The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-21
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART
W. C. Bernhardt, a Richmond Lawyer,
Kills Himself at the New Denison.
His Suicide Is Not Discovered Until Twelve or
Fifteen Hours After Ii Occurred-Dissipa- &
tien the Cause of the Insane Act.

The body of suicide, ". c. Bernhardt. of
Richmond, was found yesterday morning in a
room the New Denison House that had been
assigned him his arrival Saturday evening.
When be came he bore plainly the marks of
being at the close of q protracted spree. Dir.
Bernhardt had acquaintance In the hotel, and
after going to bed Saturday night troubled
by nervousness much that he sought the room
OF one Of them. Col. John A. Bridgand. This
was about IL o'clock, and he said on awakening
the Colonel that he wished to talk sons one,
as he could get no sleep. Colonel Bridgland
advised him TO return to his and he no
doubt would finally get rest He would be glad
to see him in the morning, when Bernhardt
would no doubt be refreshed. About o'clock
Sunday morning the two met again in the lobby
of the hotel when Be-nhardt appeared to be
cheerful. He was introduced to several gentle
men. and in conversation with them
showed no signs of his restlessnes of
the night before. An hour two later be re-
turned to his room, and about noon Colonel
Bridgland sent his card to Bernhardt with the
request to visit him. but the bell boy returned
saying that he either could not arouse the gen
sleman or he vas not in his room.
1t few minutes after this that the
chambermaio went into Bernhardss room to at
tend to her duties. She found him MP and
partially dressed, but around the room we're the
evidences of his having been sick. Completing
her work she left, and when part of the way
down the hall she heard q sound like that of
pistols explosion some distance away. Think
ing that it occurred in the alley she gave no fur
Their thought to it, nor was any inquiry made
for Bernhardt until late in the afternoon,
when Colonel Bridgland again sen. his card to
him. The bell boy reported that he was not in
his room. Yesterday morning, after inquiring
Of Dir. Bonnville, the clerk, if Bernhardt
had como down. the Colonel
quested a bell boy to go to his
room. and see If his acquaintance up For
the third time the message that he could not
be awakened. but the boy thought he was In the
room. The porter then went there and. looking
over the trapsom, saw Bernhardt lying on the
bed with hands folded across his breast. Two
or three persons. returning with the porter,
entered the room, pass key being used IN un-
locking the door, ard found Bernhardt dead.
He had on his pants. and undershirt, thrown
back from the chest. and which revealed an
ugly pistol-shot wound the heart The
balllstruck the apex of the heart. passed through
the body into the mattress AMI out again into
the floor. By his side lay a new Smith q WeS-
son revolver of 3S calibre, all the chamb be-
1nc ioa ed except one. On the stand was box
of cartridges which had been recently pnr-
chased for the news comes from Richmond that
Bernhardt, inst before leaving that city, Satur-
day night, for Indiana polls purchased them and
having premeditated suicide in coming here.
He left 10 papers, except a scrap taken from his
vest pocket, on which was written. This man
is smart enough to be a d-n fool"
Mr. Bernhardt was thirty-thres years of age
and went to Richmond about eight or nine years
ago. For a time he was deputy in the county
clerks Office there. and afterwards had a posi-
ton in the freight department in the Pan
handle Offices in Richmond. In the meantime he
studied law. and about five years married
the daughter of Louis D. Stubs. prominent as
an attorney in the city named and as Repub-
lican politician and member Of his partys State
central committee Until year ago Bernnardt
and his wife lived very happily, but he acquired
q habit for drink that caused their separation,
the wife taking their babe and returning 10 her
fathers house No other but his fond
for liquor led him to suicide. as it is said
that his law business could have been increased
had he attended to it properly. He was Of gem
tlemanly address, favorite III his social circle.
and a young man of considerable ability, while
there was everything at his command to make
home attractive. Bernhardts body was taken
to Richmond last evening.