The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-05
SHOT HIMSELF THRICE
Dieterich Runne Committed
Suicide Because Of
Business Troubles.

Dieterich Runne, 40 years old, proprietor
of the Boulevard Hotel, No. 713 Montgonl-
cry street, killed himself this morRing at
1880 by shooting himself in the region of
the heart three times with an Ives and
Johnson 32-cahbre revolver. The act was
committed in the presence of his wife,
who is nearly prostrated with grief at
her husbands action. Runne has threat
ened to commit the rash act on several
previous occasions but the vigilance of
Mrs. Runne prevented him from accom-
plishing his purpose.
Mr.. Runne took possession of the Boule-
ward Hots- last December He has been
very heavy drinker. For the past two
weeks he has been at his worst and he
has threatened injury to the members Of
his family at different times. Last night,
before retiring, Runne held very pleas
ant conversation with his family. Suicide
was the last thing that Mrs. Runne
thought Of She thought her husband was
recovering from his condition and would
soon be himself again. This morning.
when he arose from his bed, he seemed
to be in first-class spirits. He passed
several jokes with his customers.
This morning the climax came. He
threatened his wife with a knife and
drove her from the house. At 1880 O'Clock
he went out greatly excited and rushed
to the hardware store of John P. Lam
drine, Bergen and Fairmount avenues.
Frederick Haesloop was in charge of
the store at the time. Runne asked for
him the weapon with which he killed
himself. AS Runne was leaving the store
Haesloop remarked
Don't do anything desperate"
was going through the door.
Runne went directly to his home,
which is only two blocks from Landrine's
and went to his room. after looking into
the saloon, where Charles Murphy was
tend ng bar.
Runne went upstairs to his room and
started conversation with his wife.
Mrs. Runne was startled when her hus-
pocket and drew revolver which he
placed to his heart and pulled tho trigger,
saying goodbye to his wife as he qid so.
Runne fell to the floor and pulled the
effect. Mrs. Runne screamed with hcr-
ror when she saw her husband lying dead
at her feet.
Murphy and several customers were
startled by hearing the reports of the re-
volver Murphy rushed to the street,
where he found Officer Leonard of the
Fifth precinct police station.
Leonard went to the unfortunate mans
room, where he found Runne stretched
at full length across the bed. The re-
volver was on the floor and there were
tnree bullet holeS in the mans left breast,
just over the heart The marks on the
body indicated that the revolver was
pressed tightly against the body
Officer Britten. of the First precinct.
entered with Leonard and kept curious
crowd at bay while Leonard sent call
to the City Hospital for an ambulance
Warden Osborn and physician arrived
and pronounced Runne dead. Britten says
death came three minutes after the shoot
ing.
Mrs. Runne and the employees of the
hotel attribute Runne's action to drink.
They say that he was greatly worried
over business transaction in relation to
saloon which Runne owned some time
ago at the corner of Griffith street and
Cambridge avenue Runne it is said. sold
this place to Henry Becker his bartender
on. notes Becker failed and left a num-
ber of bills behind, which creditors tried
to collect from Runne. This, it is said
worried him greatly.
Runne leaves a wife and three children.
Herman, aged IA; Harry aged u, and
Minnie, aged 4. No arrangements have
yet been made for the funeral.