New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-29
MURDER AND Suicide.
A BROOKLYN TAILOR KILLS HIS EN-
PLOYERs DAUGHTER AND HIMSELF.

BOTH BODIES FOUND on THE FLOOR OF a
ROOM AT THE GIRLS HoME-sHE WAS
TAKEN TO a HOSPITAL. EUT DIED
THREE HOURS LATER.
Annie Sauter. seventeen years old. was shot
yesterday afternoon by Michael Gessner a
journcyman tailor. at her home No y Beaver
ST.. Brooklyn f. D.. and died three hours later
in St GATHERINGS Hospital. The murderer, after
firing the fatal shot. took his own life by sending
bullet crashing into mis- brain.
| As far as known there was motive for the
crime.
The murderer and suicide was employed by the
father OF his victim and was thlrty-sevcn years
old. lie a married man. but separated
from his wife soon after their marriage. fifteen
years ago owing 10 the suspicion that his wife
was too fond OF other men. Since then Gessner
had lived with the Sauter family which consists
Of Sauter his wife. Carrie and their five chill
dren. Rosie Henry Gottlieb, Annie and Kate
whose ages are respectively 22. 2o II. II and :
years Annie dl all the housework while the
three other children assisted their parents in
the tailor shop, which was in the basement II the
house.
on Monday night Gessner was paid OF ana i'it
the house He said he was going out to have
live Is two-story ana basement frame. over
the tailor shop Is the dning-room In the rear.
and the parlor I'm the front. The sleeping apart
| ironts consist of two rooms on the top n'or. with
n door separating them There are two beds In
each room. Gcssncr occupied one II the beds ana
the sauter boys and father the other while
Annie and her sisters al1 mother slept In The
rear room.
Gessner dii not return until late Wednesday
night When he entered the house the family
had retired He appeared to be in an ugly mood
and when he arose yesterday morning told his
employer that he diln'i think he would 20 -
work. He would give no r"asor, and was SUI
I'm n suky mood.
About O'Clock the murderer sent one OF the
boys out for pint e beer, which was brought
- his room Henry Sauter. one Of the sons.
drank some Of the beer with him. 1t was 10
o'clock when he went out. returning in about
half an hour lie went 10 his room again and
calling one Of the boys sent for another pint of
beer. which he drank After Annie had pre-
pared the noon neal she called Gessner. He re-
Piled that he didn't want anything 10 eat. While
the family were eating, Gessner went To me room
Of Mrs Saut"r.
\ few minutes after O'Clock Annie entered
her bedroom. Cicssncr sitting on the edge Il
the bed but di not speak.
Katie. Saut"r, with number of playmates
yard back of the house. whsu Ami" appeared AZ
the window and began o. haul IN on the pulley
line. Il hang out me washing. but before she
had pinned any of the garments upon II pistol
shot heard. The children looked up and
SAW the girl fall back into the room.
\ second and third shot quickly followed. AMI
Katie ran into the hous" 10 alarm her parents
Young Gottlieb with hts brother Henry. ran
upstairs To tho bedroom. They tried 10 enter
the room but found llifculty in doing So. The
bed had been pushed against the door on push
ing the bed back they uttered the room. and
We're horrhed 10 SEE the girl and Gcssucr lying on
the n'or IN a pool II blood. Both were unc"n-
soi"us ana blood WAS flowing from the wounds
In their heads
The murderer and suicide tightly graspcd In
his right hand a 3S-Calbre revolver. The girl
was b"hing n" bed lylrg IN her back. while
the murderer was lying near the door on his
face.
The cries Of the young men brought the other
members Il the family TO IA" scene. When
Mrs. Sauter slw "a" Unconscious form u her
daughter she tainted. Tho dying glr was
moaning. and the father ana brothers tried 20
The shots had aroused the neghb,rho,i
Eoundsncn Gallagher ana Banner n ia"
into tho house. When they reached the ro,m
they Immediately sent call to 81. GATHERINGS
Hospital Surgeon Br wn responded and saw
that both the man ana ihe girl were m0ray
wounded. The girl had been shot behind the
right ear. Another bullet had been fired into her
right temple. Dr. Brown gave IT as MS opinion
that the murderer had crypt mp behind his
victim while she was ~ the window and fred
the weapon just back ~ her ear The second
shot must have been fired while she Jay upon
the Nrcr
The police theory Is that Gcssner had acted
improperly toward his victim while She In
the bedroom ana that he ShOt fcr on threats -
cxp0se him 10 her parents The father u the
murdered girl said yesterday that his daughter
had never shown any fDndness for GcsSner nor
he for her on the contrary. they seldom ex-
changed any words.
The murderer and suicide Is said 70 have tod
Jacob Weber. n nc!ghbor two weeks ago that
he felt like taking mis- He. but gave no reason
for g.
lie never owned revolver. and II IS supposed
he pur, hascl The one ne used from The salary he
received On Monday The girl was dcvOtcdly
attached - her home and well liked by her
many friends Three years ago Ges-ncr A.
rested for stealing. and served a term In the
t,.uitcutiary