Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-13
SAD TRAGEDY.
stdIpE OF AWELL.XSOWI BiykER,
whitman &. BesteT shoots HIMSELF
Fatally this morning.
The Cause Alteration Of Wind. brought
ON by Physical Indispositi0n.

Mr.. whitman c. Bestor, partner in the
banking firm of Messrs. Riggs & Co., residing
on street, between 18th and 18th streets fatally
shot himself about O'Clock this morning at his
residence, and died about two hours aftervards
At about seven O'Clock this morning his wife
VINO had already arisen and who was In an ad-
Joining room, was startled at hearing a pistol
shot and the fall as III of a body in The nex,
apartment, front room on the second foor
and hastily entering the room was horriued h.
nno her worst suspicious realized. On the floor
moaning and unconscious, lay her husband,
clsd only in his night clothes, with q CHASTITY
wound behind the left ear, from which the life
blood was ebbing In his right hand he clutched
the weapon with which he had committed the
terrible deed-a smail-sized Colts revolver,
with one chamber empty. He mad evidently
ired the fatal shot with coolneS and
cooperation, and after putting on his under
and there made careful examination OF the
revolver, and selected the exact locality OF the
cTaninm into which to discharge IL in order to
produce, if not instant ,leath. az least a mortal
wound. He evidently ted the fatal shot while
standing before the glass, as blood was found on
The table beneath IL, and must have used his
Au0ti er revolver, of a larger size, was found
'ytDg on the table. As shaving materials were
i,uhd on the table 1t - supposed that he had
irst intended 70 shave himself, but afterwards
changed his mind.
As soon az Mrs. Bestor discovered the body of
her husband she raised an alarm, and Or. Chas
q. Maxwell was at once sent for and subse.
quently DTs. Lindsey and Barnes. Thev at
once pronounced the wound mortal, and agreed
that the unfortunate man was beyond the reach
OF medlcal or surgical skill, the ball having
penetrated far into the brain. tie remained IN
An unconscious condition until about half-past
nine O'Clock, when he died.
The deceased, who Was about ffty-one wears
of age, had suffered for some time past with
dyspepsia which superinduced an acute gastric
CONDITION. OF the stomach, and consequently a
low state of the system, which is almost inva-
aCCQmnanIed ~ al a Ssf.a
or meloncholia. Mr.. Bestor had been a victim
OF the latter for some months past, and as late
as yesterday remarked to Mr.. George w. Riggs
with whom he was associated in business, that
he could not sleep any more at night, and that
he sometimes feared that his reason would be
affected. Mr.. Riggs made light of his fears and
told him he over-worked himself in the bank
He then invited him to 90 out with him 10 his
farm and spend a few days in recreation as he
believed It would do him much good. He also
advised him TO take bromide Of potassium to
induce seeep.
Last night while spending the evening in the
parlor with his family he appeared unusually
depressed, and for some time refused TO retire
at the usual hour For several months past his
family have suffered much anxiety in conse-
quence of his ill-health, but they were never
seriously apprehensive that he would do
violence either TO them or to himself. Doctor
Maxwell remarked this morning on being
called 10 attend the dying man that the latter
could not be held responsible for the rash act:
mat 1t was the result OF the diseased from
which he had so long suffered and that this
was by no means the first case of the kind.
The deceased was happy in his domestic life,
and prosperous in his business relations Aside
from the interest which he owned in the bank
ing institution of Riggs * Co., he owned an es-
tate valued at from $40 goo to so, 900. He was
"a temperate man, and very fond of his home
and family, the latter consisting of a wife aud
four children: son who is employed at Riggs
" Co.'S bank, and three daughters. His father,
a hale and vigorous gentleman OF elghty-four
years Of age, formerly cashier Of the Patriotic
Bank, resided with him at his residence on
street
Mr.. Bestor first became associated with Mr..
Riggs as his clerk in 1857, when the former was
pension agent IN this city, under President
Buchanan. AIr. Riggs saws his accounts were
kept accurately, and with exacting and conscl-
entious care. Upon being relieved from Official
position, Mr.. Riggs installed him as a clerk in
the bank, and on account of his aptitude for
the banking business and his excellent business
qualities, be was latterly given an interest in
the nrm, with which he was associated at the
time OF his death. He was treasurer OF the
washington Gas company, and kept his ac-
counts in manner which ELECTED the approba-
ton of the directors Financially, even outside
OF his business, he had good Investments. ami
thus no business complications could have in
duced the taking of his life.
1t Is expected the funeral will take place on
Sunday next.
The news of his sudden taking of created
quite an excitement among his friends, and a
large number OF persons called at the bank 70
learn the particulars, as the easy temper OF the
deceased, and his genial, correct habits led
them 10 discredit the rumor until it was too
painfully confirmed. The coroner was mott
ted to hold an inquest. but upon hearing
me statements OF the family and physicians, did
not deem it necessary.