The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-02-03
DEAD in
LOUISVILLE
Marshall W. Mettler Of Madison
Commits Suicide.

Commits Suicide.
His Mind Unhineed by Business
Cares and iii Health, He Seeks
to Get Away From Familiar Scenes
After Three Days Search. a
Telegram from the Kentucky City
Explains His Disappearance.
The disappearance of Marshall w.
Mettler, a well-known harness dealer
of Madison, and man of exemplary
habits, who went to New York on Mon
day to purchase stock, was accounted
for yesterday noon by the receipt of a
telegram at Madison from the editor of
the Louisville Times, stating that the
missing man had committed suicide in
that city the previous night.
Deceased left his place of business on
Monday, stating to his wife and to his
foreman that he would return early in
the afternoon. A bill of goods was pur-
chased at j. L. Hurley's, 81 Warren
street.
About o'clock Charles Winters Of
Madison met him on Cortlandt street,
near West, and in response to question.
Mr. Mettler said he was going home by
way of Newark. His non-appearance on
the train specified did not cause much
uneasiness, for it was thought his home
coming had been delayed in order that
he might witness the return of the Sixty
ninth Regiment. Failure to return on
the last train gave Mrs. Mettier great
uneasiness, and when he did not come on
the early trains, she communicated with
Station Agent Squires. Within short
time anxious friends were enroute for
Newark and New York, places where
the missing merchant generally pur-
chased goods were visited and both tele-
phone and telegraph were called into
use, and the police force of the various
cities were also notified. Hospitals and
morgues were visited; while at home an
anxious wife was almost Frustrated.
Mr. Mettler was as well and favorably
known here, where he had been the
trusted foreman for d. S. Brink for
nearly twenty years, and until he left
to engage in business at Madison nine
years ago, as in that town; and his mys-
erious disappearance also caused great
anxiety to his relatives and numerous
friends in this place.
Not the slightest clue was obtained un-
til his brother-in-law, Louis d. B.
Pruden. was shown the brief telegram
announcing the sad manner of his
death
Shortly afterwards, Postmaster Lari.
sonof Madison notified Mr.. Pruden that
letter, evidently addressed by Mr..
Mettler, had just been received. The
letter was dated "Galt House, Louisville,
KY, 10 p. M" in which, after address,
ing his wife in the most affectionate
terms, he said by the time the letter
would be received he would have passed
away. He wrote that he was a financial
wreck, and the idea was prominent that,
having made a wretched failure, he
wanted to get as far away from the
trouble as possible. He gave minute
directions for burial, named the under
taker and requested that Madison Lodge
of Free Masons conduct the funeral
service.
The mystery of Mettler's movements
has only one solution-temporary in
sanity. Recently Mr.. Mettler had been
Ia severe sufferer from grippe, and was
still weak and, in addition, was suffering
from neuralgia. In conversation with
friends in this place, few days since,
he complained of head trouble.
r. M. Hancock, an undertaken, left
last night for Louisville, and he will
accompany the remains home, reaching
Madison on Saturday morning.
The CHRONICLE, in order to secure as
much information as possible, wired the
Louisville Times last night, receiving in
reply the following telegram which tells
the sad story to sorrowing wife, father
and friends;
LOUISVILLE, KY, Feb. 2.-M.W. Met
Ter of Madison, N. j., was found dead in
room 451 at the Galt House, this morn
ing, with bullet hole through his tenn
pie and cheap revolver, 80 calibre,
clntched in his hand. He had committed
suicide some time during the night and
the fact that the shot was not heard is
accounted for by reason that his apart
ment was between two linen rooms. Mr..
Metler arrived at the hotel Tuesday night
and registered as IN. Waterhouse, New
Jersey" He was shown to his room and
never left it alive. He was called yes
terday morning, but said as he was not
feeling we'll he desired to keep his room.