4 Apr 1907: Fred von Pein, in Despondent Mood Takes Own Life - Well known Man for Many Years With the Starr Piano Company, Shot Himself on The Head Fatally. Joy of the Family is Turned to Gloom. Body Was Found in a Cow Shed in the Rear of the Home by Mrs. Von Pein - Family Had no Intimation: Fred N. von Pein, aged 52 years and one of the best known residents of this city, committed suicide this morning at 10 'clock in a cow shed in the rear of his home, 715 South J street. Mr. von Pein took his life by shooting himself with a revolver through the forehead. Wednesday night was a gay and happy one for the von Pein family, as young Fred von Pein, nephew of Fred N. von Pein and a son of Matt von Pein, city councilman-at-large, was untied in marriage to Miss Catherine Menze. Today the von Pein family was cast into the deepest gloom by the terrible tragedy. For the past two years, Mr. von Pein has been in ill health. On the first of this year, he resigned his position as foreman of the case department of the Starr Piano company and had taken no active part in business affairs since that time. It is thought that brooding over his health and and lack of work to occupy his time prompted him to commit the rash deed. Death Instantaneous: This morning when Mr. von Pein arose at an early hour he appeared to be in unusually good spirits and shortly after breakfast he started for the home of his son-in-law, George Fienning, 911 South Eighth street. He had promised to do some work for Mr. Fienning. Instead of going to the home of his son-in-law, Mr. von Pein went to the cow shed, which is in the rear of the home, and shot himself through the forehead, the bullet coming out of his ear after transversing the brain. Death was evidently instantaneous. The members of Mr. von Peins family did not hear the report of the revolver and the body was not discovered until Adolph Blickwedel telephoned to the von Pein home and asked to see Mr. von Pein on some business relating to the Bellview addition. Mrs. von Pein thought her husband might be in the cow shed or in the barn so she went to call him. As she entered the cow shed, she was shocked to find the body of her husband lying on the floor, arms outstretched and with a bloody wound in his forehead. She at once ran to the house where she reported her terrible discovery. Mrs. von Pein almost collapsed under the shock and Dr. S.C. Markley was summoned to attend her. She is reported to be bearing up under her sorrow splendidly. Had No Intimation: Matt von Pein, who resides near his brother's home, states that the family never had the slightest intimation that Mr. von Pein ever thought of ending his life. It had been noticed for some time he had been brooding over the causes assigned but the possibility of his committing suicide never entered the heads of any of the family. Fred von Pein had been in the employ of the Starr Piano company about thirty years at the time he resigned, January 1, and was regarded as a well to do man. Mr. von Pein owned several pieces of real estate in various parts of town and was interested in the Bellview addition. Mr. von Pein, together with Mr. Adolph Blickwedel, organized the South Side Improvement Association and was one of its most active members. The report of his death spread quickly and depressed his numerous friends, who always held him in high esteem. Besides his wife, Mr. von Pein leaves five (note: one child, Edna is not mentioned) children, Mrs. George Fienning, Mattie von Pein, Jennie von Pein and Alfred von Pein. He also leaves four brothers, John von Pein of Chicago; George von Pein of Indianapolis; Edward von Pein of Dayton and Mat von Pein of this city. (Richmond Palladium]

4 Apr 1907: Prominent Man Shoots Himself Through Head/Fred von Pein, a Leading Citizen, Suicide as Result of Worry/Industrial Leader/Well Known Piano Maker-Established Addition to South Side/Health Had Been Poor/Left No Word of His Reason-Deed was Committed in Barn-Revolver Used: By shooting himself through the head, Frederick von Pein, a leading German citizen ended his life about 10 o'clock this morning. Despondency was the only known reason. Mr. von Pein applied a revolver that was evidently purchased for the purpose, while cleaning a shed in the rear of his residence at Eighth and South J streets. Death must have been instantaneous. He was found shortly before noon by Mrs. von Pein, who wanted him to answer a telephone communication. He was then huddled where he had fallen from a wheelbarrow on which he probably planned self destruction. Mr. von Pein was 52 years of age. He was born in Germany, coming to America when but a year old. He grew to manhood in Cincinnati. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John von Pein, came to Richmond about ten years ago. Both died here. He is survived by his wife, Lena, four daughters and one son. The children are Mrs. Frances Fienning, Misses Mattie, Jennie and Edna, and Alfred. Councilman Matt von Pein is a brother. Three other brothers, John of Chicago, George of Indianapolis and Edward of Dayton also survive. Mr. von Pein was a member of Herman lodge, I.O.O.F. and of the South Side Improvement Association. He was identified with Reid Memorial United Presbyterian church. The funeral arrangements have not been completed. It is expected that services will be held Sunday afternoon. For two months, Mr. von Pein had been in a state of nervous unrest. He complained of stomach affections and for at least two days had been very melancholy. He did not intimate that he contemplated death, except on one occasion when he informed his son-in-law of his affairs. His suicide was a great shock to the hosts of friends and acquaintances, by whom he was held in high esteem. Mr. von Pein was generally recognized as one of the most progressive of the organization that has done so much for the south side. During the thirty years of his residence here, he was always identified with plans for improvement in the material welfare of the community. At his own heavy expense he laid out the addition opposite his home, constructing cement curbs, gutters and walks and otherwise offering inducements for the settlement of the locality. In many ways he contributed to the advancement of Richmond and his loss will be keenly felt by his fellow co-workers. For almost the entire period of his residence here he was a trusted and valued employee of Starr Piano company. He held one of the most responsible places in the manufacture of pianos and his office commend itself both to his employers and his fellow workers. Only last year did he sever his connection with the local factory. After a short sojourn in Buffalo, N.Y., he returned to Richmond and had been unable to work since, on account of his health. [The Evening News]

7 Apr 1907: The funeral of Fred von Pein took place Sunday afternoon at the home, South J street. Rev. S.J. Lyons officiated. The burial was in the Lutheran cemetery. The pall bearers were George von Pein of Indianapolis; John von Pein of Chicago; Edward von Pein of Dayton and Matt. von Pein of this city, brothers of the deceased, and William Kloecker and John Clawson. [The Evening News]