The San Francisco call., 1901-11-25
BEATING DRIVES
HIM To INSANITY
Otto Hessman Ends His
Life After Thrashing
by A. Stenbiht.
Tragic Ending Of a Career
Marked by Martial Un-
happiness.

ALAMEDA, Nov N.-Driven to despair
by marital misfortunes and brooding over
a severe beating inflicted upon him by Ar
thur Stenbiht, whom he accused of alien
ating the affections of his wife, Otto Hess
man committed suicide early this morn
ing by inhaling Illuminating gas. His
body was discovered about IL a. m in a
bedroom in the Hessman Institute build
ing, 1912 Central avenue, bys E. E. Blake,
who went there for the purpose of in
specting a piano he intended to purchase.
Extending from a gas jet into the sui
cide's mouth was a section Of rubber tub
ing. So dense was the fatal gas in the
death chamber that it permeated the hall
way adjoining and partially stified Hess
mans faithful dog, which was lying out
side the bedroom door.
On a table near the body was found the
following note marked copy" and Rec d
Nov. o." addressed to Hessman by his
wife and signed by her:
Mr.. Otto Hessman-Dear Sir: I have rented
1901 Taylor avenue and the tenants are in
stalled Please do not call there, as they are
not like the "Hymans.' / have also rented
this lower fiat The tenant will move in next
Monday so you must find other quarters
Yours truly, CLARA 7. HESSMAN.
Suicide Leaves Note.
With the foregoing was also the follow
ing in Hessnan's handwriting:
That she borrowed money from friend of
mine under false pretenses and foolishly in
dorsed a note of $225; that about a month after
she tried to borrow another $3.50 from the same
had been advised, perhaps for eight years, to
look out for my wife or pack up and leave
her. but I believed her to be true
Hessman was last seen alive at Kriete's
saloon. Ninth street and Santa Clara
avenue, last night shortly before II
o'clock Friends who were with him then
assert that he was sober. but very de-
spondent because of the thrashing and
injuries he had received at the hands of
Arthur Stenbiht during the afternoon
When Hessman left Kriete's place 1t IS
presumed he retired to his room in the
HesSman Institute building, which for
merly belonged to him, and which he
decided to his wife some time ago. He had
lived there for years with his wife. since
she commenced suit for a divorce, several
weeks ago, Hessman has roomed there
alone. Mrs. HeSSman has roomed at 1OOl
Taylor avenue, which property stands also
in her name.
Hessman was employed by the South
ern Pacific Company in San Francisco as
a draughtsman. He came home early yes
terday afternoon, and acting on the ad-
vice of friends secured a short riding
whip and went to 1901 Taylor avenue to
see his wife and to horsewhip Stenbiht,
whom he accused as correspondent in the
cross-complaint filed in his wife's suit for
divorce When Hessman rang the bell
the door was opened by Stenbiht.
Hessman Accuses Stenbiht.
you are the man WHO wrecked my nap
piness and home shouted the excited
husband, as he lashed furiously at Stem
biht.
The latter being younger, stronger and
more active, grappled with Hessman and
knocked him down time and again. Neigh
bors interfered to stop the combat, but
before this was done Hessman's eyes were
blackened and closed and he was cut in
numerous places about the face. All these
details of the fight were learned by the
police to-day when they investigated the
case The authorities endeavored to To-
cate Stenbiht and Mrs. Hessman, but
were informed that they had gone to San
Francisco.
In her suit for divorce, Mrs. Hessman
charged her husband with extreme cruelty
and habituai intemperance, alleging that
he had threatened to kill her with knife
and pistol, and that he had called at sa-
looms and asked for her in order to humil-
late her. Hessman, in an answer, denied
all the foregoing charges and allegations,
and filed cross-complaint in which he
accused his wife of lavishing her affec-
tions upon Stenbiht.
The Hessmans have resided here about
twelve years. They had no children. Mrs.
Hessman conducts a private commercial
| school known as the Hessman Institute.
| HessTnan was a German, aged about so
years. Stenbiht is an architect.
Deputy Coroner James Fowler removed
Hessman's body to the local branch
morgue, where an inquest will be held.
n