The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-28
FROM PAIN TO DEATH.
An Old Soldier Ends Suffering
From His Wounds.
BLINDNESS COMING UPON HIM.
Driven to Despair by Its Approach and
Neuralgia He Took His Lfre-of
Old German Family.

William Spielman. q descendant of one
of the best families in Stennheim on the
Main, Germany. shot himself through the
head with revolver, at his residence, cor
ner of Norman and South Twelfth streets
yesterday morning about 7:30 O'Clock
He ended his lie because total blindness
was only few weeks ahead, and his suf-
fering from neuralgia pains in the head
were beyond endurance.
Ii was while he lived in ST. Joseph. Mo-,
several years ago that the effects Of wounds
received during the war began to tell upon
him and neuralgia settled in and about his
eyes. The best physicians and oculists
we're consulted, but in the end he lost one
eye from an operation. Four years ago he
came to Seattle with his family, and during
q part of the time he has been a silent suf-
ferer, his eye affecting him more especially
during the wet season. Four months ago
he sold his interest in the Schooner saloon,
at the corner of South Sixth and King
streets. and has done nothing since
Within the last few days he has COM
planned TO his friends of agonizing pains,
but never let his wife or daughter know
that he was not in good health. Tuesday
afternoon he told E. yoiand. the tailor,
that he should kill himself if his eve
troubled him much longer. and not long
after that he fainted in the Don saloon, on
Cherry, between Second and Third streets.
His friend A. Mueller. proprietor of the
saloon. knew of his trouble and stayed
with him until he was able to go home
That evening Mr.. Spielman gave no clue
to his family of what was evidently in his
mind. He was pleasant before retiring
aud when his wife got up in the morning
to get breakfast he asked her why she got
up so early when there was no need of it.
Mrs. Spielman. however, thought there
was work for herself and daughter, and
was busily engaged about the house when
the report of revolver was heard from
the bed room in which Mr.. Spielman lay.
Wife and daughter rushed in, and there
on the bed lay the husband and father
dead. with bullet through his brain His
lett hand still ciasped 3s-caliber Ameri-
can bulldog revolver and his finger rested
on the trigger. The bullet lodged on the
right side of the head between the skull
and skin.
Coroner Horton was soon at the house,
and on examining the room found two
letters and purse. One of the letters was
to his wife. 1t told her that he took his
life because of suffering from neuralgia
and the approach of total blindness. Mrs.
SpielInan read the letter and every word
only increased her grief. The other letter
was to A. Mueller, asking him to see that
he was buried under the auspices of the
Sons of Herman. His wishes were con-
veyed to the lodge yesterday afternoon
and aeceded 10. The funeral will take
pace at the residence next Sunday after
noon at O'Clock. The interment will bs
at Lake View cemetery.
Mr.. Spielman was born IS years ago at
Stennheim-on-Main, Germany. His father
was a wealthy boat builder and also mayor
of the town many years. Since his death
an elder son has filled that position Mr..
Spielman received a good education, and
when still young man emigrated to Aus
tralia, where he was in the gold mines
until 1852 Then he went to New York
city. The rebellion came on and he went
out with the famous Seventh regiment of
New York. but was afterward transferred
to the navy owing TO his knowledge of
maritime affairs, acquired in his fathers
shipyard. At the end of the war he
moved to st. Joseph. Mo-, with his wife,
and lived there until four years ago, when
he moved 10 Seattle. He counted among
his closest friends Congressman Burns. of
Missouri, with whom he corresponded up
to the day of his death. At the time that
the notorious Dave Dennee shot Dick
Rickard in the gambling house at the cor
ner of Cherry and Third streets Mr.. Spiel
man was running saloon at the corner of
South Sixth and King streets. Dennee es-
capped from the city by aid of his 4S-Colts
revolver, but came back and took a room
over Mr.. Spielman's saloon. 1t will be re-
membered how the police had the house
surrounded for about thirty-six hours be-
fore bringing Dennee TO terms.
Mr.. Spielman was a member of Chester
Harding post. G. A. r.. st. Joseph. Mo-:
Sons of Herman Lodge, No. 4. and the
Turn Verein.