The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-15
1.-The Finishing Touch.

On Tuesday evening n gentleman, ap-
parently about 80 years of age, medium
size and neatly attired, stepped from the
Central train and proceeded to the Eu-
ropean Hotel, where he registered as w.
Ruppersberg. He asked for n room aud
was assigned to No. IS. Before retiring
he asked Mr.. Belliesen if he had a safe, as
he desired to deposit some money for
safe-keeping. He was informed there
was one and that his money would be re-
ceIved and securely Kept until called for.
He drew out roll containing two hun
dred dollars and deposited it with
Mr.. Belliesen, and procuring n light
was shown to his room. The next morn
ing, Wednesday, he did not appear at
the breakfast table, but no attention was
paid to his absence. He did not appear
at dinner, and Mr.. Belliesen sent to his
room to ascertain il he was unwell and
desired anything. He was in his room,
aud complained of being a little sick and
requested that ice water be sent him. 1t
was provided, and during the evening
and night he had ice water sent to his
room quite often. Thursday morning he
ulu not appear Ut pieahiasI, hOi
did he take a meal during the entire
day, but frequently requested that ice
water be furnished him.
FRIDAY MORNING
he was not at breakfast, and Mr.. Belief
sen became uneasy about his tasting
guest, and went to see him and urged that
he eat something, and insisted on pre-
pairing him some soup. He refused 70
have il, but during the evening sent
down to the office and requested that
bread and butter be sent to his room.
About o'clock that evening he was in
the office, but had very little TO say, and
after remaining a short time went up to
his room. During the night, some time
between the hours of 10 and II O'Clock,
the sharp report OF pistol reverDerated
through the upstairs corridors OF the
hotel, startling the guests. The house
keeper heard the ominous crack OF the
deadly weapon, but little dreamed that
a human being had "made the finishing
touch" and been hurried into the great
hereafter. She listened for moment to
learn if any commOtiOn would follow the
shot, but nothing, occurred, and she
dropped off to sleep, supposing that some
one had accidentally discharged his pistol.
On yesterday morning at 10 O'Clock, the
truth was revealed, and il was discovered
that the sharp report of the pistol, heard
the night before, was terribly Significant,
''over the river TO return no more for
ever. At the hour named the chamber
maid, on her rounds cleaning up and put |
ting the rooms in order, stopped at No.
%. and called Mr.. Ruppers- |
berg. Receiving no answer she |
called again and knocked at the door. |
Still no reply, and she turned the knob. |
and pushing open the door saw the bed /
drenched with blood, and
RUPPERsBERG
lying on the floor dead. She tarried but |
moment, and hurrying from the1
CHASTITY sight, notified Mr.. Belliesen, who |
at once dispatched u messenger to inform |
the proper officers. "he reporter visited |
the room. and found the dead man on the |
floor, which was covered with blood. He |
had shot himself through the heart, using |
a very small siX-shooter for the pur-
pose. In addition to this wound.
the artery in the left wrist had /
been severed with razor, which was /
found on the floor of the room. From |
indications, this wound was the first one |
inflicted, and Immediately after he |
must have LAID down on the bed, and,
holding his arm over n bath tub, let the |
blood flow into IL. This, peradventure,
proved too slow. and the suicide |
resorted to the pistol as a
more sure and speedy method of ending
his troubles. In the room the following |
note and letter were found, the latter |
sealed:
Mr.. Bnliesen:
Please be so kind as to send at once the |
letter addressed to John Neff to him.
Yours in life,
w. RUPPERSBERG. .