Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-12-24
TIE PACE THAT KILLS.

CITY Treus,,re,,s Foerstel's Son and As
sistant Kills Himself After RecisIessly
Squandcring n Large Sum of the City's
Cash--His Shortage. About a63,O00-His
Father Deposed and Ruined.
ST. Louis, Dec. 20. 0.--Deposed, n short
age in his accounts of S63, ,020.16, his
son dcad-a suicide-with absolute
ruin staring him IN the face, Michael
j Foerstel, until Monday night city
treasurer of st. Louis, is one of the
most miserable of men.
An investigation of his affairs, pre-
cipitated by the events to be related,
resulted in the discovery of the short
age given, the immediate removal of
the then treasurer by Acting Mayor
C. p. Walbridge, and the appointment
as temporary treasurer of Charles Par
sons, the best-known banker of the
city, who imm diately gave the re-
quired bond of $500, 600 and assumed
the position.
1t was but little after dawn Monday
when suicide added it's dark intima-
tions to the cloud of charges, counter
charges, denials and half-suppressed
scandal which has been hanging over
the Office of the treasurer of the city Of
st. Louis for weeks past.
Edward Foerstel, first assistant and
son of Michael j. Foerstel, city treas
urer, at o'clock Monday morning
shot himself in the right temple, the
ball passing through the brain, lodging
under the skin on the left side and caus-
ing death few hours later.
For weeks past stories of peculiar
doings in the treasurer's Office have
been aAoat. There have been suits
brought against the treasurer by
money lenders notorious for their
usurious charges, assertions regarding
real estate deals of the treasurer and
his son and allegations of use of the
city money by some one who recouped
the treasury previous to the regular
examinations by borrowing from the
shylocks who at last sued the treas
urer himself on notes which he de-
clared to be forgeries.
Monday morning about 6:05 o'clock
the announcement was made that fire
had been llindlcd shortly before in the
city treasurer's Office, where, with
the doors of the vaults wide open,
too apparent attempt had been
made to destroy everything in
that office and so forever
conceal the guilt of anyone who should
be guilty of wrong doing. Scarcely
two hours later came the news of
Foerstel's suicide. Then the situation
began to clear itself. Fortunately for
the city, prompt discovery of the blaze
enabled it's quick control, with the de-
struction, SO far as known, of only
some old papers and furniture.
OF the cash on hand the young suicide
was custodian. His death has closed
his lips, but the last act of his life sur
rounds him with evidence of guilt.
The attempt to burn the city
hall is construed by the police as the
act of guilty man. whose only
chance to escape detection was
in the destruction of the records
in the city treasurer's Office, of
which he had control. The evil
dence shows that he occupied his room
after midnight, and left it at an early
hour in the morning. His movements
after leaving the house cannot be
traced until point after the quench-
ing of the fire is reached. 1t is known
that about $3.50 he borrowed the re-
volver with which he committed sui
eide from James Harrison, Il friend, and
the theory is that he had learned of the
failure of his plot to destroy evidences
of his guilt and was thereby forced to
resort to death as the only escape.
Young Foerstel's record is that of a
wild young man and plunger. On
horses he was a heavy bettor, placing
1000 or more at time. He was also
interested in real estate deals beyond
his capacity to handle, as is shown by
recent developments in court proceed
ings. He was generally liked,
only about 23 years old, but old in ex.
perience for his years. In his capacity
as assistant treasurer of the city of st.
Louis over $40, 900. 900 in city funds and
securities passed through his hands
! each year. He was treasurer of two
| large building associations, the Ph9niy
and Home Comfort, but his accounts
| with these are said to be all right. He
was also senior member of Foerstel Il
Saxton. handling the lock whip-socket,
manufactured by the Novelty company.
Late Monday night the investigation
of the city treasurer's accounts was
completed, his books being checked
| with those of the comptroller and the
banks holding city deposits. AS re-
suit OF this searching inquiry an embez.
element of S63,O20.1 16 was discovered
and the action already noted taken
In this phase of the affair but little
except sympathy for ex-Treasurer
Foerstcl is heard. 1t is settled by the
inquiry that he, personally, is innocent
of wrong doing. His son sunk the
whole sum in frantic real-estate deals
the extent of which it will take weeks
to unravel. But the father is broker
and ruined man, who suffers punish
ment for the sons wrong doing.
Convention of Working Girls.
New YORK, Dec. 20.-A national con