Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-12-12
END OF A SPORTING LIFE.
Mr.. August Sehattenberg, Of Milwau-
kee, Suicides by Shooting.
Secretary of the School Board Dies to
Escape Disgrace.
A Frequenter of Gambling Hells
Where He Lost Heavily.

WdS
the brief report written upon the slate and
put In the window of the coroner's Office
for the information ofreporters who might
visit the office, and the few words told the
story of the end of another man who had
bucked the tiger with other men s money.
August Schattenberg, the respected clerk
of the Milwaukee school board, had put a
bullet through his heart to avoid state S
prison.
The act was committed at his handsome
residence on Reservoir Avenue, and was
directly the result of discovery by the city
officials that he had raisee a school order
from SS.34 to SS0S.34. He returned the
$500 yesterday, but his accounts were to be
looked into and doubtless the fears of the
discovery of further irregularities led to
the rash act. He had been in the habit OF
indorsing orders for out-of-town firms,
drawing the money and remitting it to
them, which gave him an opportunity tc
make use of the city's funds, and it is
feared that perhaps thousands of dollars
have gone the way of the $500 through
poker dens.
Two days ago City Treasurer Hilbert re-
ceived bill for 1854 from the Education
al Supply company, of Boston, with re-
quest to see that it was paid Many such
requests are received by the treasurer and
he turns them over to the comptroller, who
ADULTS them and sends them through the
proper channels. This bill was taken to
the comptroller Office and Deputy Comp
troller Wilde, in looking the matter up to
see why the bill, which was an old one.
had not been paid before, made a startling
discovery He found that a bill for 1903. "a
had been allowed to the company and the
suspicion at once flashed upon him that an
order had been raised and the money
drawn by some one else. A quiet investi-
cation was commenced and every circum-
stance pointed to Mr. Schattenberg as the
culprit
1t Is needless to say that CONSERVATION
prevailed In official circles The school
clerk, always polite, pleasant and accomo-
dating, was a great favorite and the Off
Gals were loath to turn him over to the
law. After consultation with Mayor
Brown, the city treasurer decided not to
arrest Mr.. Schattenberg Immediately, but
to give him a chance to square him
self
It has been known that Mr.. Schatten-
berg was a systematic gambler for at least
eight years. Poker and faro were his
favorite games. He played nigh game,
frequented the most fashionable resorts and
was remarkably successful for long time
Latterly his luck turned and he lost a great
deal of money, fact which caused him to
yield to temptation.
Mr.. Schattenberg was elected secretary
of the school board in May, 1880, succeed
ing Thomas Desmond. He was married
in the following October. He was born
in Milwaukee on January %, 1858, and
was about 81 years Of age when he died
He followed the profession of architecture
for the twelve years preceding his election
as secretary of the school board. He was
a quiet, retired sort of man and was
considered very efficient official He is
survived by his wife and two sons.
Mr.. Hilbert waited upon him and adj
vited him to pay the money back This
he did, giving Mr.. Hilbert s400 in cash
and check upon the commercial bank for
the balance. He admitted that there was
not money enough on deposit at the bank
to meet the check, but promised to raise it
yesterday afternoon, which he did.
At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon cabi-
net meeting was held, to which Mr.. Schat-
tenberg was summoned. Mayor Brown,
City Attorney Elliot, Comptroller Perth,
and City Engineer Benzenberg were pres
emit. The school clerk insisted that it was
a mistake, that he had inadvertently drawn
an order for 1903. "a instead ofeS8. 81 and
asserted that he had deposited the money
In the Commercial bank and had written
the Boston firm to draw upon him. He
said that he did not know that the money
had not been drawn, and denied that he
ho1 11oo1o o1.ocI a iTorat1Onc on
the bills. There was talk of arresting him
yesterday afternoon, but to give him
every opportunity to save himself the
matter was laid over until today,
This morning the court house was per-
meated with an air of suppressed excite
ment. The officials, all friends of the
suspected man, were nervous and troubled.
Alto o'clock number of school commits
sioners, including President Rauschenber-
ger, j. W. Schaum, August Rebnan, J.
W. Hitler, Otto Schenlpber, E. J. Paul
and Phillip Gerres gathered in the council
committee room and behind locked doors
discussed the matter with Mayor
Brown. When they came out they were
greatly excited, particularly Mr..
Rauschenberger, on whose face the
perspiration stood In great drops. They
had decided upon and signed call for
a special meeting of the school board, to
to be held at s o'clock Monday evening.
They had also decided to recommend an
investigation of. Mr.. Schattenburg's &C
counts and In the meantime to put his
books IN the hands of the committee or
dinance They desired to know whether
or not they had the authority to take the
books out of his hands and left to visit the
city attorney to get his opinion. Mayor
Brown, meanwhile, sought an interview
with District Attorney Toohey relative to
the ACCESSIBILITY of putting Mr.. Schatten-
burg under arrest.
While the committee was on its way tt
City Attorney Elliott's Office and Mayor
Brown was awaiting the arrival of District
Attorney Toohey, the news of the suicide
reached the courthouse. 1t created &
tremendous sensation and flew from one
end to the other of the big stone building
In an incredibly short time. A reporter
announced it to Mayor Brown. He turned
CHASTITY white and his head sunk upon the
upon the back of his chair as though ht
was fainting. The habitual paller of CITY
Treasurer Hilbert's face deepened little
when he heard the news, and he exclaimed
quietly: Il am glad | did not give thu
affair to the reporters" Tears stood IL
Comptroller Porth's eyes, and for the res
of the day the courthouse habitues wen
about with saddened faces.
As soon as it had became known tina
Mr.. Schattenberg had committed suicide
all sorts of ugly rumors began to circulate
1t was reported that he was $1,000 or IS,
900 short In his accounts. One rumor wa
to the effect that he had collected 50, 00(
due to the water department for water
used in the schools, but upon investigation
it was found to be without foundation
Water Register Moody said that the year