The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-02-22
FOURTH EDITION
THE MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE.
Tho Body Proves to be That of James
L. Reed, an Ex-Philadelphia Police
Oricer.

hAo hsouy IfoNSS To 10 Ahhh VI
L. Rood, an Ex-Philadelphia Police
Ofiieer.
A brief notice appeared In Saturdays
stating that the body OF
an unknown man with a bullet hole in
his head was found near Robinson's
woods on the Newport turnpike. The
body wus discovered by a colored man
william Loekerman, while he
was hunting muskrats. 1t lay beneath
a clump of willow trees, and 1t was
evident that the man had been dead
but short time. .-..
The colored man called TO trucker
who WAS driving along the pike on his
way home, and he. with Lockerman,
Vowed the body, and upon finding
that the man was dead notified tho
coroner The remains were removed
to the morgue, and upon searching
tho body there were found two letters
addressed to James l.. Reed, No. IL
Meyers Court, Philadelphia, two papers
authorizing Lieutenant q. l.. wilkins,
OF the Twentieth police district of
Philadelphia to collect money due him
from the city for services and for po'
lice clothing, Il card from Lodge No.
zoos, |. o. 0. f., OF Philadelphia, a note
book, pen-knife. bunch of keys and
u pO'htl-bOOh CONTAINING % telllS. III
the note book were found these entries:
February l5-Was on duty as US
ual.
February 16-Was discharged TO
await further orders.'
This established the mans identity
beyond doubt. and tho matter was
PLACED in the hands OF state Detectives
McNey and Witsil, and the latter, with
the deputy coroner went to Philadel-
pilia at once. Upon making inquiry
they learned that q brother OF the
dend man was AT the AcHlemy OF Mu.
sic, taking part In the athletic tourna-
nent He was called out and made
acquainted with the sad news, and he
IN turn broke II as gently rs possible
to his aged mother, who resides at No.
II Meyers court. As may be expected
she was greatly Frustrated, and al
| most crazed.
'James was always q good SON" she
said, as she told the story to a repor-
ter, and | don't believe he was guilty
of the insult for which he was dis
charged. .-.
"On Wednesday when the result OF
the trial was announced to him he
grew Respondent. about noon Friday
he left me saying that he was going
| to seek work. The reports OF his trial
| and the criticism Made by Newspaper
made him exceedingly melancholy.
There Is no Use for me in this city
any more, lie said, as he left, never
| saw him alive again"
An inquest was held at tho morgue
yesterday afternoon, and the Jury rem.
dcred Il verdict that james l.. Reed.
came to his death from gunshot
wound inflicted by his own hands.
m lIuiaiNr nj ~ 1-ar IS
was rendered, the body was given in
| charge OF Frank Reed. lie brother and
Undertaken Stuart of Philadelphia, who
took it to that city.
When the Diseased was discovered,
he was lying in Il pool OF blood, but as
no revolver was found. 1t is probable
| that after inIlicting the fatal wound,
lie threw it into the creek A part OF a
box of 32 caiibre cartridges were found
In his pocket, showing that the rash
act had been committed with one of
them. -...
Reed was about % years of age, q
widower and leaves two small children
| WHO reside with his mother lie was
appointed ON the police force and as
signed TO the Twentieth district about
u year ago.
| lie was well formed man about
5 feet 10 Inches in height, and weighed
200 pounds, After hi9 appointment lie
| proved an excellent officer, and there
was no fault found with him until sun.
| day night. 18th inst, when it is alleged
that he grossly ihsulted two Young
Indian girls, who were on their way to
| church. These girls, named Nettie
IIansel and Ettle Tyndall, are OF the
Lincoln Institution, and they claim
that while passing along Fifteenth
street, lieod came across the street to
them and asked where they We're
going
Upon being told that they wore or
their way to church. he ASKED them 50
come along with him. saying that hr
would take thnin TO q better place. The
girls We're thoroughly frightened. and
ran all the way TO the church where
they Informed one of thu officials wha
happened.
One Of the GIRLS is organist in thu
ghureh, and both slug In the choir
Alter the service they came out, but
had not gone far when they wert
again overtaken by Reed, who. II Il
claimed, seized one oil them by tht
arm. They, however made their es
cape, and upon reaching the inst.tu
ton, Informed the matron oil The oil
GERS conduct.
She sent for him, ard upon hi3 deny
ing this statement made by the girls
and alleging that they spoke to hin
first, she determined to place the mat
ter i'll the i1unds Of Director BETTER an,
have il thoroughly investigated III,
case Was heard before him and as til
les imonyof two OF Reeds falloH oil
GERS tended to confirm the charge In
was dismissed from the force las
wednesday.
Reed was very des pondcnt, an
seemed to feel his Shame and dlsgrac
greatly.
on Friday he borrowed dollar iron
I his brother, and after going up stair
ana getting his revolver started uGt
rs lao sad, in search of work. As ;
eans Werafound in his pocket, it
c e. dent hewGfhei here from Philado
, Raia AMI had been here hut u snol
TIM when tho fatal decd was com
!, mit4ed
} There is no doubt hut that Tho dis
grace of his disms3al from the pole
! fprre WAS the cause, which led him {
-, take MS own lille, but why he can
/ here to do IL Ia Il mystory.
5 ''lhn grratcst cure on earth for pain
b Salvation Oil sing tic "a rain.
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