New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-18
A SUICIDE IN. FlFTH-AvE.
HERMAN F. KEIDEL TAKES HIS LIFE
FOUND DEAD IN A DAruRoon By SERVANT

a $500
NO CAUSE FOR THE ACT KNOWN.
Herman T. Keidel, the manager for William
hnaoe q Co. piano manufacturers. was found
dead IN bathroom at No. 112 Fifth-ave. yes
terday, by Henry Campani, yoang man who has
been employed By Mr.. Keidel as a servant for
several years. The warerooms of Knabe g. Co.
are also at No. liz Fifth-ave. and Mr.. Keidel
lived In a suite of rooms in the basement. which
were tastefully furnished and decorated
1t has been Mr.. Keideps custom for long time
to have his breakfast brought TO his room about
o'clock every morning by Campani Yesterday
morng Campan got up at his usual time. went
eut'and returned in about an hour. He did not
notice Mr. Keidel when he went away. but sup
posed that he was asleep in his room When he
returned he knocked at Mr. Keidels door, and get
ting no reply, opened it. The room was empty.
but the bed showed that it had been occupied and
NIr. keldePs clothes were lying around the room.
Ihinl1ng that Mr.. Keidel was taking bath. the
servant went to the bathroom.
THE BODY FOUND COLD:
The door was closed, and after calling for Mr.
keldel Campani pushed open the door and found
Mr.. kcidel lying dead upon the door. His body
was cold and atired In night robe. He held a
3S-calibre revolver tightly gripped In his right
hand and there was a large hole In the right side
Of his bead. Two of the cartridges IN the pistol
had been exploded, but IL was believed that only
one OF them was fired into his head. No trace Of
the oihte bullet could be found. Campani was
overcome By the shock of finding his master in
such condition, and it was some time before he
recovered sufficiently TO report the suicide at the
Jhirtoth-st station.
DeDptT Coroner Jenkins viewed the body, and
being vtisfed as TO the manner Of death, gave
peEmlt for its removal 20 an undertakers at
No 62f Sixth-ave Several letters were found
in Mr.. Keiders room by Deputy Jenkins, who
read them ALL expecting that there would be
something found TO throw light upon the cause
Of suicide The letters, however, proved to be
Of purely business character. and there was
nothing in them TO indicate that Mr.. Keidel
contemnlated suicide. or that he was suffering
from mental arrangement. Mr.. Keidel has
brother Charles living in Baltimore, who is
married 70 Mr.. Knabes daughter. He was
telegraphed for. and it is expected that he will
arrivo here this morning.
NO MOTIVE FOR THE ACT KNOWN.
Tho motive which led Mr. Keidel TO take his
life "a not known He has been connected with
Knabe q Co for fifteen years, and introduced
the Knsbe piano into this city. building up
successful trade He has had no trouble, as
far as Could be learned yesterday, with the firm,
and IL is believed from his careful habits
that his finances are In good condition. Several
weeks ago Mr.. Keidel received a notice from
william J. Arlsen. the proprietor Of Judge to
vacate the store at No. II2 Fifth-ave. on May l.
Mr. Keidel had been In this place for about ten
years. and did not want 10 give IL up, Dut hr.
Arhell desired the property TO extend tne ne"
building he las been putting up IN fllIl-aFe1
and rs the lease had run out there was hot,nlns
for Mr. Keidel 10 do but 70 move. tie mas peen
hunting every day for a place that wonld DC
suitable for the business in the same nelghOOr-
hood, but he met with poor succtsii
Ills friends have noticed that Tor ABOUT nuttl.n t
Inc has been melancholy and despondent and when
William Knabe, one Of the firm, died ABOUT zen
davE ago Mr. Beidel was deeply grleVed, anu
seemed 10 bo totally untitled for business He
lad an appointment to dine WIN codS nsoTso IN -,
SATURDAY. at Martinellrs, but he failed to keep
the appointment, an unusual thing Tor nm 70 90
He gave as an excuse, when Mr.. Ormc saw nm,
that he was tired and did rot want 10 see any ON,
N "a supposed that his mind was temporarily
deranged by wOrrmcnt over the necessary cnange
of the place OF business and the death Oh Alr
Knabe, and that while in this condition ne Shot
himself sometime during Saturday nlSnt. A..
Mr.. Keidel was man of unusual eNecnuye
ability and made his way In the piano tfaoe
In this city against strong opposition lie WIS
an accomplished musician ana an amateur 4IusU
OF merit. He became q mefnDer Qi tne ,iIotos
Club about fifteen years ago. with FRANK mayo
and frequently played &C the musical recepuonS
given by the club. He was popular among the
club men, and had sunny disp9siton thS , naHe 9e
Belgium about ifty-six years ago, anu came 10
this country nj an early age.
Ernest Knabc, of Baltimore, member OF tne
firm OF Pianoforte makers arryea IA uns foS So H.
Keidels suicide, and that nothing Wls WRONG III ~
his financial rela ions with the COMPANY he
had always held Dir. keidel in high eS'eeh'