Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-02-28
KILLED HIMSELF.
Gunder r. Lee Ends His Life With
q Revolver.

Gunder T. Lee Ends His Life With
Revolver.
Gunder T. Lee, junior member Of the
firm Of Lee Bros. Of this city, attended
the masquerade Tuesday evening and
was one of the most conspicuous figures
on the floor. He remained until {
o'clock Wednesday morning. participat.
Ing in the last dance. Going home he
did not retire, and about o'clock he
went into the store, wrote sad letter to
his brother Tollif, procured pistol and
shot himself In the head. The unfor-
tunate man lived till noon of wednes-
day. The cause of Mr.. Lees untimely
and tragic death may be ascertained
from the testimony adduced at the coro-
ner's inquest.
Deceased was one of the brightest and
most highly respected business men OF
this city, and the firm of Lee Bros.
stands high in financial circles, having a
large and profitable trade. The family
Is nearly heart-broken over the affair,
and those who knew the deceased are no
less panied.
Funeral services were held at the late
residence of the deceased yesterday
morning, Rev. Mr.. Converse officiating,
and large number of friends being
present. At the close of the service the
body, enclosed in q neat casket, was
borne to the depot by twelve pail bearers,
followed by nearly the entire population
of the town. T. T. Lee, elder brother OF
the deceased, accompanied the remains
to Dell Rapids, D. r., the home Of the
father and another brother of the de-
ceased, where they will be laid away.
CoRoNER's INQUEST.
A coroner's inquest was held Thurs
day morning, Judge Noble acting as
coroner and District Attorney Morgan
conducting the examination. Frank
Converse, B. J. Mcintyre and H. c.
Hansbrough composed the jury.
DR.. Camp testified that he knew the
deceased; last saw him alive at 1890
Wednesday, at which hour he died.
Witness was called about 8:l5 Wednes-
day morning and found G. T. Lee lying
on his left side in the rear part of Lee
Bros store suffering from pistol wound
In the little posterior and superior tenn
pie bone; brain substance protruded
from the wound. Over the right eye
was slight ecchymosis (settling Of
bloody. Tho doctors conclusion, with
out probing, was that the ball passed
anterior, inferior and latterly, lodging
over the superior orbital arch. Witness
recognized the pistol which he found
near the body. The powder marks indi-
Gated that the weapon was in contact
with the forehead when fired.
T. 7. Lee, brother Of the deceased, tes-
tilted that his brother came home from
tho masquerade about s q. m. and came
into his (witncss') bed room; heard his
brother and witness sister-in-law, Miss
Thronson, holding brief conversation In
the sitting room, and they afterward
went to the kitchen where they remained
talking for about one hour and half.
Hoard his brother 90 down stairs and
could hear him walking around In the
store. After some time witness heard
report or noise and spoke to his wife
about 1t. In five minutes heard another
and similar report. Got up and while
dressing heard some one hammering at
the door. Went down stairs and found
the front door locked. Unlocked it and
went in; saw his brother lying on the
floor; saw revolver near him; picked it
up and saw that one chamber was empty;
laid the pistol on barrel; the back door
was bolted inside; found two or three
empty shells on the floor. Witness and
his brother were on the best of terms.
Found letter on the desk addressed to
him in the Norwegian language, and put
1t in his pocket.
Sheriff Wagness being called translat-
ed the letter as follows:
Dear Iollif: Take me and bring me
to South Dakota after my death. Tell
my father that die death for which
am not to blame. Literally, II am do
ing the right thing.") That could not
avoid. Fun is fun. I am bewildered.
There is only one thing that lives that is
beloved, and that, dear brothers and
sisters, forget me, for l have not lived
any but shadow since 1 was born.
on me this morning hour. 1t will then
be my last time here in this world; and,
G.iterally, III think more Of you."1 I
thank you for all the good you have be-
slowed on me. cannot live any longer.
My time Is near. Give my regards to
all friends and acquaintances. My last
writing to you all. God help me here
after.
On the envelope were the following
words: "Good bye. T. T. Leo. Sec
this" The letter was not signed OF dat
ed, but Mr.. Lee said 1t was his brothers
writing,
Peter Forslof, who lives at Midway,
testified that he went to Lee Bros store
to get some butter about five minutes
past 8 and found the door locked. He
raped and T. T. Lee came down stairs
and unlocked the door; saw G. T. Lee
on the floor; Mrs. T. T. Lee next came
into the store. His testimony in regard
to the revolver, etc., was substantially
the same as the previous witness.
Austin Linn testified that he went to
the store, he thought about s:l5, and
tried the back door; it was locked, and
T. T. Lee opened 1t. Mr.. Lee was in
tears, and witness seeing G. T. Lee on
the floor asked the cause. He got no
definite answer, but at the request Of Mr..
Lee went for doctor. Witness didn't
see the revolver.
At the afternoon session Of the coro-
ner's jury letters known to have been