The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-20
q 81 Oils SENSATION

Of. LOUIS, dec. lJ.-ADOut D q CLOCK UnlS
morning the watchma in the city hall
discovered a fire in closet in the private
Office of City Treasurer NJ. j. Foerstel, in
which papers and documents Of various
kinds pertaining to the Office were stored
The fire was soon quenched and the dam
age Will not amount to m uch, the papers
burned having been of little value. About
9 o'clock word was received that Edward
Foerstel, son of the treasurer, and also
his chief clerk, had shot himself at his
home at PIP Pine street. Suspicion was
aroused that young Foerstel was short in
his accounts and that the fire had been
started with the view of destroying evil
dences OF the defalcation. 1t has been
known for some time that Edward
FOerstel had negotiated loans through a
man named w. T. Vow, who it appears
was only go-beUween for the indorse-
ment of Michael J. Foerstel. These in
dorsements were declared to be forgeries
by Mr.. Foerstel, but Vow obtained the
money on the notes and the matter seemed
to be settled.
The affair is very much complicated,
and at this writing nothing definite can be
obtained. Treasurer Foerstel says that
his sons accounts are straight and that he
cannot explain Edwards suicide. 1t is
expected that the mystery surrounding
tue affair Will DS ClG8T6u uD during bD6
day. An examination of the burned closet
will be made by Comptroller Stevenson,
when it will be ascertaIned what has been
destroyed. The treasurer says that all the
papers and accounts of the city treasury
are safe.
Young Foerstel died at 1925 o'clock a.
m. He stood before the mirror of his
dressing case and fired the ball into his
right temple, iufiicting a large ragged
IYpnnI NnthlDu "a fDnnn IN his
or on his person that would Indicate the
cause of his act. The young man was seen
in the treasurer's office yesterday after
noon. aud the door of the vault was found
open Wien the tiremen entered the room,
this morning, hut the door of the safe was
locked. 1t is said that some of the office
books were burned.
DISGRACE AND RUIN.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 10 -Deposed from office,
n shortage in his accounts of S63, ,U30, his
sou dead Ga suicide) with absolute ruin
staring him in he face-Michael j. FOer-
stel until tonight treasurer of st. Louis,
is one of the most miserable of men. An
investigation of his affairs precipitated by
events TO be related, resulted in the dis
covery of the shortage given, the immedi-
ate removal of the treasurer by Acting
Mayor Walbridge and the appointment Of
his successor.
Edward Foerstel, first assistant treas
urer, aud son of Michael j. Foerstel,
city treasurer, early this morning shot
himself in the right temple, causing a fatal
wound, he dying tonight For weeks
past stories of peculiar doings in the
treasurer's office have been atlOat. There
have been suits brought against the treas
urer by money lenders notorious for their
usuriuus charges; assertions regarding
real estate deals OF the treasurer and his
4 ion, y,f
by some one. who recouped the treasury
previous 10 the regular examinations 10y
borrowing from the shylocks. Treasurer
Foerstel WAS himself on notes which he
declares TO be forgeries
This morning about o'clock came the
announcement that fire had been kindl-
ed shortly before in the city treasurer's
office, where. with the doors of the vault
wide open, it was too apparent an attempt
had been made to destroy everything in
the Office aod TO conceal the guilt Of any
one who was guilty of wrongLoing. I'M
mediatey after the fire had been pat out,
police were placed In charge OF the treas
urer's office ntil the proper officials could
make an examination. When Treasurer
FOers.el reached the Office and discovered
the situation, almost his first words
were:
When Eddie comes down we will
count the cash, although don't think
there was much there. "
A few minutes later toe bookkepers
arrived and it was learned that there
should be a little over Sil 900 in the safe
I've sent for Eddie, F" said the treasurer,
land l think lie Il be mere in il z minute.
At this time rumur of "Edde'sn al
tempted suicide was current aud a dozen
city officials. including Commodore
Smith. Comptroller Stevenson. Auditor
Brown. about four detectives and dozen
newspaper men, stood around. All knew
where Eddie was, yet none had the nerve
to speak. At this moment an employe OF
the Office came in aud said:
4, Ny God. why d0u't you tell himl Why
don't somebody tell him Tell him;
can't
Tell whatS' asked the treasurer, as he
finished looking at statement book
keeper had Just handed him.
Alike, \et has committed sujcide''
said the speaker. When he full import
Of the sent-nce was fully grasDed by
. reasurer Foerstsl be looked At tEe safe,
turned pale, aud then grew ashy 10 color.
be dld EQt >peHk or look up Tue only
outward sign OF the grief which be was
undergoing was that tie seemed TO grow
twenty y-ar- older The treasurer paced
the otiicr minute. his handkerchief u
his eyes. aud Ihrn by violent Fl 1rt he
suppressed ala emotion aud went 10 tae
comptroller
When viii you look into things heres''
he said
As sooa as you are ready, replied the
comptroller
IL few minutes the work was begun
under the direction OF Comptroller Stew
eBsou and his assistants OF tie casa en-
hand tae young suicide was the custodian