Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-07
KILLS SELF IN
HEAT OF ANGER
HYPNOTIST COMMITS SUICIDE
AFTER FAMILY QUARREL
FINDS WIFE's ROOM LOCKED AND
FIRES FATAL SHOT
Little Son Pleads in Vain with Father
to Wake Up and Love
Him Once
More

Enraged because of his failure to
force an entrance to the room occupied
by his wife, whom he intended to kill,
Prof William Rosskopt, 35 years old,
a hypnotist, placed the muzzle of an
automatic pistol against his breast and
sent bullet through his heart at his
home at $40 West Fifty-seventh street
shortly before II o'clock yesterday
morning.
Rosskopt and his wife quarreled fire.
quently recently, say the officers who
investigated the matter, and week
ago, following violent alteration, he
fired a shot at her while they were
in their bedroom. The bullet whizzed
near her head and buried itself in the
wall.
At o'clock Saturday night Rosskopt,
his wife, their 6-year-old son and
Young man who was employed by
Rosskopt began the evening meal.
While at the table Roskopt and his
wife began to quarrel, presumably
about mortgage which they had given
on their home. When the meal was
finished the couple continued their
dispute, and did not cease their bicker-
ing until midnight.
Angered at Wife
Rosskopt was so angered at his wife
that he refused to stay in the same
room with her, and after getting MS
pistol and a pillow entered another
room and went to bed with his young
son.
Shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday
morning Rosskopt arose and dressed,
not aWaking the child. He then went
to the room occupied by his wife ana
attempted to enter. The door was
locked and he was unable to get ln
He then returned to his room and pro-
cured his pistol. With the weapon in
his hand he again went to the door
OF his Wife's room and demanded ad-
mittance. Mrs. Rosskopt refused to
open the door and told him to go
away and allow her to sleep.
Rosskopt then threw his weight
against the door and attempted to force
it open. After making several futile
attempts he called to his wife and told
her that if she did not open the door
by the time he counted three she would
be sorry for it the rest of her life.
BY this time the young man, who
acted as subject for Rosskopt during
the entertainments given by the latter,
entered the room where Rosskopt was
standing Rosskopt had just counted
three and before the young fellow
could interfere placed the pistol to his
breast and fired.
Little Son Awakened
The report of the pistol awoke the
son of the dying man, and the little
fellow rushed into the room and
pleaded with his father to get up and
love him. Mrs. Rosskopt then knew
that something was wrong, and she
unlocked her door and hurried to the
side of her husband. Just as she
reached his side he gave gasp and
died.
Mrs. Rosskopt notified the University
police station, and Patrolmen Shrelner
and johnson were detailed to make an
investigation. The officers learned that
Rosskopt who earned his living by
giving hypnotic entertainments in the
various towns in Southern California,
was of a peculiar temperament and
frequently quarreled with his wife
without cause.
Mrs Rosskopt told the policemen
that her husband had returned from
Santa Barbara several weeks ago ana
had been worried because of f1nanclal
troubles. She said that he started a
violent quarrel a week ago and, while
enrag ged at her, seized his automatic
pistol and fired at her. She crouched
down lust as he pulled the trigger and
the bullet crashed into the wall near
her.
The body of Rosskopt was removed
to the undertaking establishment or
Bresee Bros, and the coroner probably
will sign a certificate of suicide With
out holding an inquest.