that deceased in the habit Of visit
ing him. and shortly before had called at his
spondent.
On the ground floor of the rear tenement house
No 231 East Fifth street Mrs. Schlund, to whom one
of the letters addressed found last evening.
She had not heard of Schauerman's death, and when
told that he had committed suicide became almost
old country. where he carried the bust
OF basket making. He good
old soul. she added, always steady and
Industrious lie called on her on Tuesday
evening, and remained chatting about their
early days until long after eleven o'clock Then he
ward-in Eldridge street. she thought. The letter
will be given to her to-day by Coroner Flanagan,
who has charge OF the case. The body will be
claimed and buried by Mr.. Hedt