Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-10
Sought by a Prominent Ale.
gheny Contractor, Who
Sent a Pistol
BALL THROUGH HIS HEAD.
A Family Quarrel Followed by a
Threat of Arrest Was the
IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE DEED.
The Shot Results Fatally, the End Being
Almost Instantaneous.
A SENSATION CAUSED BY THE SUICIDE

&c. Ackerman, one of Allegheny's best
known contractors, feared the terrors of the
great unknown less than he did the igno.
miny of being arrested In proof of this
he shot himself at his home at 240 River
avenue, at 9:15 o'clock last night. The bail
entered the right temple, and he died be-
lore be could release his grasp on the re-
volver
Coroner Mcdowell was notified at once
and his clerk, Grant Miller, made partial
investigation. AS far as could be learned
last night Ackerman had been drinking to
some extent, though he bears the reputation
of being a sober man. He was one cf the
prominent citizens of the Eighth ward and
was a well known figure in local
politics, He was contracting tesmster.
Result of a Threat of Arrest.
| According to the story told to the officer
he had had slight quarrel with his wife
and yesterday evening the quarrel was re-
newed over some trivial domestic matters.
The discussion became so warm that at 9
o'clock his spouse left the house, vowing
she would have him arrested. She
had no sooner left the house
than Mr.. Ackerman went into his
bedroom. In the meantime the wife was
hunting for an officer, and while she was re-
turning the report of revolver was heard.
The children hastened to their fathers
room-the eldest is only IA years of age
and there they found him lying on the bed.
The little ones were terror-stricken and
speechless, and were thus standing there
when the mother and Officer j ohm Deeble ap-
peared. Ackerman lay on the bed dead,
with the blood running from a bullet hole
in his right temple and the smoking re-
volver still in his hand. For a moment
they simply stood I'D watched the dead
father surrounded by his children.
Death Was Practically instantaneous.
In vain hope they called on Dr. John
Kirker, but there was no use for physi-
clan. The doctor said he had died
almost as soon as the shot was fired
Mrs Ackerman's grief was something
terrible to witness. The poor woman be-
came hysterical at the tragic ending of the
family quarrel and her screams could be
heard square away. The neighbors rushed
in, but it was long before they succeeded in
quieting her. She is rather good-looking
woman and is nearly 40 years old. Her
husband is about the same age. They have
three children. MI. Alderman was known
all over the city and owns considerable
property in the Eighth ward.
The probable secret of the suicide was
learned from an intimate friend of the fam
ily. He said the couple had got along
quite well together, but that Alderman be-
came Respondent very easily and was
especially fearful of Imprisonment
'fSome time ago." the gentleman said,
'Ackerman was arrested for some trivial
offense and it was weeks before he recov-
cred from the disgrace and hated even to
hear people mention the subject. He told
me that if he was ever threatened with arrest
again he would shoot himself rather than
submit to the disgrace. He had been drink
ing, and this, with the idea that his
private troubles would be made public
property, caused him to quit his work and
die before the officer could reach the
house"
The news of the suicide caused decided
sensation, and quite crowd collected in
the neighborhood of the house.