Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-03
HOT DAYS AND DEATH.
Thursdays Appalling Record of
Crime in Allegheny County.
THE SAD FATE OF LENA HENSCHEL.
Two Suicides and Three Murders Recorded
in Single Day.
ANOTHER ONE DIES FROM sUNSTROKE

| were two suicides, another murder ana TWO
probable murders added to Allegheny coun.
tvs records yesterday. Among people
who have made study of the causes of sui
cides and murder there Is a well-founded
belief that hot weather always increases
| the number of such crimes Yesterday va;
hot and was no exception to the rule in the
matter of violent deaths. Suicides, like
the hot weather, come in waves. Yesterday
the mercury hovered in the neighborhood
of the nineties. In an establishment kept
by Mrs. Maggie Sutton at 141 Water street,
pretty Lena Henshel took poison yester.
day afternoon and is now in the
public morgue. Beside her remains lay
the dead body of William Blank, Ger
man gentleman, aged 60 years. Out East
street Charlie Buch lies dead in his father
house, struck down by the hand of colored
assassin. The murderer, Ringold, is In Jail
1t is charged that Joseph Henderson, of
McKeesport, has disposed of his wife.
Thomas Malcitky, of Natrona, is accused of
similar crime.
Links 'Twixt Hot Weather aud Crime.
The connection between hot weather and
crime is borne out at the Coroner's Office.
Acting Coroner Grant Miller says he is
fully convinced of the connection. He was
much surprised at the wave of suicide COM
ing so soon. It usually starts in July. That
month last year there were 13 suicides
Said Mr.. Miller:
"We have always noticed an increase in
crime during hot weather and especially in
suicides. For instance July II, 1888, was
Of fho bnf low In
falling down all over the city from the heat.
That day was recorded 81 sudden deaths
and ten of them were suicides. 1t
was nothing but the hot weather
caused it. Suicides all come in threes.
If there is suicide by hanging, two
more follow it. It is the same with poison
ing and shooting. Murders run the same
way and we expect more poisonings and
shootings in few davs. It ia almost sure
to come. Hot weather worries people and
if they are alone and have any tendency to
suicide they take their own lives To sui
eide is hereditary and we have known of
three generations that have ended their
own lives in the same manner"
Lena Henschel, the pretty suicide, is 21
years old and very handsome. She had
posed she killed herself because her lover
had deserted her. About 2 o'clock
Mrs Lewis, who runs the place
where the girl died, went to Lena's
room. She was writing a letter to
MAY Bishop, of 10 Second avenue. but the
pen had dropped from her hand. She asked
for glass Of milk and then fell into q
stupor from which death released her at S:15
last night. An empty laudanum bottle un-
der the bed told the story.
She Was Deserted by Her Lover.
The girl had been brought to the house
by Benjamin Bigger five weeks ago. Big
ger, who sells jewelry on installments TO
young women, visited the girl frequently.
Monday he left for Europe. The police be-
lieve there is another man in the case Both
deserted the girl. She had expected to go
somewhere for she had her trunk taken to
Union station.
Detective McTighe, who is working on
the case, found the girl comes of good
family in Upper Allegheny. She went by
the name of Miss Lewis, and had been in
Allegheny General Hospital: 1t was
claimed then she had been abused by her
husband. She had also been housekeeper
for man on Warner street, Allegheny, and
several days ago she had advertised in THE
DISPATCH for a position as housekeeper
and signed herself ''Widow." She
had intended to commit suicide for
she had destroyed all her letters. One was
from convict in Riverside Penitentiary,
who addressed her as his wife, but there was
nothing to show what was his name or
number.
Once in talking with Mr.. Sutton, Lena
Henschel had said she had once before
attempted suicide in Cincinnati.
Another Ends His Own Life.
The remains of William Blanke, the other
suicide, were found by Officer Crogan in
Kern's field, east of the OIL Well Supply
Company's mill, Hazelwood. He was fine
looking man of about CO. He had nothing
on him except passport to identify him.
There were two bullet holes in his head and
British bulldog revolver lying beside
him. Near was satchel and a cane. The
Crampe, County of Bublitz, Germany; age,
60 years; occupation, gentleman; sailed
May Z, 1892" His valise was unopened
and he had about S. in money in his clothes.
Immigrant Inspector Layton was put in
charge Of the case. ALI day yesterday the
police tried to penetrate the mystery, but
their efforts were unsuccessful. The
belief is that he went out there in a
street car in search of secluded spot where
he might end his life.
At dawn yesterday the life of little
Charlie Buch, of 800 East street, went out.
During the first extreme hot spell this year
an enraged negro named Ringold had
knocked him down with brick. Ringold
has been arrested and will now be tried for
murder.
Beat Her With q Beer Kee.
Squire Deury, of Natrona, yesterday
the Coroner that Mrs Thomas
Malciszky had died there under mysterious
The story is that the woman
had gone to Polish celebration
and had taken S15O with her.
5es became Violently angered and, it"Is it is
charged, knocked her down with beer
keg. The woman died, and has already
been buried. DR.. Lincoln signed death
certificate upon the representation of the
husband that his wife had died natural
death. A warrant has been sworn out for
Malciszky. He is employed at the Penn
sylvania Salt Works.
At McKeesport yesterday Joseph Hen
derson, colored, was sentenced to 60 days to
the workhouse. 1t is charged against him
that his wife has mysteriously disappeared.
The family residence in Miff1in township
burned mysteriously and she has not since |
been seen. The authorities are investi- |
eating the case.
Another sunstroke was reported yester- |
day in Allegheny. Charles Thompson, of |
176 Lacock street, was stricken down on
Federal street yesterday morning. His |
is serious.
Wednesday in Jones & Laughlin's mill, |
died yesterday at the Southside Hospital.