Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-08-18
SHOCKING SUICIDEl
Letters Of the Deceased In Explanati IN Of
| his Purpose.
Was there q Woman in the Case.
The Deceased Denies IL,

Was there Woman in the Case.
The Deceased Denie. 1t.
This morning, between four and I'VE O'Clock,
a Ger man, named Henry Oentrich, who for the
pasteieht or ten years has been keeping restau-
rant on 11th street, west side, two three doors
south Of the avenue, committed suicide by
shooting himself through the head.
About eight O'Clock this morning, an init
mate friend Of his, Jullus Emmner, notioing
Oentrich's restaurant still unopened, and think.
ing something wrong. got i'll through a back
window, and on trying the door Of Oentrich's
bedroom, found 1t locked on the inside. He
then called two friends, Adam Ritter and
Henry Haag. and with . pair OF pincers they
unlock the door. Upon entering the room a
horrible eight presented itself. There lay
Oentrich on the bed dead, with the pillows and
upper portion Of the bed all covered with blood.
He was lying on his back, and had his arms in
perfectly natural position and almost at full
length, while in his right hand he held q Colts
revolver, all the barrels Of which were loaded
but one. His forefnger still renamed on the
trigger, and the end Of the barrel was clenched
firmly in the left hand. Both hands were
blacAened with powder. He had evidently
placed the muZzle Of the pistol In has mouth
and discharged the contents int his brain, as
the ball came ont through the top Of the head
Before lying down on the bed he divested him
only. and on table at his bedside was a glass
haif.full Of water and an unfinished cigar On
his Anreau were found three letters, addressed
to friends, giving directions as TO the disposition
OF his property, which shows that the act was
premeditated.
The deceased was thirty seven years of age,
and native OF Germany, but came to this
country about eighteen years ago, and was for
q number OF years barkeeper at Finkmann's
where he was always known q very honest
and upright man. He leaves about 800 in
al 40
bequeathes. after payment Of his debts, to his
sister IN Germany. The neighbors heard the
IeIor, Of 2 pistol this morning between and
O'Clock. Deceased had been drinking rather
freely OF late, and was for the past wsek yery
much depressed in spirits, either ON account
OF the dizziness Of business or bodily allment.
comb. bunch Vt keys, and a small wallet con.
tanning $3.50
The contents of the letter. found on the bu-
reau are as follows: One, addressed to a friend,
reads:
"DKAR EDWARD wish you would take
charge of my effects, and send them to Ger.
many. Mr.. Boyer knows where my sister
lives. Farewell. When all others believe that
Emmner's wife has been guilty Of imprudence,
you must not believe ii, 1 swear to YOU upon
my God and my Creator. My debts are about
or hs ne 9r r. sps
To which is attached the following "a A es6
bond you will find IN my bureau drawer, and
the gold. part with pain from this world
lwopld) 60 to court. 1t is hard 70 leave YOU.
Mr.. Buchly is my undertaken; Farewell.
al. OENTRICH."
Another letter addressed to Julius Emmner
reads as foilows -" Emmner, your wife is in
nocent. 1swear that by my Creator. The hair
cut off in fun. had a great mind to say
something TO you about your conduct yester.
II. OEsrRrcH."
Justice Harper, acting as coroner, held an
inquest on the body, the jury being composed
L. Payne, George w. Hinton, W. M Fisher.
Crias Hnrst N. q. Draper, Adam Ritter, John
Wolfe. Frame Benzer. A. Rice, Joshua Lloyd
and Aug. SeitZ.
Julius Emmnsr sworn.-Was an intimate
friend Of the deceased; had known him for is
years, and were together every day; deceased
ness hearing that the place of business of de.
ceased was not open, came and tried to get in
but the fouLd the door of the bed room of de.
ceased locked from the inside, when, in com.
pany with Adam Ritter and Henry Haae. he
turned the key with pair OF pincers, and in
that manner got into the room, where he found
Oentrich dead, and with pistol in his hand.
f. Drop sworn.-Has been a friend of de.
ceased for many years; always took care of tina
funds of deceased; deceased had now in bank
about 500 In bonds.
Or. Auncaster sworn.-Examined the body Of
deceased and found gunshot wound in the
head; the ball had entered the roof OF the mouth,
passed the centre and base OF the brain, and
came out at the top Of the head, rupturing, in
its course, the main arteries OF the brain,
death.
Mrs, Eliea1eh Emmner sworn.-Ha. known
deceased II years: neither she nor her hus ba nd
ever had any difficulty with the deceased: on
the contrary all had been intimate friends.
Deceased never was a married man, nor had
there ever been any difficulty between deceased
adam Rifter, sworn, deposed that Mr.. Emrn.
ner, finding deceased's house shut mp about
O'Clock, and thinking strange Of the circum-
stance, called upon him Iwitness) for assis-
with which the lock was picked, and then
they entered and found him lying as he now
does. Deceased had been somewhat intox-
icated lately.
John Barry, sworn.-Lives near by, and
awoke about five O'Clock. Went to STAR
press room for water, and just At that time
heard tbs report Of pistol, which seemed TO
be near.
James Lam. deposed that he got up about 6
O'Clock and opened his saloon door, About
ten minutes afterwards deceased passed to.
wards 18th street. walking rapidly, and with
q cane in his hand. He had white coat on
Mr.. Egler called witness attention to the party
and he was confident that 1t was deceased.
with the young man for several years Last
Saturday he drank very freely, and was somt
what intoxicated. This morning, between SIX
and eight O'Clock. while standing at the door of
Mr. Lawns saloon, saw deceased walking ra.
pidly up the avenue towards 18th street, and
expressed surprise at the speed he was walk.
ing.
Mr.. Barry recalled.-Was confident it could
not have been many minutes after o'clock
when he heard the report OF the pistol, although
1t was broad day
Hermdn H. Boyer sworn.-Was cousin of de.
ceased, and from Hanover, Germany. Had a
sister and a half brother at home. Deceased
came TO this country about sixteen years ago.
and has resided here all the time.
Henry Hqag deposed that about O'Clock was
called on by parties to go with them 70 de.
ceased's room; that the house was shut up and
something mnst be the matter. Went with
them, and after getting into the house found
him lying IN bed dead, with pistol in hand and
blood dry. Heard pistol about o'clock this
morning, and went out into the street, bu: saw
nothing.
Mr.. Hence deposed that last night he was in
company with deceased, when ne seemed pref.
ty sober and in good humOr; left him about
eleven o'clock, and this morning heard OF the
suicide, and on repairing to deceased house
found that he was dead and wore the same
pants that he had on when witness last saw
him. Aboot three weeks ago heard HIM ex-
press disposition to sell out and 90 West, but
don't know whether he had ever had any diff
fculty. Friday and Saturday he was q little
intoxicated. Remarked about that time that
he was tired OF this world; the people here
were too mean TO live amongst any longer.
1t. Noonan, Of the police, testified to going
with Mr. Emmner TO deceaseds room about
o'clock, where he found the body lying as it
was first discovered by the jury. Two letters
were on the bureau, and his watch was hang.
ing over the bed.
This closed the evidence in the case when