The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-19
BULLET ENDS LIFE
CHRIST It. CHRISTENSEN COMMITS
SUICIDE IN A FIT OF DE-
sPONDENCY.
PLACED PISTOL IN HIS MOUTH
He Kept u Saloon on Fifth street,
and Recent Domestic Trou-
bIas Caused Kim to
Drink Heavily.

ChrlSt T. christensen, a saloonkeeper,
living 1T SOS Minnesota street shot and
killed himself at his rooms about II 80
o'clock last night while in fit of des-
pondency brought on by family troubles
The story told by his wife revealed the
TACT that married life had not been Il
ped of roses fol than during the past
marred the bliss of what was once a
happy life. Only two weeks ago Chris
Jensen had trouble with his wife in the
restaurant run by her at 3701a Minnesota
street, which resulted in their arrest for
being disorderly. On this occasion he ac-
cused ner of being untrue to him, and in
order to show her that he was still mas
ter in the house fired three shots from
his revolver over her head through a
window in the kitchen
For year past he owned a saloon on
Fifth street, between Jackson and Sibley
streets, and about $50 clock last night
came home drunk. Mrs Christensen and
an old woman, Mary Doyle, who worked
in the restaurant, We're playing cards
when lie entered. They greeted him and
asked him to sit down and play with
them. He finally consented and they
played until II o'clock. During that time
a girl, who also worked in the res.au-
rant and lived with them, brought a can
of beer Christensen was apparently in
the best Of spirits and unusually good
natured. About II o'clock he retired, and
bis wife and the other two women also re-
tired in an adjoining room. Mrs. Chris
Jensen later went into his room and ask
ed him if she should blow out the light,
and he asked her what she intended to do
whether they should separate for good
CT not. He also intimated that as she
had already started divorce proceedings
against him she might go and see her
colored lawyer and have him draw Up
separation papers any way to suit herseI,
as ne wanted it settled.
She replied, as she had on several for
mer occasions, that any way was salts
factory to her, as she also wanted to
have the matter settled, and was tired of
enduring the life they had been living
for the past two years. They talked a
few moments. and she blew out his light.
after which she went into the next room
and laid herself down on the sofa.
Mrs. Christensen heard her husband
get up in few minutes, and, remember
ing the threats that he had made on
former occasions, that he would either
shoot her or himself, aroused the girl TO
go and call a policeman and at the same
time told the Doyle woman to get Up
and see what he was doing.
Made Deliberate Preparations.
Mrs Doyle went into his room aud
found him sitting by the sewing machine
writing. while in front Of him was
thirty-eight CALLER revolver. She asked
him to hand the weapon to her, but was
met with the response that she sho1ld
go to bed, as he would take care OF his
own business. He finished writing anu
placing the note in an envelope, got Up
and taking the revolver walked to the
"A
meant to put it away, followed him, and
was Mortified to him look In the
glass. and placing the weapon in his
mouth pull the trigger. A loud report
rang out and the next moment he fell
backwards on the floor dead. Mrs. Chris
Jensen heard the shot and came running
into the room. Blood trickled from Ets
mouth to the floor, forming pool. Or
fcer Swanson was attracted to the scene,
and notified Coroner A. w. Miller, Woo
viewed the remains and had them sent TO
the county morgue, where an autopsy
will be held this morning.
He was thirty years old ana was porn
in The northern part of Germany. lie
came to st. Paul twelve years ago and
for the past two years has been engaged
in the saloon business.
Mr.. and MRS Christensen were married
four years ago and had no children. He
had no relatives in this country and the
note which he left, requested that every
thing he had be left to his father III
Germany. TIE dead man was meniher
of the Sons of Hermann lodge and TIE
Knights OF Fidelity. He carried $i.G0o ~
Surance.
Mrs. Christensen says she will have
tbe bodv sent to his fathers home IN
Germany for burial.