Year: 1867

From the ST. Louis Rtpubltcan, Dec rs.


On the evening of Thursday, the 26th, the
most bloody tragedy ever enacted in Belleville,
Illinois, was perpetrated in the upper story of
the Reutchler House, by man named Jacob
Schopp, who, after cutting fearful cash with a
kuiie in the abdomen of his wife, attempted his
own lie with the same weapon, by staoblng
renee took place a little before o'clock.


II seems that Schopp had been absent from
home several months, part OF which time
he had been spending in ST. Louis and part in
New Orleans, and that for a long time prior to
his departure his dissolute habits and perverse
disposition had been the cause OF much inteli-
city at home. II is said that besides cruelty
ill.treating his wife, who is small and delicate
woman, he has been in the habit OF threatening
her life so often, that she concluded finally TO
seek legal separation from MIN. Therefore, az
the last term of the Circuit Court she applied
tor and obtained O divorce from her marriage
bond on the grounds of severe and repeated
cruelty. Personal service was had upon her
hus band, but he inteTposed no defense, and,
upOn.trIal, an overwhelming case was made out
against him,


Since the granting of the divorce it is said
that he has been seen lurking about Belleville,
moody aud suen. Sometimes he would ven-
tute into the building in which his divorced wife
and children occupied a tenement room. FIRE.
qoently he would partially ascend the stairs as
il golpg to her room, but upon being observed
Nv any other of the inmates, he would imme-
diately retrace his steps and leave the building,
It is not positively known that he has ever
visited his wife since her divorce, until the
evening of Thursday last when he suddenly
broke in upon her while she was preparing the
evening meal TOR herself and little ones. She
was alone in her room at the time, two of her
children being in neighbor's room on the same
floor. Immediately an alteration was begun
by his making violent demand upon his wife
for 5000, which he alleged she had.


Becoming frightened, she attempted to leave
the room, but was prevented by her inturiated
husband, who, at that moment probably, in
fcted upon her the wound OF which, the medI'
col gentlemen think, she will surely die. The
screams of the wounded woman brought out her
next-door neiehbor, who terrified, fled down
stairs into the street calling for help. One Of
the city officials ran up 'stairs, and fouut the
wounded woman stand on the landing near her
own door, with her youngest chtd, about one
year old, in her arms. Being in an excited and
iaintibg condition. she was taken into the next
apartment and medical attendance at once pro-
cured, when it was found that instead of being
merely bruised as she supposed, by being struck
with pistol, her bowels were actually protrud-
ing from murderous-looking cash in the aodo-
men, and that the nature OF the wound was
such as to preclude almost all hope OF her re-
covery. Her iendish assallant, we will
not dignity him by the name of husband,
was found stretched out upon two chairs in
the room where, but few minutes before, he
seemed stupe6ed. and made no response when
questioned about the deed he had done. His
coat was of, and upon trying TO hit him it


became at once apparent that he, too, was
wounded. Two small pools OF blood were found


upon the floor near where he was reclining, and
his shirt aud other clothing were soaked in


blood. A pallet was then prepared upon which
he was laid, and he was observed to be sinking


very fast from the efect OF five or six ugly stabs
around and upon his LETT breast. But very little
sympathy was manifested for him, and he
received no attention from the doctors until he


was removed from the room IN which he lay to
| the Engine House, yesterday forenoon, on a


stretcher, by order of the authorities. He may


now, 1t is thought recover, although his wife


may and probably will die,


The relatives of the wOuld-be murderer and


suicide, and also those of his unfortunate wife,


are deeply distressed at the occurrence, and


none seem to desire his recovery, or indeed TO
! care whether he lives or dies. Mrs. Schopp has
! experienced much SUFFERING, and may die from
! Inflammation and mortidcatioDI soon, in view
! of which fact her dying declarations were To
! have been taken yesterday, and her boy, bright


lad twelve Years old, has been sent for from this


city, where for some time past he has been al
! school