Evening journal., 1889-05-31
USED TWO PISTOLS.
A Military Man Takes His
Own Life.
PROBABLY SUICIDAL MANIA.

Capt. C. Henry witthaus Returns HON,
from the Head of His Company in tn,
Memorial Day Parade and Commit
Suicide.
NEW YoRK, May 3l.-Capt Henry Witt
haus, member Of one Of the most prominen
German-American families OF the city, com
mitted suicide by shooting himself in tn
head.
He returned to his brothers residence, al
No "a East Seventy-first street, where he
lived, between Il and 10 o'clock, after par
ticipating in the Memorial day parade with
the Ninth regiment, in which he commanded
a company. He went Immediately to his
room, which was in the rear Of the second
story of the house, and locked himself in
Shortly after his brother Edwin J. Witt
haus, heard a noise that sounded like the re-
port of pistol. Edwin knocked at the door,
and finding it locked, broke it open. As he
entered he saw ghastly sight Hs brother
was lying in the bed his head bathed in a
pool Of blood. Two pistols lay on either side
OF him.
One was a small pistol and the other a
large navy revolver One shot had been
fired out Of each. He had evidently used the
small pistol and aimed at his temple, but the
bullet glanced off the skull After this un.
successful attempt 10 take his life he took
the navy revolver and fired another shot
FROM it into the side OF his head, which
caused instant death.
Sent Quietly for the Coroner.
1t was not known outside of the member.
Of the family that he had committed suicide
until Coroner Messemer visited the Wtthau.
residence. The coroner received a letter from
Mrs Witthaus, the mother OF the dead man
asking him to call He went, never imagin-
ing that his errand was Of such an appalling
nature, and he was naturally Mortified to find
Capt Witthaus. whom he had known well
lying dead in his room in the same position as
when his brother found him. The facts that
bave been related were repeated to the off
cial and he issued burial permit, and the
body was then turned over 10 an undertaken.
No reason for the suicide can be assigned
except that Of temporary insanity, for when
Capt Witthaus left his home to take part in
the parade nothing unusual was noticed in hi,
manner. It is believed that the suicidal
mania was inherited, as an uncle Of Capt
AAtudAcf WIZ was n NtAAAu1 man. hliitl
himself about ten years ago, very much in
the same way, without any apparent cause
The Suicides History.
The dead soldier was one OF the best known
men about town and belonged TO a number OF
organizations beside the Ninth regiment on
the latter he was one Of the most prominent
members. lie was also member Of the Old
Guard and holoDged 10 the Hobolen Turtle
Club the Thirtaep club, the Press club, the
Liedertranz and Arion societies and the
Young Mems Democratic club. He was as
.sistant 10 Gen. Charles Y. Robbins, the in.
,.Epeetpr q rife practice for tle state Of New
Y&k.
Last summer he was one Of the visitors
sent to the Gettysburg battlefield where his
<inhrtial appearance won him great admira-
tion. Indeed &C one time he was considered
the handsomest man in New York.
Capt. Witthais was more or less prominent
In local politics, and was an enthusiastic
Democrat. He Vas well of, his father hav
ing left him the bulk Of fortune made il
the wholesale hosiery trade, the arm nam
being r. A. a.. q. H. Witthaus
No arrangements for tffe funeral have We
lhsen made, but he win probably be burie.
With military honors The captain was
years old.