The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-08-02
BULLET
THROUGH HIS HEAD
Christopher Hoffman Tries
to End His Life.
CAUSE FOR ACT NOT KNOWN
Used Revolver in His At
tempt to Die.
Wen Known Aged Man Makes I'm
cessful Attempt to End His Troub-
leslie is Not Yet Out of Danger.

Christopher Hoffman, an aged Ger
man shoemaker, who for a number of
years has been employed with the
John Stoll Shoe company attempted to
commit suicide. Monday evening by
shooting himself in the neck with a
IS calibre revolver. The ball entered
the neck near the base of the tongue
and was DETECTED, coming out at the
bridge Of the nose n little above the
line of Lhe eyes. Mr.. Hoffman was
taken to the Central Emergency hos
pital whore his wound was dressed and
he was then taken to his home on
Mark street near Greenwood.
Those who know Mr.. Hoffman and
his family best are at a loss to explain
the cause for the rash act. They state
that during the evening he seemed in
excellent spirits and was joking with
his neighbors and friends, giving no
sign of what he was considering. 1t
is reported that he had some words
with his son about money, during the
evening, but the controversy was very
mild.
The wife and son, Jacob, who re-
sides at the home, prepared for bed
and after they had gone up stairs, Mr.
Hoffman closed and locked the door,
He then went to the back yard and
seated himself upon the back step and
in a short time a revolver shot was
heard. The neighbors and members of
the family were aroused and upon in
vestigatipn II was foud that Mr.. Hoff-
man had shot himself. He was found
lying on the steps where he had made
the attempt at suicide, with blood
flowing freely from the wounds in his
neck ami forehead. Six physicians
were at once called and 1t was deter
mined to take him to the hospital.
hack was called and the injured man
was conveyed to the Central EmeT.
gency hospita lwhere his wound were
dressed by Drs. j. b. Taylor and Her
man Rhu. Mrs. Hoffman was so
wrought up over the affair
that she refused to allow him to re-
main in the hospital and after the sur
geons had completed their work, Mr'
Hoffman was conveyed to his home
Monday night, he rested quite COM
fortably and Tuesday morning ne
showed signs of Improvement.
The cause of the rash act Is not
known and II will probably remain
mystery unless Mr.. Hoffman chooses
to disclose II. The family was known
as a very quiet and peaceable one ana
neighbors state that there was never
no evidence of discord. Mr. Hotfman
since the shooting has been unable to
sneak a word, the base of the tongue
having oeen torn loose by the bullet
In passing through the throat. The
throat and neck are badly swollen the
skin is powder burned and the lace 10
swollen and discolored.
Mr. Hoffman was a native or GER
many. He came to this country when
a Young man and for number OF
yeors has made his home In Marion
For the past nine years he has peen
omnloye1 as repair man with the Stoii
chos comnany, Three months ago ne
ouit his nosition with this firm ana
buiIt n shop for himself, adjoining ms
home ON Mark street. has been pusy
all Of the time since opening the shop
ond n g not thought financiai az
fairs entered into the cause tor MS
rash act. NJ
phvsiciaps in attendance upon MT
Herman stated today that his conui-
,ior is favorable. The wound thouBI,
q ,,arv had one Is not necessarily iata.
40 the bullet did not enter the crahla,
cavity, though 1t missed II oh'S s''''''
fraction 1f an inch' , ,,or
His recovery depends largely upo,
whether .,r not the wound Is ihleS'eu
II there Is infection, 1t Will deVeiope
within twenty-four hours or thirty-s 81,
hours and win be extremely ulihcui'
to control.