Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-10
SUICIDE FROM PAIN.
Mr.. scHLEIcHER FIRES A PISTOL
BALL THROUGH HIS BRAIN.
III Health tho Cause Of the Act-skctch
Of His Lifr-His Funeral Last
Evening.

Mr.. George Schleicher committed suicide
by shooting himself through the head at
his home. No. 2lOs east Clay street. near
Church Hill avenue, early Sunday MORN
Ing.
He had been suffering for some time
iron, complication Of diseases. among
them softening Of the brain. and to these
his rash acs is said to be attributable.
Mr.. SchleIcher's family had for some
weeks feared that he would resort to
such an extreme, az he had several times
lately minated his desire to die. The
pistols about the premises had been
emptied, and the cartridges put In 81 cup.
and the latter hid in an clubhouse. After
this had been done II was not thought
that he could terminate his life 30 easily.
On July 4th, however everybody. except
Mr.. schleicher. left the place. and 1t IS
supposed that he then insiigated a search,
found the cup OF cartridges, took one
therefrom. and prepared for the deadly
shot.
WAS FOUND KNEELING.
About O'Clock Sunday morning Mr..
Schleicher arose and went down stairs
TO the back parlor as was his usual
custom one of his sons-in-law heard a
slight noise, which he thought was caused
by some one knocking In the backyard,
or the slamming Of a door. so he paid
no attention 10 II.
Three hours later-about o'clock-one
OF his daughters went to Mr.. Schleicher' s
room to call him, and finding he was not
there. went down to the parlor 10 look
Af rhAf. oh
saw her father kneeling by the sofa In
the attitude Of prayer She started to him
to nut her hand on his shoulder. but a
fearful sight met her eye-around him on
the floor, on his garments, ana on his
hair were thick, clotted streams OF blood.
She screamed loudly for help, and the
other members of the family rushed in.
They raised the old gentleman gently, but
he was then stiff in death. From his
attitude it was apparent that Mr.. Schlei-
cher had been In prayer before firing the
fatal shot. and that after having con-
cluded his supplcation, he placed the re-
vover to his right temple. and pulled
the trigger. The ball passed entirely
through the brain.
Coroner Taylor was notified. and. after
viewing the remains. deeming no inquest
necessary, turned them over TO the de-
ceaseds family.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Schleicher was 60 years of age. He
was a German by BIRTH and came to
America when only IS years Of age.
He was a skful wood-workman. and
for some time was engaged In that oceu-
patton at H. NJ. Smith * Co.'S. and after
ward with the Cardwell Machine Company.
He was with the latter firm until five
months ago. when his health became so
bad that he was forced to leave work
entirely, and had since then been par
TALLY confined TO his home. He was a
widower, his wife having been dead some
time. He was the father of nine children.
seven OF whom survive him. They are
Mrs. Heisler Mrs. Walthall, Mrs. Hardes-
ty. Mrs. Dettor. Mrs. Burnett. Philip
Schleicher, and Miss Gertrude Schleicher.
Mrs. Burnett Is a bride of only five
weeks Mr. Schleicher was member
in good standing of the Knights of Honor.
He was well-known citizen OF Rich
mond, and was universally liked.
His funeral took place from his resi-
dence at 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The burial was in lakewood cemetery.