The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-26
HICKS'S VICTIM is DEAD
FATAL TERMINATION OF THE ILL
NOIs-HoUsE SHOOTING.
Brother of the Murdered Woman
Speaks of the Tragedy-Hicl1s's
Trial Continued.

Mrs. Josephine Romhilt. proprietress of
the Illinois House. the victim of Fritz
Hickss unexplained shooting. died about
midnight last night. Shortly after IL O'Clock
her brother, William Essmann, who has
been in attendance at her bedside since the
tragedy of Tuesday evening, was notified by
DR.. Oliver, the physician who has cared for
Mrs. Romhilt, that hope might be aban-
doned. Mr.. Essmann then notified the other
immediate relatives of the fatal result of
the shooting and asked them to come at
once.
An internal hemorrhage resulted from the
wound in the breast, and the physicians had
warned the relatives that if this developed
there was little chance of Mrs Romhilt's
recovery. Her brother, Louis Essman, died
few weeks ago. Mrs. Romhilt came here
from Peoria, ILL.,, Jan. l, to take charge of
the Illinois House, south of the Union Sta
ton on Illinois street, her brother, William
Essman, the former landlord, having been
appointed superintendent of the workhouse
She had formerly lived in Indianapolis, and
was known to many, who welcomed her
here again. Previous to the two years she
lived in Peoria she had lived for some time
in Chicago Her husband died over five
years ago.
Fritz Hicks, who shot Mrs. Romhilt, was
given his preliminary hearing yesterday,
and his case was continued until Feb. 2
He was taken to the Jail showing the eff
fects of his depressed spirits in the care
worn lines of his youthful face and said
nothing to the police or jailers that might
throw further light on his motive in COM
hitting the crime. The news of Mrs. ROM
hits death was telephoned to the Jail, but
the turnkey decided not to inform Hicks OF
1t until morning. Hicks was sleeping
SOundly at the time the news was received
there, although during the day he had ques-
toned every one he was permitted to see
concerning the probable result of his act
William Essman, in discussing the tragedy
this man are so widely different that i can
not see how he could have become infatuat-
ed with woman having a son almost as
old as he is. Mrs. ROmhilt once told me
that he had been paying attention TO her
daughter Gertrude and L advised her not
10 permit II, 1nasmuch as l did not think
he was desirable person for her, although
he was at that time a friend of mine. The
picture, with the aid of which he was cap
tured, was a group in which the daughter
and several of the dining room girls APP
peared. When l gave up the house to my
sister, told her about Hicks, who had been
my guest for several months and whom
had befriended in many ways. permitting
him to run behind in his board and securing
him employment when / could. / told her
that he was all right and that when he got
work he would pay the bill. l helped him
get his last job bricklayer on the new
cold storage building. When he came to the
wCrkhouse to borrow my revolver he said
that he had had supper, which L afterward
learned 20 be untrue. / offered to loan him
a rifle, which / told him would be more suit
able for the coon hunt he said he was going
to attend, but he said: No, l want re-
volver. All the other fellows in the crowd
l am going with have them I took my re-
volver from my hip pocket and handed it
to him and he promised to return it to the
workhouse before o'clock in the morning.
Mrs. Essman, mother of the murdered
woman, is at present visiting another
daughter, Mrs. c. H. Hickson, at Teluhonia,
Tenn. The mother was notified of the trag
edy by telegraph yesterday Mrs. j. X.
Kirkhoff, of 1909 East Merrill street. this
city, is q sister of Mrs. Romhilt.