New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-20
SUICIDE FOLLOWS FIRE.
THE ASSISTANT TREASURER OF ST. LOUIS
KILLS HIMSELF.
\ LARGE SHORTAGE IL TIE CITYs ACCOUNTS
Observation-Disclosures THEORIES
OF THE CRIME.

OF THE CRIME.
st. Louis, Dec. l0.-Deposcd, a shortage in his
accounts OF SG3 O26 IG, his son suicide, with abso
ute ruin staring him in the face, Michael J. Foerstel
until tonight City Treasurer of st. Louis. is of
the most miserable Of NELL
An investigation Of his affairs, prccpltatcd by the
occurrences TO be related resulted In the discovery
of the shortage given. the immediate removal of The
treasurer by acting Mayor {. r. Wabridge, and IN"
appointment as temporary Treasurer Of Charles Far
sons. the best known banker Of the city, who imme
diaely gave the required bond OF a5OOOO and as
sumcd the Office.
About O'Clock this morning the Waterman IN the
ely Hall discovered fire In closet In the pivai~
oce OF the City Treasurer, in which papers and docu-
men's OF various binds pertaining 10 the Office were
stored Inc fire was soon quenched and the damage VIII
not amount 10 much the pap burned having been but
OF little value. About . O'Clock word received
That Edward FoerStel. the and chief clerk OF the
treasurer, had shot himself at his home. No. 2,llo
finest This was Immediately connected with the
FIRE. ana suspicion WAS aroused that young F0erstelS
accounts wer, short and that the fire had been started
o destroy evidences OF the defalcaton. 1t has been
known for time that Edward Focrstel had
neSo'ia,ei loans through man named W T. Vow, and
some o. the notes bore the Endorsement of Michael J.
Foer'tel These were declared to be forgeie' by Nr.
FoerSt2l. but Vow obtained the money the notes
and the matter seemed TO be settled
Young Foerstel died at 10 70 u. m. It appears
that he stood before the mirror OF his dresser and
fred n shot into his right temple. nHicng a large.
ragged wonni lie sank TO the fl or unconscious and
remained In that condition until he died. Nothing
was found in his room on III, person TINT would
Indicate the cause of his act. The young man was
seen in the reasurcr's Office Yesterday afternoon and
the door Of the Office vault was found open when the
fir men entered the room this morning but the door
# the inner safe was locked.
The police cannot shake OF the suspicion that
young Foerstel set tie fire that was discovered In
time to save the records. They believe that he laid
bis plans TO prove m abb In the C.Iy Hall
total wreck and in the ruins lay The records Of tho
treasurers Office.
To evidence is that he occupied his room after
midnight and left II at an carly hour this morning.
His movements after leaving the house cannot be
traced until point after Quenching Of the fire Is
reached II is known that nj about u 80 h. Dor
rowed the revolver with which no committed suridc
from James Harrison. friend aud the theory is that
he had learned OF tho failure OF his plot to destroy
evidences OF his CUNT. and thereby forced to
sort to death as the only cscape.
Ills record Is that Of Wild young end
punger lie was heavy bettor on horses, placing
II 900 or more at time. He WIS also Interested IA
real estate deals beyond his capacity 10 handle, is
shown by recent developments Ia court proceedings.
Toung Focrstcl was generally liked. lie was about
twenty three years Of age In his capacity assistant
treasurer OF Ito city OF 81 Louis, over siO.ooO,0oo
In city funds and securities passed through bis hands
ca Ia wear. lie was treasurer OF two large building
asso iailons. the Phoenix and Home Comfort. but hs
accounts with these arc known 90 be NIL right. lilo
also senior member OF the firm Of Fo"rs'el *
sax;on handling the lock whip socket, manufactured
by the Novelty Company
Another theory for tho suicide bat which is
clvng llic attention except ~ indirectly confirming
other statements. - The story az r. J. Dclano. attorney
FOR the dead Referring 10 tlc suicide to day. he
said " He called upon in fhc lat tlir@ four
weeks almost daily 20 confer with about an at
temp: whi'h certain pciSon was making 10 obtain
money from him. lie said That his p,ron had de
mandrd SiuoJJ as The pace 81 "a keeping hi9 mouth
ur"r's Office. AZ 10 time Ia these interviews dl Mr.
FOrr,cl admit that there was anything wrong IN lls
Office. on the contrary, lr always DECLARED him-'tf
ready to stand any iuvc,tieaiion. and hs so.r
az slcnclnc his s1ndcTors ly public PROSECUTION
for bnckns!L M Iocete never sue eed'u IN grtt NJ
a written proposition, but In tho course Of The ne
go'iatlOns the fellow reduced lii demand 10 5000
When II came Il facing our demand for proof. he
utterly failed 70 furnish Now this matter
worried FL terribly. on" day hc exclaimed: My
around tallhng abolt and Leaving me no iepa'a
lion. except. perhaps. to Hill him think that this
SANDER affected him until he got out Of hls head, and
In moment 81 insanity he hllea himself
Late might The invp~ugation 81 The city treas
urer accounts completed his books Icing CHECKED
With those Of the Controller and The hanks holding city
deposits As r'ault % tin searching inquiry an
ENLIGHTENMENT Of s'J.o20 10 was discovered. and DE
AFFAIR little except sympathy iog "X reasur'r f"TSt
T. heard. II Is settled iv the inquiry that lie pi
Sonny IS innocent Of wroncdong. Ills son probably
sunk the whole In frantic lcnl estate deals, 'hr
ertcnt Of which n WIN take weeks I" unrav'l Isut
the father IS broken and ruined man who suffers
punishment for the sons wrongdo!nss