The Indianapolis journal., 1902-12-05
DEATH CALMLY PLANNED
FRANK MUMMENHOFF KILLED HIM.
SELF DELIBERATELY.
Business Reverses and Family
Troubles Caused DespOndency-
Body Found by a Son.

Despondent because of family and bust
ness troubles. Frank Mummenhoff, fifty
years old. who had been a well-known COM
mission merchant, committed suicide some
time Wednesday night or early Thursday
morning When found Mummenhof was
lying on a sofa with his throat cut. He
had been dead for several hours.
Mummenhoff had been drinking for sew
eral days, and had been living alone at his
home, 1407 Park avenue. His wife left him
several days ago and applied for divorce,
alleging cruel treatment. Tuesday papers
were served on him by constable and the
affairs of the firm were closed. The last
seen of him was Wednesday afternoon by
his son, Frank Mummenhoff.. who left home
when Mrs. Mummenhoff went away. The
son, thinking that his father was becoming
mentally unbalanced under the great
strain, expressed his fears to friends.
Among those to whom he talked was
Conrad Mueller, merchant on Massachu-
setts avenue. Young Mummenhof walked
into Mueller's store late Wednesday after
noon and said that he had not seen his
father for some time and asked what he
should do. Mueller said If the son would
wait until Thursday morning the two men
would go TO the home on Park avenue and
investigate. This agreeable to young
Mummenhoff, who said he would return TO
the store yesterday morning About 1880
Yesterday the two men went to the Num-
menhoff home on Park avenue ana tired 10
enter. The house was found locked Young
Mummenhoff tried TO break the shutters
but could not. Then Mueller forced kltch-
en- window and Frank Mummenhon
crawled through. The sight that met his
gaze in the kitchen was terrifying
BODY FOUND.
Streaks of blood on the table and walls
were found Mueller crawled in and the
two men searched the house They fol-
lowed the bloody trail through two rooms
into an alcove the north side of the
house, where they were Mortified to find
the cold, silent body of Frank Mummenhoff.
sr., lying on a sofa. Beside the sofa on the
carpet was a bowl which was half full OF
coagulated blood. This had come from
gaping wound in the left side of Mummen-
hoff's neck.
The evidence of self-destruction was
strong Word was sent 10 the police station
and Bicycle Policeman Morgan and Capt.
Hyland went to the place On table In
the kitchen were number or letters and
receipts and wine glass with sediment
yet hard in the bottom. Below the table
were little tracks of blood. This track led
the dining room. On the door, sills and
walls were the imprints of a bloody hand.
This led across the room to the alcove.
From the looks of the rooms through
which the man passed ii was evident that
he had deliberately planned his death.
Seated at the table in the kitchen looking
over letters and receipts which told of
business failure he had supped the wine
until he had become unsteady. Taking a
pruning knife in his hand he thrust the
point into the neck. penetrating the juguar
inc hfc ifo oh f,,r,o
menhoff had walked unsteadily from the
room through the dining room and into the
alcove room. where he deliberately COM
pleted pre- parations for death.
PLANNED HIS DEATH.
That the man had planned his death is
plain from two notes that he left. Captain
Hyland, in looking through the letters,
found a note saying that the funeral serv-
Ice must be private and that no flowers
must be used. Captain Hyland also found
the pruning knife used by Mummenhcff in
the kitchen.
Frank Mummenhoff. sr., was one Of the
st-known men in the city. About twenty
years ago he was connected with the
Fletcher e. Sharpe Bank. When that insti-
tuition failed Mummenhoff entered the COM
mission business, which was prosperous up
to the year 1895. His friends came to his
rescue in that trying period and started
| him in business again. This time the busi-
ness was known as the Western Produce
Company and Mummenhoff was president
and manager. The business was in good
shape until recently when IL was seen that
Mummenhoff was drinking. The men who
started Mummenhoff in business the last
| time took the matter in court and a re-
ceiver was asked for. Papers were served
| On him Monday. This. in addition to pa apers
being served on him on complaint of his
| wife, led Mummenhoff to take his life.
Mrs. Mummenhof recently left her home
| for that of her sister in another city. Num-
| menhof leaves two sons and three daugh-
ters. one of whom is married. He always
| took an active part in all German celebra-
| tions. He was prominently connected with
| the German House.