The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-22


| his coat pocket unloaded It, and returned
1t to the coat. putting the cartridges in his
grip, where his own revolver was.
About o'clock yesterday morning Hof-
meister and Ackley awoke and received
some friends. among them George B. Teas
dale. an intimate associate. He appeared to
be in good spirits. and while arranging his
toilet gave directions to Teasdale to 60 to
the Office Of the Legion of Honor, room 60
IN the Fullerton building. and arrange his
private papers. preparatory to turning over
the office to mis- successor. He made an ap-
pointment to meet Teasdale in the hotel
cafe an hour later.
While Hofmeister was arranging his
toilet. Ackley went to the bathroom. A few
moments later Ackley heard a shot, and,
returning to the bedroom, saw Hofmeister
lying on the bed, bullet hole in his right
temple. and Ackley's revolver in bis hand,
he was alive, but unconscious. Ackley noti-
hed the office. and the hotel physician was
summoned but Hofmeister died before he
arrived. The Coroner was notified and the
body was taken to the Wagner Undertake
ing Company's rooms on Olive street The
police took charge Of the dead mans eff
fects, including the three sealed and ad-
dressed letters
Friends Greatly Shocked.
The news Of Hofmeister's suicide. follow
ing so closely the sensational scenes at the
meeting the previous night. caused a sensa-
ton among members Of the Legion of Honor
His friends were greatly shocked, and even
those who had opposed him SO bitterly
were deeply affected. The offices in the
Fullerton building were thronged through
out the day by members who dropped in to
discuss the tragedy. On the heels of the
news of his suicide came the report that
his accounts were not correct, and stories
were afloat to the effect that Hofmeister
had lived beyond his income and that his
habits were too extravagant for a man
with an annual salary Of $500. These re-
ports were denied by his friends; but were
as freely circulated by other members.
r. ]. T. White. who succeeded Hofmeister
as supreme recorder. said that SO far as
he knew Hofmeister's accounts were per
fectly correct.
THE supreme recorder handles no cash."
he said. 'All the funds received by him
from subordinate councils are in checks,
and turned over by him to the treasurer.
who deposits them in bank. No funds can
be drawn out Of the bank except by check,
and the check must bear the Endorsement
of the chancellor, treasurer and recorder.
Mr.. Hofmeister's accounts were examined
ten days ago and certified to be correct by
the Auditing Committee, and this report
was approved at last nights meeting
Mr.. White said he was not prepared to
say whether the Auditing Committee
would, in view of the fact Of Hofmeister's
suicide and the rumors about his accounts,
make another investigation Of his books
Hofmeisters enemies in the Supreme
Council charged that the administration OF
the Office last year was extrayagant. Mr..
White declared that this charge was no
reflection on Hcfmeister personally, as the
expenses were legitimate and were author
lied by the Executive Committee and ap-
proved by 1t. W. P. Lightholder, a MEM
L
would refute this charge. There Is 81 2,2OO
in the general fund.-" he said. ''just about
twice the amount for the previous year,
and about $ee. 600 in the relief fund All OF
this is in the Mechanics National Bank.
Hofmeisters records and accounts are as
straight as string"
Hofmeister was 40 years old. He lived at
No. 1922 Delmar avenue up to the time his
wife went to New York. He had been
married twice. He was divorced seven
years ago from his first wife. who has re-
married and lives in this city with their
two daughters. In 1896 he married q widow,
Mrs. Peters, who was from New York 1t
Is said that Mrs. Hofmeister wanted her
husband to relinquish the Office he held
and go East, but that he refused, and this
caused domestic disagreements. About
three weeks ago Mrs. Hofmeister went to
New York to visit her sister. Mrs. Samuel
Moffatt. who IS seriously Ill. Last night
oispatcn 10 Inc fsepuohc from new hoIA
said she had departed for this city and will
arrive here this evening.
Hofmeister's mother lives at No. 1721
Oregon avenue. A married sister, Mrs. H.
A. Hubbard, lives in Greenville. Ill. She
arrived here last night.
The funersl will take place Friday. ac-
cording to the undertaken who has the ar
rangements In charge. It will be under the
auspices of the Legion of Honor. and his
associates in the Supreme Council will be
pallbearers.