Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-02-24
ATTEM TED SUICIDE.
ED, WALTER MAKES 4 PROBA-
BLY, SUCCESSFUL At
TEMPT At SUI
eide.
FINANCIAL EMBARRASSMENT
TIE Ca USE.

announcement that Mr. Ed. Walter. the
proprietor of the Metropolitan saloon and
restaurant, had been found in his room at
Elmer's hotel, with u bullet in his brain,
and dying. AS soon as possible repre-
sentative of the TRIBUNE visited the unfOr.
tunate man, who was then lying on bed
in room across the hall from the one in
winch he was found, and to which he was
removed by the doctors. Walter was un-
conscious, except ar brief intervals, and
even in his lucid moments did not appear
to realize his condition. The wound was
in his right temple; the bail having glanced
back of the eyes, which were badly discOl
ored, and bulged almost out of the lids.
His appearance was hileous; blood over
his face and hands, and on his cOthes
the appearance of his person indicating. as
he afterwards stated, that he had laid in
his room f.r .early two days after the
shooting. TN visiting his room the scene
witnessed beggars description; on the bed
clothes. floor and wallis, everywhere, was
clnts of dried blood, Blood stains aud >pat-
terings of the crimson fluid The he'd was
smashed to splinters; all the furniture
turned topSy-turvy; the appearance Ut the
room showing that he had struggled terri
bly, after the deed was committed. OF the
Causes which led to the fatal step, the
fin ling of the body, aud other particulars
r n, foil 4
far as they can be learned:
For sometime past it WAS known that
Walter WAS much depressed. because of
the unsatisfactory condition of business
this coupled with the fact that his ex
penses were absurdly extrlvagant, and his
creditors urgently pressing their claims,
prrycd upon his mind; and seeing no way
of escaping from Or tiding over his emhar-
EASEMENTS, which threatened financial
ruin, it is probable that he in sheer des-
peration took the step, which, if it does
naming days of his life a blank, as it is
thought that the bullet severed the optic
nerves. and wholly destroyed the sight.
On Wednesday last one of his AIinneap-
oils creditors sent up an attorney to look
after their interests, with instructions, if
necessary to 81 cure the debt, to attach
Walters property. Other creditors got
wind of the affair. and several claims were
given to the attorneys for immediate settle
ment. Walter was mortified of the condi-
linn of affairs, and on his claiming TO be
81. Paul, to raise money To meet his liza
biitieS, it was arranged that lie should go
to that city on Thursday morning. for that
purpose. He made all arrangements to
go, and early ia the morning bought /,
hand satchel and revolver at Peurce' store.
He went to the depot, but just before the
train started, crossed the street to the
hotel. and was not again seen until found
in his room On Saturday. 1t Was thought
by many that he had gone on the train, but
II telegram was received from party on
that Walter Was hot on board The cred.
itors kept quiet and watched for his ap.
pearance. but he neither showed himself
nor could any information be obtained as
to his whereabouts. 1t was thought he
was hiding, or had gone off across the
country; and on his not appearing Friday
evening, it Was decided to proceed, and
| accordingly preparations were made, and
early Saturday morning the establishment,
Was closed by the sheriff; about the same
time, or shortly after, Walter was found.
Walter was found early Saturday morn
ing by Albert Geng, his confidential clerk
Geng positively asserts that he had nc
knowledge of his employers whereabouts
lie tried his bedroom door Thursday, hut
could hear nothing. and no one about the
hotel, not even the parties who occupied
the adjoining room, either heard th- report
On Saturday Gen"'s suspicion was aroused
and he went to- the door of Walters room
knocked two or three times. and after a
while Walter answered, and asked, "wlc
is there?" He was told to open the door,
and replied that he would, ''as soon as llt
could find some matches, as it was dark '
He then called to Geng to "come arount
the other way" These answers, as II was
broad day light, and hut one door to til,
room, confirmed the suspicious that some
thing Was wrong. and the door was imme
li,lely broken open; Walters being f3un,
lying amid the broken furniture, ON IN,
mattress, which was down on the floor
1t was evident, a he is u very heavy man
that either his violent i0ssings and strug
giles wrrnche.l the bedstcad TO pieces q
that he fell across it after the shot wa
fired, his weight crushing it. The bureal
and a trunk were partly shovel against til
door; this may have been done intention
ally by him. or have been done as h
writled and houndcred about during TIL
long interval Which elapsed before he wa
found
The would he suici le. during short in
tervals talks of the affair, and is fully cor
scious of his actions up to the time @
shooting He stated in | REF that he full
intended going ON the train, and that |,
purchased the revolver to leave with til
boys in charge of his premises On gon
to his room he says he fell asleep, and ,i
moi awake until nearly noon, long afte
train time, and felt disappointed and anyr
that he had missed going. LIE kept to hi
room. and hid in the Garner when he hear
some one probably Albert Geng-,,t Ill
door. Sometimes he claims to have fire
the shot IN fun, again says that 1t was !,
accident. and then again states that he wa
angry, and thought they were all aft.
him. II is very evident, however, that
was deliberate effort at self destruc,io,
and that The attempt was made Thursrla
or Friday. The following note, write
ON II card, afterwards torn up and threw
into IL corner of his room, reads about |,
, follows. when the fragments are place
properly Together
, L ~