The herald., 1894-11-30
/ BULLET THROUGH HIS BRAIN.
Sensational Suicide of a Wash
ington Man.
He Was En- Route From Halifax to
Coronado.
Dssponoss sy and Drink Assigned ~ the
Cause of the Deed-His Name
Was w. II. q. Moore.
head.

Dependency, caused by drink, drove
another man to death early yesterday
morning, when W. E. @. oorehead oil
Washington, D. c.. shot himself through
the head in the Hollenbe hotel.
The deceased came to this city about
. week ago from San Francisco, en- route
from Halifax, N. s., to Coronado. He
left Halifax about the first OF the
month, going by way of the Canadian
Pacific railway to Vancouver. thence to
San Francisco, and got as far as Los An
eeles on his way to the Coronado hotel,
where he usually spends his winters.
When Moorehead reached the city he
met friendly acquaintances. with whom
be drank more or less. This tipping
finally had the effect of causing him to
go on prolonged spree. the result of
which was his untimely death.
BefoEe leaving the far east, Moorehead
had communicated with Mr.. B. w. Nc
Kenzie, O plum ber's goods dealer Of San
Diego and very intimate friend, telling
him of his leaving and stating that he
would arrive il Lee Angeles about the
2lst instant. He had met Mr.. McKen-
ze at the Coronedo hotel several years
ago, and they became very warm friends.
Moorenead had spent three winters at
Coronado and was on his way to that
reAort to again spend several months,
or stay until the opening of the spring.
Mr.. Mckenzie knew OF his friends un.
fortunate habit of using too mnch in
toxicant, and, finding that he was not
likely to receive word az to his arrival
in Los Angeles, concluded to come to
this city at once. His surmise that
Moorehead had gone on q spree
After his arrival here proved to
be correct. Reaching the city at
o'clock yesterday, MIR. Mckenzie at once
proceeded to the hotel and inquired for
his friend. He was found to be present,
10 the bell boy showed Mr.. Mckenzie to
Moorehead's room. Before going up,
howet or, he learned of the unfortunate
mans conduct, and expected to find him
in any except a sober condition.
A knock on the door met with no re.
Spouse. A second, third and fourth time
did the boy rap, but no answer came.
The key was on the inside and the door
was locked.
Being unable to awaken the occupant,
Mr.. Mckenzie hoisted the bell boy up
30 that he could look through the tram
som. He reported that he could see
Moorehead in q reclining position. with
his head pillowed against the head
board of the bed, apparently
dead. Mr.. Mckenzie, horror
stricken, forced ths door and found
his friend as stated. A stream of blood
had trickeled down upon his breast
from a bullet hole in the left temple,
and hammerless Smith & Wesson re-
volver OF 38 csliber was tightly clutched
in the left hand. Death had evidently
resulted instantaneonsly.
There were no papers, letters or books
by which the cauee of the suicide might
have been revealed. But the fixed ex-
preston upon The face Of the dead man
and sn empty flask told the tale. De-
spondent from liquor, he had gone to
his room, retired and then blew his
brains out. No one heard the shot.
Coroner Gates at once took charge OF
the body, which was removed to the
undertaking parlors of Orr & Patterson,
where an inquest was he'd last evening.
Moorehead was ABOUT 40 years of age
and unmarried. He has father and
married sister in Washington, his
home. He was quite wealthy, owning
large property interests both in the ma
tionsl capital and in Philadelphia. He
was an esteemed member OF the Metro
politan club in Washington, though he
rarely was there. He spent his sum-
mers in HALIFAX and his winters in Cor
onado, and travelled quite largely.
His aged father In Washington was
notified of the death, and it ia likely the
body will be sent there for interment.