St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-02-09
WITCHES AFTER HIM.
A Prominent Citizen, Crazed
With Grippe, Shoots
Himself.
George TuSsner Locks HIM
self Up mills Bed
room,
Declares His Life Is Being
Threatened by
Witches,
And in a Frenzy Crashes a
Bullet Into His
Brain.

A pistol in the hands of George w.
Tussner. wealthy and well-known
citizen, has in all probability put an
end to what has been useful life. 1t
was but few minutes after o'clock
yesterday afternoon when, in his own
bed chamber, he fired the shot that has
shrouded his home in gloom. All last
night his little daughter and his imme-
diate friends kept watch at the
bedside. waiting for the feeble
flame of life that still remained to go
out forever. The news that Mr.. fuss
ner has attempted and in all probabii-
ity succeeded i'll. taking his own life
will spread CONSERVATION among his
many friends and business associates in
this city, as only 4 few weeks ago he
mingled with them in the walks of
daily life, blessed with all the comforts
that wealth can bestow. The fact that
the fatal bullet was fired while in
state of temporary insanity will, how
ever, explain what must otherwise
have been mystery to all. About
twelve days ago MIR. Tussner was taken
i'll with the prevailing illness, la grippe,
and was confined to his home. The dis
ease was no more serious with HIM than
in most cases, and he was in fair way
toward recovery when peculiar sore
ness attacked his right ear and caused
famed and its condition so alarming that
a physician was called in, who per-
formed an operation upon it. The oper-
alton evidently failed of effect, as the
patient did not improve, and the latter
part of last week he became delerious,
and imagined that his bed was sur
rounded by witches who were anX-
iouS to carry him away. He continued
to become more violent in his rawlings,
despite the efforts of his daughter and
his sister-in-law, Mrs. Myers, who were
constantly by him and tried to assure
him. Sunday evening the policeman
whose beat includes the Tussner resi-
dence, at the corner of East Third street
and Maria avenue, heard a pistol shot
from within the house and fastened to
the door. There he was met by Mrs.
Myers, who assured him that nothing
had happened, but that Mr.. TuSsner,
while handling revolver. had accident
ally let it 20 Off The officer reported
the affair at Margaret street station, and
Sergeant Dowlan was sent 10 investi-
gate the matter yesterday morning. He
was satisfied with the same explanation.
and returned to the station. just
before o'clock in the afternoon
Telephone message was received at
Margaret. street station asking that an
officer be sent to the Tussner residence.
Capt. Hanft and Sergeant Dowlan an
Swered the call, and when they reached
the house were informed that MIR. fuss
ner was locked in his room and grave
fears were felt as to what the insane
man might do. The officers went with
Mrs. Myers to his door and demanded
admittance. The reply came from
Tussner that he would not open the
door, as the witches would come in.
The officers procured a iiatceet and
prled the door open. Sergeant DoWian
peered In and saw Tussner cr0uching in
an attitude of fear and trembling.
ing, and in his hand held cooked re-
volver. The officers determined to
break down the door, and were dong
this when a shot was fired, which they
imagined had been at them. QuietneSs
followed the shot, and Dowlan once
more peered into the room and saw
TusSnef lying upon the floor. Blood
was flowing from Tussner's head, and
he was at once laid upon the bed. DIR.
Stamm had been IN the house with the
officers, but he was unable TO locate the
bullet. 1t had entered Tussner'S right
eyebrow, and recovery IS very doubtful.
George w. TuSSner was for some time
proprietor Of the Washington hotel,
near the union depot, but leased that
property to the present incumbent. He
owns the mosaic works, located in the
skating rink on Jackson street. Heis
Russian. and his wife and one daughter.
nineteen years of age, are at present
travelling in Germany. A cablegram
has been sent to them. A son seven
teen years old, a student at Notre Dame,
Ind, and the daughter already men
toned, whose age is thirteen, constitute
the family. Tussner is about forty.five
years old.