The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-05-10
SHOT HIMSELF.
Union School JanitOr Takes His
Own Life.
Dependency Due to iii Health lmpels
Him 10 Send a Bullet Through
HIS Heart.

VI Iue Union SCHOOL DuIluIhS, OohhlI-
ted suicide at an early hour Saturday
morning by shooting himself through
the heart. His remains were found at
6 :15 a. m. by Mr.. Huettl, lying on the
back porch at the late residence OF the
deceased, on North Broad street, OPP
posite the Franklin school building.
The body was then cold except for a
little warmth in the region of the alb
domen. 1t was evident that Mr.. Patf
has seated himself at the top of the
steps and placed the muzzle of his re-
volver to his left breast and fired, fall
ing over backwards on the floor.
He had no coat or vest on, and his
two shirts were powder burned around
the bullet hole over the heart. The
revolver was lying near the left hand
of the deceased. 1t was a 3S-calibre
weapon and when found contained five
loaded cartridges and an empty shell
in the sixth chamber.
Mr.. Huettl at once notified the
police, who in turn notified Coroner
Kennedy. The latter made an investi-
cation and decided that suicide was
too evident to warrant an inquest be-
ing held unless it was the wish of the
relatives. He telephoned to Peter Paff
of Rapidan, father of the deceased and
an old and respected resident Of the
county, asking him to come to the
city.
Fl. G. Paff was forty-three years of
age. His wife died nine years ago,
leaving one child, daughter thirteen
years of age, who has been keeping
house for him. He had recently COM
pleted nice new house and was living
in comfort so far as surroundings
went. About a month ago he was Sc
lected to succeed Mr.. Vogel as janitor
of the Union school building, upon
Mr.. VS. appointment to place on the
police force. At Wednesday night s
meeting of the school board he was re-
elected unanimously at the salary that
has heretofore been paid.
The daughter of the deceased was
sleeping in the house at the time that
the tragedy on the back porch was be-
ing enacted, but was not awakened by
the noise. Neither did the nearest
| neighbors hear the shot fired. 1t is
supposed that Mr.. Paff arose at about
five o'clock, partially dressed himself,
and quickly went out of doors and
committed the deed. His daughter
did not learn of the affair until she
had been awakened and told by the
neighbors, and then her grief was pitt
full to see. She is left an orphan, with
neither brother nor sister, and general
sympathy is felt for her.
Miss Paff states that her father had
slept but little for number
of nights, and had complained of his
chest and heart troubling him.
Some of the teachers of the Union
school told him yesterday that he
ought to stop work for time, as he
was not able to do it, He had thought
that with rest which Saturday and
Sunday would give him he would be
all right again, and was anxious not
to lose his position.
A. Kimble, who keeps a store near
the Patf residence, states that he had
conversation with Mr.. Paff last eve
ming and that the deceased remarked
that he did not believe that he would
live until morning. Mr.. Kimble
did not pay much heed to the remark
a., at the time.
Mr.. Paff drew his check yesterday
for his April salary as janitor, and in
the evening settled with Officer Vogel
for the portion of the month that he
had served, Mr.. VogePs share being
S13. Mr.. Paff handed the balance of
the money over to his daughter to
meet household expenses. When his
clothing was searched this morning
he had no money on his person.
The deceased had been a resident of
Mankato for year, and previous to
that ran an elelator at Good Thunder.
He was popular with all, and his deed
this morning was general surprise. 1t
is thought that temporary insanity must
have been induced by ill health and
sleepless nights. He did not consult a
physician, but purchased a cough
remedy at drug store.
The deceased leaves two brothers,
Charles and Frank, in California
one. VIM, at Tacoma, Wash a sis
ter, Mrs. John Mention, at Lake Crys-
tai; and one, Miss Emma Paff, at
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The latter will
attend the funeral.
Mrs. Ole Olson, residing on North
Fourth street, near the Paff residence,
heard a shot at about 4 80 a. M,
but paid no attention to it.
Miss Elsie vogel, daughter of Off
Ger Vogel, slept. with Miss Paff- last
night, as she did occasionally, for they
are fast friends. She did not hear
the shot.
Peter Paff arrived from Rapidan
on the train and decided not to ask for
an inquest He states that he last saw
his son week ago Monday, and that
at that time he complained of having
a severe cold, but seemed cheerful.
The deceased had been sufferin G
from a bad cold that had settled on
his chest, and it seemed to grow worse.