St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-01
A Suicidal Bullet Perfora teS
His Head From Temple to
Temple.
Singular Career Of the Ex-
Police officer and the
Causes Of the Act.
Testimony Will Be Taken Upon
the West Side Levee
Case.
Once Again the State Fair Di-
reetors Postpone a Choice
Of Officers.

Gustave Hopping, the eX-policeman,
put an end to his earthly troubles yes
terday morning by sending bullet
through his head. The suicide was
committed at his home, 9S5 Argyle
street, soon after Z o'clock in the morn
ing. 1t was evidently done in moment
Of thoughtlessness and prompted by a
troubled mind. Hopping has been I'M
plicated in number of questionable
transactions during the past two
years, and he was called out
of his bed yesterday morning by
an officer who had warrant
for his arrest. The warrant had been
sworn out by Won Arnold, of st. An
thony hill patrol notoriety, who had
charged Hopping with the larceny of a
harness and saddle valued at S24.
Both Won Arnold and Hopping have
claimed the ownership of this harness
and saddle, which was in the latter
possession. Hopping refused to sur
render possession of the articles; hence
the warrant by Won Arnold. Hopping
told the officer who served the warrant
that he was i'll and unable to appear
in court yesterday, but would pre-
sent himself for trial on Wednes-
day. His word was accepted as
bond by the officer. and so he was al
lowed to remain at home. AS soon as
the officer left the door Hopping went
to his room, took revolver from a
bureau drawer and fired bullet through
his skull. He fell dead Instantly. Mrs.
Hopping, who heard the shot, rushed
to her husbands room and was Mortified
to see him stretched upon the floor -
dead. A number of neighborS also heard
10 of ho nd
ing over the PROSTATE form of the sui
eide within a very few minutes after
the fatal shot was fired. Coroner Quinn
was soon on the spot to investigate the
case. He convinced himself that it was
clear suicide, and announced that
there would be no inquest.
1t is not at all probable that the charge
of stealing S24 worth OF property was
the only thing that caused Gustave Hop
ping to take his own life. His domestic
relations were of the happiest sort, and
therefore his sad ending must be attTib-
uted only to his fear of punishment for
past wrong doIngs and the consequent
disgrace. He anticipated arrest and
prosecution for crime which, it is al
legged, he committed last January. This
crime is that of stealing about $1,000
worth of skins and furs from Frederick
Stattman. Detectives have been at work
upon this case for sometime, and were
almost ready to arrest Hopping.
Hopping was appointed to the police
force on Aug. l. 1885, and served until
Feb. Is, 1890. In February. 1890, he was
arrested upon the complaint of Betsey
Jansen, servant girl, who charged him
with having made an assault upon her.
Upon trial he was acquitted by the jury.
1t is this episode that caused his retire
ment from the police force. At the time
of his death, however, he was member
in good standing of the Policemen's Mu-
tual Benefit association, and his widow
will get $1,000 from the organization.
He was also member of the DruidS and
of Vorwaerts Lodge, A. o. U. w.