The morning call., 1894-04-13
DEATH PREFERRED
Julius Leptien Seeks to
End His Life.
Despondent and Half Crazy Through
Losses Caused by the Collapse
of Denver's Boom.

Despondent and half crazed through
bIooding over the loss Of money, julius
Leptien, an expert winemaker, placed a
revolver at his right ear in his room, 473
Jessie street. yesterday morning and fired.
with probably fatal effect.
He has been boarding with John Geckler
for the past nine months. He arose as
usual between and o'clock yesterday
morning and after breakfast left the
house, but returned in a few minutes.
The postman brought him a postal-card
from Holtum Bros, on Market street. ask
ing him 10 call and see them, and short
time afterward the other inmates in the
house were startled by the report of a
pistol shot from his room.
Policeman Wollweber happened to be
passing the house at the time and hearing
the shot went inside. he broke open the
door of Leptien's room and found him
lying upon the floor with gaping wound
on the right side Of his bead and the pistol
lying beside him. He had removed his
coat and vest and carefully folded them
and placed them on the bed with his collar
and necktie.
Leptien was unconscious and was re-
moved TO the Receiving Hospital In the
patrol wagon. An operation was per-
formed by DR.. Somers and the bullet ex-
tracted. The doctor says there is very
little chance of his recovery. During the
afternoon he seemed to regain conscious
ness. but he positively refused 10 give any
sign or say anything.
Underneath the lamp in his bedroom
letter was found addressed 10 Charles
Bernhardt, of the firm of Naber, ATS e.
Bruno. Market street. Mr.. Bernhardt
called at the hospital yesterday morning
and opened the letter, which was written
in German. The letter was as frllnws
Mr.. Bernhdrdt: Excuse me tina I lay hands
upon myself. am somewhat out OF my head.
In case 1 die will you see that my body is
buried with as little cost as possible? My
things leave 10 your disposal. from Holtum
Brothers there Is due me five days wages /
thank you in advance for causing you so much
trouble. Please notify my family. Your un-
happy JULIUS LEPTIEN.
Mr.. Bernhard gave some explanation
of what had led tn the rash act. "Lep-
tien." he said, belongs TO an excellent
family In Kiel Holsiein, his father being
proprietor of a large distillery. He is
about 30 years of age. In 1890 he came to
this country with letters of introduction
to me, but shortly after left for Denver.
| There he fell Into the hands OF real estate
| sharpers. who induced him 10 invest
heavily in factory and real estate. When
tie ha:d times came he lost everything,
and returned to this city in August last.
| Oincc tDcu ue mas ucou ompi'you ~
different times by HoItum Bros, but has
been despondent over his losses in Dem
yer. / became alarmed about him some
weeks ago, and wrote to his parents ac-
| QuaiDting them with his condition, and
have been daily expecting letter with
money to send him home.
II last saw him about week ago at my
office, and he was then very despondent,
but L did not dream he would attempt to
take his own life. He is o most exemplary
young man, unmarried, and this will be a
sal blow to his family"
John Geckler also spoke very highly of
the young man. He said he never drank
nor smoked. and was always courteous in
his demeanor.