The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-05-16
SAD SUICIDE.
Sudden Death Of Ernst Mengden at
Meaderville by Poison.

The community was startled yes.
terday morning by the statement
that Ernst Mengden, 80 we'll known
in this city as Assistant Superintend-
ent of the Montana Copper Company,
bad been found dead in his bed at
Meaderville, and the surprise was
changed to horror when 1t became
known later that the young man had
suicided, and from all outward ap-
pearances had died q horrible and
agonized death. At an early hour
the Coroner, who had been sum-
moned, and 3 few personal friends,
including Superintendent Meyers,
who had been notified, repaired to
the place, and an inquest was held.
HOW HE DIED.
From the testimony of witnesses
and the stories Of outsiders it was
ascertained that Mengden had benin
the city the night previous until about
10 O'Clock when he started for home,
which was the last seen of him alive.
Yesterday morning when the China
man went to his quarters, just across
the creek and near the works of the
company, he was Mortified at the
sight of his employer lying on the
floor apparently dead. Without
waiting to make an examination the
servant hurriedly summoned help,
and when the party re-entered the
room it was ut once discovered that
life was extinct. AS stated, the de-
ceased was lying on the floor, in full
dress, in one hand was a piece of
lemon, in the other q glass, in the
bottom of which there remained the
dregs of some liquid. Ol the fore
head was q deep cut, the mouth was
distorted, the face bruised and the
nose discolored. A: medical exami-
nation disclosed the fact that the
liquid was cyanide of potassium,
and that the wound on the forehead
was sufficient to have produced tenn
porary unconsci0usness, If not con.
cussion of the brain. It was then
that the deadly drug had
been obtained from the assay depart
ment of the works, evidently be-
tween the hours of and II O'Clock
Tuesday night and was probably
taken about that time.
THE THEORY.
The theory is that having fully
made up his mind to commit the
rash act he did it methodically.
After having obtained the poison, he
took the precautiOn to get lemon in
order to avoid the terrible taste OF
the drug. That after swallowing the
stuff he was taken with c0nvu)sions
and fell to the floor where after very
short agony he died.
THE CAUSE.
What led to the fatal act, was in
the morning q comparative mystery.
to those who ought to know
he left no word or writing to indicate
why he had taken his own life, but
before night the story was in the
off, of those who knew
him. 1t is the old story of fast
life, an unholy and unrequited love,
subsequent dissipation, a loss of
money and of honor and then the
only refuge, death. Although in
the receipt tf large salary from
the company, Mengden, in addi-
ton to being what is ordinarily
termed good liver, seemed to havea
penchant for actresses, and when one
caught his fancy he always made
desperate love to her. With him
love took the shape of expensive din
ners, drives and presents. The last
penchant of the unfortunate young
man was the well-known variety &C
tress known as Miss Mabel Rivers
and from all accounts he was badly
smitten with her. The lady in ques-
ton, while she accepted the homage,
which every actress claims as her
due, and which none disdain, in
formed the gentleman that she was
which is true. This only
made him the more persistent in his
and as they were redoubled
the colder she grew. Finally matters
reached q climax. His money was
he had been reduced to
the humiliating expedient of bor-
rowing from friends here and there
sums ranging from SIS to $40, and de-
MED the love he sought he has for
some time past been alternating be-
tween drunkenness and melancholy,
and finally took refuge in suicide to
save him from his foolish passion.
THE DECEASED.
Ernst Mengden was young man,
"a years of age, OF fine personal ap-
pearance, and highly educated. He
was of German rarentage, served in
the army before coming to this
country, and now has two brothers
as officers In the service of Germany.
His father is, it is said, in the diplo-
matte service and there can be no
doubt but the sad news they have re-
ceived ere this will affect them deeply.
he has been in the employ of the
Montana Copper Company ever since
it was started and was looked upon
as one of its most efficient and
trusted employees. His social qualities
were of a high order, and if he had
utilized them in the right channel he
would have to-day been q welcome
guest in the best circles instead of
awaiting lnterment in suicides
grave. The funeral will take place
at 2 o'clock to-day from his late resi-
dence In Meaderville.