The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-10-30
"ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE"
C. j. Widricl. weary of breath"
stops it With a pistol shot.

C. j. Widrick. weary of breath"
stops it witk a pistol shot.
On Monday morning about 8 o'clock
there was no little excitement created
on our streets by the report, that a man
had committed suicide at Williams
restaurant. Within ten minutes after
the deed was done, REGISTER repor-
ter was on the ground where large
crowd had already gathered. He was
admitted to an upstairs room where
he found the lifeless body of C. J. Wild
rick. The body was lying on its back
on the floor beside the bed, with the
head toward the foot of the bed, the
limbs were Strengthened, the left hand
was lying upon the left side in very
natural position, while the right arm
was extended along the right side
The eyes were closed and the brows
were contracted with the look of pain
that almost always accompanies death
from a gun-shot wound. Near the feet
lay pearl-handled nickle-plated, 80
calibre revolver, while small hole in
the left temple and pool Of blood told
the horrible story.
No note of any kind was left by the
unfortunate man, giving reasons for
the deed, and the only explanation of
it that can be given must be drawn
from the following story of his recent
life which was learned from his wife
and other reliable parties: c. J. Wild
rick and wife came to Kansas from New
York, about three years ago and SET
tied on farm near Humboldt. They
remained there until about a year ago,
when Mr.. w. injured his right hand
in such a way that it had to be ampu-
tated, when they removed to Toronto,
where Mrs. w. kept millinery store.
About two months ago they came to
lola, and have since been living in a
house in the north part of town. A
week ago last Sunday they had some
domestic difficulty and he left her, and
during the week employed attorneys
to institute proceedings for divorce.
After leaving his home, he stayed at
different hotels about town, where he
was repeatedly searched out by his wife
who tried to get him to return to her.
Last Sunday forenoon he called at
Williams restaurant and ordered cup
of tea, complaining of severe head
ache. After dinner he took room
and remained in it until evening, when
he took supper and said he was feeling
better. He returned to his room for
the night, got up at the usual time,
but did not eat any breakfast, again
complaining of severe headache, and
soon returned to his room. About 8
o'clock his wife came to the restaurant
and asked to see him. Mr.. Williams
went to his room and knocked and, to
the question as to what was wanted
replied, 81 want to see you." Widrick
said he would be outas soon as he could
dress. Almost Immediately, while Mr..
Williams was still at the door, there
was the report of a pistol. Mr.. Will
Jams broke open the door at once, but
life was already extinct.
Such were the circumstances imme-
diately preceding and attending the
rash act. From consideration of them
It;;seems that domestic difficulties were
the main, If rot the only cause of the
suicide. AS TO the nature and origin |
Of those difficulties, there are many
stories afloat but as they do
not concern the public We refrain from
giving them currency. The wife of the
dead man seemed nearly frantic with
grief, and utterly alone as she is, with
out single friend, she says, nearer
than New York, she is very much to
be pitied.
In the absence of DIR. Fulton, Prof.
Iiarris acted rs coroner, and the jury,
ifter brief inquiry of Mr.. Williams
md Mrs. Widrick, returned a verdict
n accordance with the facts above de-
allied. In the vest pocket of the de-
81 sDpN erys I