New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-01
PATERSON MYSTERY SOLVED.
THE BODY FOUND IN BURNING BRUSH
IS IDENTIFIED.
A CASE OF SUICIDE. NOT MURpER-TIIE BULLET
WOUND OVER THE HEART MADE BY THE
MAN HIMSELF. AND HE STARTED HIS
OWN FUNERAL PYRE.


OWN FUNERAL PYRE.
Paterson. April 30 (speciaD.-The grim mystery
surrounding the death OF the man found last night
in field OF burning brush n bullet wound through
his heart suggesting another CHASTITY crime was
cleared up this evening when Mrs. Edward LIP
pert. OF South Slxth-ave., Lakeview. identified the
body. 1t that OF her husband. hard working
mechanic. who through unfortunate contract.
lost the savings OF lifetime. and broodng con-
stanty over his misfortune he lost his reason and,
It Is believed, committed suicide Several years ago
he attended the funeral OF friend who had been
cremated. and the idea OF burning his own body
probably took form in Iipperts mind from that
lie wandered about the woods IN the vicinity OF
his home yesterday. selecting a spot for his pur-
pose. and set fire TO the brushwood In Max's
woods nearly opposite the scene OF the tragedy.
Afterward he crossed TO abandoned quarry. built
his funeral pyre. and then returned home 10 get
revolver and bid his last farewell.
Lippert and his wife came here four years ago
from saxony. lie good carpenter. and re-
Gently Mrs Iippert came into a small legacy and
Lippert branched out a contractor lie was not
well educated. and he made ruinous contract
which swept away his all. This was just before
Christmas. Ills habits not changed. but he
sat daily for hours bordering over the unfortunate
plans. He complained OF palms in his head. and
commanded his wife that should anything happer
him TO have his body cremated. Several times in
the last four months the wife sat up all night, fear
full that Lppert would carry out his threats FOR
two weeks he could not work. His head was on
fire. he said. and he must die.
on Wednesday morning Rosa Moeni saw him
in Max's woods. about furlon5 from "1ramps
Rivulet" a small brook running beneath the Erie
tracks, where Migrants gather and wash their
clothes. Soon after this the brush was discovered
be fire. Lippcrt crossed the fields TO the
Banpigan silk mill Franz Peltz, the engineer
lives on the first floor Of his home. He asked II
fs..r.. 4 htc w.tfA ha
because he was late.
At home he took his little daughter "Madchen"
on his knee and told her to be good. as he was
going away and would not come back Mrs Lip
port laughed at him when he kissed her. and said
he was going to burn himself up. She gave him
s. and watched him from the porch as he walked
down the road ana turned 10 wave his hand. When
her window at midnight She could see the lanterns
OF the detectives searching for clew to the sup
posed murder. The morgue wagon came across
from the lane with its CHASTITY freight while she
sat and waited and at last worn out, FELL asleep
just before dark James Malone an employe OF
ST. Joseph's Hospital. was cutting sod. and noticed
fire spring up in the woods In several places. He
knew tramps often dned in the small deserted
quarry and he drove along a cowpath which runs
by It's side Between two large fat stones he saw
a man lying face downward on his left side Dry
leaves and brush were burning round him and
eating away his clothing Malone Informed John
Iiillman and Morris Flanagan. two farm hands.
and the three exiingushed the flames. They found
that empty nail key had been broken up. Its
slaves had been placed round the body. The coat,
and shirt were buttoned tightly and not until
the clothing removed at the morgue was T.
that directly over the heart was fresh bullet
wound. There was no puncture in any OF the gar
ments and dgent search failed TO discover .
weapon The police hogan work on the theory that
the man had been murdered and the fire started
TO hide the crime. The autopsy disclosed that the
ball had entered between the third and fourth ribs
took course through the left lung and heart I'm
bedding itself In the muscles OF the back There
were powder marks round the wound. but the idea
Of suicide was scorned The detectiv"s were batfed.
When Mrs. Import learned OF tho finding OF the
dead man and Identified him. the mystery was
solved.