Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-01-09
SUICIDE.
Herman Sell Hangs Himself on Thurs
day Morning.

| Herman Sell Hangs Himself on Thurs
day Morning.
Herman Sell, proprietor of the meat
market on Scott street, near the corner
of Sixth street, committed suicide in
the barn in the rear of the yard at his
place of business, on Thursday morn
ing at about seven o. o'clock, by hanging
himself. Financial troubles seem to
he had stated several times that he had
about 81, 100 in small accounts standing
out among his customers, and was not
able to collect any of it. Also stated at
one time that he would rather put a
bullet through his head than to con-
tinue such business. On Thursday
morning he got up at five O'Clock and
went outside. In short time returned
and went to bed. At about $50 o'clock
he left the house again, and it seems
went to the barn to end his life. At
about seven o'clock his wife went out
to call him for breakfast the barn door
was open and as she went in she saw
her husband hanging there, dead. She
hurriedly returned to the shop and told
John NIerklein, Jr., who was working
there, who Immediately telephoned
Coroner DIR. Dickens, and then went
out to the barn, calling Robert Schmidt
who was passing by and several neigh
bors. AS the body was warm, and it
was thought perhaps there was yet life
in it, the rope was cut, but DR..
Dickens arriving at that moment pro-
nounced Mr.. Sell beyond resuscitation.
A jury of six was empanelled, consist
ing of Manning Dickens, R. N Larner,
Frank Morgan, Harvey Pomeroy, Her
man Sense and Robert Girdwood At
nine o'clock the coroner and the jury
went and viewed the body and made
such examinations as they deemed nee
essary. No marks of any kind were
found upon the body, excepting where
the rope encircled the neck. From de-
ceased's pockets were taken 50 so in
nickels and dimes, two pants buttons,
a small account book, pocket knife,
bunch of keys, two lead pencils, red
handkerchief, and small sheet of
paper.
The coroner and jury then went to
the County Superintendent's office in
the Court House, where witnesses were
examined and evidence taken Robert
Schmidt was the first witness, and he
was followed by Mrs. Sell, wife of de-
ceased. The latter testified as to the
time Mr. Sell got up. He was in the
barn while she was getting breakfast.
She saw him walking around in En- ex-
cited manner, but she did not suspect
anything When breakfast was ready
she went out to call him and found him
hanging in the barn. Mrs. Sell told of
finding rope hanging in the sheep
stall the day previous, and suspected
that he put it up there with suicidal in
tent She took it down and burned it.
She showed the rope to her mother and
Aug. Belize before burning it. She
said he was despondent because he
could not collect in any money which
was due him, and he had remarked that
he would rather put bullet through
his head than continue such business.
Robert Schmidt was recalled and he
testified as to the position of the body.
He said he was hanging in the cow
stable; the rope was tied to scantling
from the floor to the ceiling. The par.
tition of the stall run up from the floor
about four feet which was held by the
scantling. The body was leaning
against the partition, the knees few
inches from the ground; legs were
stretched backwards and hands hang
ing straight down body was warm; it
was between 7:15 and 7:30.
John Merklein, Jr, testified to Mrs.
Sell telling him of discovering the body
and to his going to the barn, etc.
Aug. Belize, delivery man, testified,
among other things, to talking to Mr..
Sell about fifteen minutes before seven
o'clock Belize was then splitting wood
in the woodshed, and Sell was on the
outside.
An adjournment was then taken until
Friday morning at nine O'Clock, but
nothing new was brought out The
jury brought in a verdict of suicide.
Mr. Sell had operated butcher shop
in Wausau for many years, and had
gained the reputation of being shrewd,
reliable business man, and by close
attention to business had become COM
fortably well to do. He was forty-two
years of age, having been born in Ger
many. He had been resident of Wan
sau for sixteen years and was respected
by all who knew him. He leaves
wife and three children, Funeral took
place from the house on Sunday after.
noon, Rev. Schaer officiating.