New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-23
LOSSES DRIVE TO DEATH.
HER HOME MORTGAGED.
WdoJC of Elihu Roots Early Part
ner Takes Poison.
-BIaek and White

Mrs. Maria T. Kunzmann. forty-two years old.
widow Of Joseph Kunzmann. lawyer. who. ac-
cording to Coroner SchoIer. was at one time
a partner OF Elihu Root ex-Secretary OF War.
committed suicide in her home. No 500 West
End-ave.. yesterday. Financial reverses and
chronic melancholia are believed to have driven
her to the act. Mrs. Kunznann had been III
for about three years. asthma being ore OF her
principal troubles She had been under the care
of Dr. Julius A. stegmair. OF No. $50 West One
hundred and -sfxth-st-
Recently her illness had been more pronounced.
and she had been confined most Of the time 10
the house. In addition to her physical troubles.
Coroner Scholer. who says he got his informa-
ton from member OF the family. declares that
she had suffered mentally by reason Of financial
reverses.
Mrs Kunzmann told her daughter. Ethel. six
teen years old that she was tired Of living about
1O o'clock in the morning. A couple Of hours
later she went to her hoom on the second floor
OF the house. She was absent rather long
time. and her daughter became alarmed Accom-
panied by her younger sister Mabel. fourteen
years old. Ethel Kunzmann went 20 her mothers
room and knocked at the door.
There was no response, but groans could be
heard. Thoroughly frightened the young girls
called to the servants FOR aid Emma Horn and
Barbara Owen responded, and by the combined
efforts Of the four, the door Of the room was
forced open. Mrs. kUuzmaun was lying on a
lounge, unconscious, her lips scared by carboHc
acid. As possible Dr. StegTnalr was
summoned. but Mrs. Kunzmann was dead when
he arrived.
seven years ago Joseph Kunzmann died. leav-
ing his wife an estate which is said 70 have
been valued at 100000 one of the pieces Of
property he left TO hts widow was the house.
NO. S96 West End-aye. IN Whlcn sne HNed-
II is said that after her husbands death, on the
advice of friends in whose Judgment she had
confidence Mrs. Eunzmann speculdted TO some
extent Her speCulations, however, turned out
for the most part unfortunately one or her
Investments IS said to have been In United
States Steel stock.
Gradually her money disappeared It became
necessary at length 70 place mortgage on the
West End-ave house. This mortgage was fore
closed on January II. and Mrs. Kunzmann and
her daughters expected at any moment 70 be
forced to leave their home
This the last straw. is supposed 20 have
caused Mrs. Kunzmann to take the tai dose
OF poison Her troubles, growing greater year
nv wear had induced a melancholy that left her
unable to bear what she considered the greatest
that every day she expecting to receive
word from the who had purchased the
house that he wished to take possession.
Frank Kunzmann. brOther-in-law Of the dead
woman. said last night:
II Is true that Mrs Kunzmann lost money
nent that she had invested in United States Steel
stock or that Mr.. kunZmann's fortune reached
$500 coo is absurd and false. To my knowledge it
vras not over S0 90 Regarding the foreclosure Of
the mortgage the house, II was entirely
amlcable arrangement between William F. Have
never and Mrs Kunzmanu- Mr.. Havemeyer has
-. = s-farj ~ rha family for some wears Mrs
Kunzmann could have continued to live in the
West End-ave. house as long as she desired. Com
sure, has been the cause of Mrs. Kunzmann's
taking her He