The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-27
Every Indication That Young Rond-
thaler Had Carefully Planned to
Commit Suicide.
HIS FAMILY Is WELL KNOWN
REV. RONDTHALER, HIS FATHER,
FORMERLY AT TABERNACLE
Robert RondthaIer Travelled for =
Warm Friends I'm Indianapolis.

After careful premeditation, Robert Rond-
thaler son of the Rev. j. A Rondthaler,
formerly pastor OF the Tabernacle Presby-
terian Church of this city. committed sui
eide In a cornfield near Carmel, Ind,
early yesterday morning by shooting him.
self through the right temple with re-
volver. His body was discovered by q
hunter yesterday morning lying face down
in fence corner near the Eller bridge. four
miles east Of Carmel, and his cold hand
still grasped the weapon which had ended
his life.
Young Rordthaler was well known in In
dianapolis. having lived here with his par
ents before they removed TO Chicago. His
father is at present the pastor OF a promi-
nent Presbyterian church Of that city.
Robert Rondthaler was a travelling sales
man for the Sherwin- Williams Paint Com-
pany. OF Chicago. and while In this city
made his headquarters at the Grand Hotel.
where he was known as a genial young
man with many friends.
HIRED HORSE AND BUGGY.
On Wednesday night he hired horse and
buggy from Wambaugh's livery barn at
Broad Ripple, stating that he desired to
take a drive, and that was the last seen or
him alive. The horse was found on the
premises OF A. L. Pursell. at Mattsville,
early yesterday morning. and the livery
barn was notified at once.
No motive for the young mans suicide
can be imagined by his friends here. az
he was OF 5ovial disposition and had never
complained OF anything that would cause
him to worry. The body was identified by
papers which were found in his pockets by
Deputy Coroner +. c. Herschey. Of Carmel.
No note or letter OF explanation was found
on the person of the young man. and the
reason for his act Is mystery.
PRAISED EY EMPLOYERS.
Rondthaler was In Chicago last week at
tending a meeting OF the travelling men en-
ployed by the Sherwin- Williams Company.
Among all these statesmen he stood third In
sales and received q prize for his excellent
work, as well as an increase In salary.
When he came here several days ago he
was in the best Of spirits and spoke OF his
good fortune on his territory, telling his
friends of the treatment that had been ac-
corded him by his employers. He seemed
much encouraged and called on many OF his
young friends, speaking to them only in
the most satisfied .erms.
What caused him to commit suicide re-
mained a secret with himself. unless he
wrote to his parents. His father was last
night notified by telegraph and Will arrive
in Carmel to-day to take charge OF the re-
mains. Rondthaler was well known In the
city and had many friends. who were
shocked at the news OF his death. An last
night the different news centers were be-
sieged with questions as TO the truth OF the
report of his death and as to the probable
| cause.
HOME RELATIONS.
Rondthaler was unmarried and his homo
relations are said 10 have been Of the most
| pleasant sort and love affair Is even
limited at by his acquaintances and COM
panions. When he hired the livery rig at
Broad Ripple on Wednesday evening he
told Mr.. Wambaugh that he intended to
drive to Mottsville. wambaugh said Rond-
thaler came for the buggy alone and he
seemed to be in the best OF spirits. not In
the least detected or melancholy.
] At the Grand Eotel where Rcndthaler
was a well-known and favorite guest.
ton among the travelling men as to why an
apparently so prosperous young man should
Kill himself seemed the only thing that was
going on in the hotel lobby. Most Of his
| friends think he was suddenly seized with
a fit of insanity ard they refuse TO believe
| that he could have been In his right mind
| at the time he took his life. A mental
| breakdown seems the only reasonable ex-
PLANTATION that can now be advanced.