Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-09
Without Money or Friends in a
 Strange City.
W. L. WEBB TAKES HIS LIFE
An Air of Mystery Surrounding the Death-No One Heard
 the Fatal Shot.

Out of money and work; away from home and friends; among strangers, with seem- ingly nothing bright enough to live fon, W. L. Webb of Lamont, Ill.,, decided that he would be better off in another world. Making his final determination, appar- ently, from this point he put an end to his earthly existence in the Southern hotel, corner Twentieth street and Morris avenue, during Tuesday night by shooting hole through his head with 38 caliber Smith 6 Wesson pistol.
 On Monday afternoon a man about 45 years of age walked up to the clerks desk of the Southern hotel and registered as "W. l.. Webb, Lamont, Ill.," He stated to the clerk that he would remain in the city until Wednesday morning after break fast and asked the amount of his bill. He was told and handed In payment S5 bill, and was in turn handed his change. He was assigned to room No. on the second floor and adjoining the hotel office. He then asked the clerk to have his trunk brought over from the depot, which was done.
 Afterwards he went down on the streets aud came back for supper, having gotten shave. Retiring to his room early he spent the night.
 During Tuesday he spent considerable time in the hotel office reclining on a lounge, saying that he was feeling bad. All this time his appearance indicated trouble, his face having vacant look and lis eyes being sunken.
 Some time in the afternoon he got his key, went to his room 3 few minutes and then went down upon the street, taking
 with him the room key.
 Later he went back to bis room, but eK- actly what time is not known. Al supper time his door was rapped on, letting him know that supper was ready.
 After that time until found nothing was seen of him.
 At $40 yesterday morning MT. Kennedy, the hotel proprietor, went to his room and knocked upon the door, but no answer came. Looking at the lock the key was found not in it, and Mir. Kennedy went around to another door, by which he gained entrance to the roon.a
 Lying upon the floor cold in death, his head in pool of half dried blood, towel tightly tied around his neck, bullet hole in his right temple, sheet over his face and pistol lying at his feet, MT. Kennedy found the stranger. Stationing a man at the door, Mr. Kennedy went for police man and stated the case. The coroner was summoned, an investigation held and the body removed to Warner & Smiley's. The examination showed the bullet to have en- tered the right temple and gone through his head, On the table was found the fol- lowing letter, among other papers, ad- dressed t0 mir. Kennedy:
 SOUTHERN HOTEL, BIRMINGHAM, Aug. 2, 1894. This is to certify that am in my right
 mind and that financial trouble has caused me to act as have. Maj. M. G. Kennedy will please take charge of anything left in his charge until called for. Telegraph no one, as the city will take charge of body. w. L. WEBR. $ The other papers indicated Webb to have haA rf oil nctr lion Coroner Dusenberry empaneled a jury, which, after holding an inquest, rendered a verdict of suicide.
 One strange thing about the matter is that not a single person in the hotel heard the pistol shot.
 Officials at Lamont, Ill. !, have been te le- graphed. Iu the meanwhile the body lies on slab at Warner & Smiley's.