Morning journal and courier., 1883-07-19
Tired of Living.
Conrad Lepper, a German Blacksmith, Kills Himself by a Pistol Shot in His HamA-Th0 Gumaa

Conrad Lepper, a German Blacksmith.
 Kills Himself by Pistol Shot in His
 HeHd-Ths Cause Unknown.
 Yesterday afternoon the dead body of German blacksmith named Conrad Lepper was conveyed to the dingy morgue under the City Hall. He was found dead in his room shortly after noon yesterday by his landlady, Mrs. Schmidt, of 51 State street. She had called him to dinner, but as he did not an- swer she entered the room and the body of the man lay on the bed. She immediately informed her boarders, who rushed up and found that the man was dead. The wound was in the right temple and the flesh was badly discolored, showing that the pistol had been held close to the head. As Coroner Bollman was absent on official business in Waterbury, Medical Examiner Dr. Moses O. White was summoned. Officers Bissell and Rice arrived about the same time. In the right hand of the dead man was found Q single barrel pistol, twenty-two inch caliber. A box of cartridges was found on the table, from which only one had been taken. Dr. White took the statements of Mrs. Schmidt and others in the house and examined the dead mans effects. On his body was found nearly thirty dollars in money and sealed letter addressed to tJulie Schulmaister, Anna strrse (stree) Wuazburg Bavaria" " Nothing was found to give any light upon the cause of the suicide. No inquest or autopsy will be held until Coroner Bollm an returns
 Conrad Lepper came to this country year ago, leaving wife and child behind him in Wurzburg, Germany. He was blacksmith by trade and has been employed in the black smithing department of the Consolidated road shops Since April he had boarded at 51 State street. For the past week or two he had acted strangely, being given to moody fits of depression. His frequent bursts of depression compelled Joseph Frederick, who was for some time his roommate, to leave him. He has been in the habit of giving from time to time money to his landlady to save, and it is believed that he has been sending money to his wife and that his ina bility to save money fast enough led to his moroseness and depression. Lately he had been drinking heavily, although he had not been intoxicated at any time. Yesterday morning Mrs. Schmidt called Lepper to breakfast, but he answered that he cared for nothing to eat. He asked for the money he had given her and she gave him thirty dol lars. After getting the money Lepper went out. He was not in his room at 10 o'clock. He probably came in shortly after, and after preparing the pistol lay down upon the bed and fired the fatal shot. Death was probably instantaneous. No re- port of the shot was heard. When found both arms were crossed over his breast and his features were composed. The left side of the face and the pillows were stained with blood. The deceased was an intelligent workman, but, as he could speak but little English, had few companions except Ger mans and with those he was very reserved. He was a member of Humboldt lodge, I. o. o. F. His death WAS g severe shock to his acquaintances as there seemed to be no reason why he should commit suicide.
 Coroner Bollman opened the letter found on the body. It was addressed to Dear Julia" and was s''When you receive this will not be in the land of the living. Near by you will find $50 in money" The body will be taken to tha nndertaker,s to-day.