Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-12
DEEDS OF BLOOD.
Suicide That Recalls a Chicago
Sensation.
TIE RITTAMEI FAMILY TROUBLES.

Sequel to the Shooting OF Old Man Rita
mel by His Son Last July-The Father,
Knocked by His Wife, Puts n Probably
Fatal Bullet into His Head-A Cory
Story from Tacoma-AIIeged Confession
of Murderer.
CHICAGO. March 12-To escape a violent
death at the hands of his own son only to
occupy suicides grave will probably be
the fate of William Rittamel, one of the
principal actors in a sensational episode of
last July, (the particulars of which were
printed in these dispatches,) and who yes
terday attempted to take his own life on
the doorstep of his wife's home A story
which would otherwise be revolving for it's
cruelty and crime Is lent touch of pathos
by the circumstance that the old man, who
lies dying at the county hospital, is the
victim of an hallucination not wholly
without foundation, which, it is said, has
directed his acts for the last two years
Rittamel is of German birth, and though
but 81 years of age, is prematurely old and
crotchety. He is carpenter and well-to-
DO, owning several houses besides the
oCs
Man and Wife Quarreled.
There he has lived for a number of wears
and raised six children, now adults.
Among them was William Rittamel, Jr,
who received a liberal education and
would but for the unfortunate occurrence of
last July have been graduated from theo-
logical seminary Christmas. Last sum-
mer The young man was at home on a va
cation, and was witness to many violent
scenes between his father and mother.
The former had an idea that his wife was
In conspiracy to rob him Of his property
and had brooded over this so much that
he had become monomauiac on the sub
ject. Quarrels were frequent and young
Rita mel frequently was forced to see his
father strike his mother.
Father Shot by His Son.
He refrained from interfering until on
the night OF July 0 the old man came
home somewhat the worse for LIQUOR, and
drawing a revolver, attempted to shoot
his wife. His. son interfered and in the
scuff1e the revolver was discharged, the
ball entering the old mans head and in
flicting wound at first supposed to be IA
tai But Rittamel rallied and eventually
recovered No investigation was ever
made. and 1t is not positively known
whether young Rittamel had the revolver
in his hand at the time of the shooting or
whether it was a purely accidental dis.
charge that Indicted the wound.
Trouble About Money.
A separation between the husband wife
followed, young Rittamel's future as a
minister of the gospel was blasted, and he
went to st. Louis. Mrs. Rittamel contin-
ued to occupy the homestead, and her
husband lived alternately with his two
daughters, Mrs. Frederick Haltzkin, of
139 Cornelia street, aud Mrs. Henrietta
Donkey, of l02 Willow street A divorce
suit was prepared, but was not filed,
Rlttamel agreeing to let his wife alone
and give her charge of the collection of
the rents and a division of the money
with hun. OF late there has been trouble
about this and yesterday forenoon Rita
mel, calling at his wife's home for his
money, found that she was absent.
Bloody Close of the Story.
At 1:30 o'clock in the afternoon he called
again, and saw that she was at home, but
was so unwilling TO see him that she bar
ricaded the front door The old man went
to the rear ard secured an entrance to the
hallway, but locked door barred farther
progress. He attempted to break it in,
but failed, and turned to 60 away. His
wife. inside, laughed scornfully, and the
old man hesitated. Then, mortified and
desperate, he drew a revolver, placed the
mCZzle to his right temple, and pulled tie
trigger. The wife screamed and tainted.
the police were summoned, and the ambu-
lance took tie old man to the hospital
The physicians say he cannot live