Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-23
MESSAGE ONrA SLATE
Robert s. Whitehand Was Called by an Old
Friend.
Suicide of the Proprietor Of "The Old
Curiosity ShOp"-FOund Dead
in His Room,

Weary Of life and RESPONDENT Robert A.
Whitehand, who has been for many years
the proprietor Of 1.-THE Old Curiosity Shop
sO4 D street, committed suicide late yester-
day afternoon, in his room at boarding
house on 18th street.
Wmtehand was something of a figure
about Washington and many collectors
knew him well, for his little shop was a
Veritable store house of odd and curious
relics. He had In his possession innumer-
able articles of historic interest, connected
with the revolution. the civil war and the
life and death of President Lincoln. 1t was
really sort of second hand store but the
visitor could spend hours examining the
motley collection of odds and ends many OF
them Of considerable value-old- IA hioned
portraits. files of the local papers of war
time, copies of famous proclamations, Gu
r1ous old weapons, all with some history
surrounding them, and hundreds of other
curios of interest to antiquarians In add
ton he was a maker Of enamel and metal
signs, but business was not good. and 1t is
more than likely that he had recently felt
the pinch of hard times. He was formerly
connected with the Washington Light In
fantry. He fought in the late war and
are" small pension from the government
He was hfty-five years of age He had a
brother, j. II. WhitehaEd, and sister
Mrs James Sheehan, both living in this
city but he was bachelor and his life
was not a very cheerful one. For a num-
per OF years he had lived at a boarding
mouse kept by Mrs. Howell, at 727 11th
street.: He was man of quiet tastes and
was nked by those who knew him we'll.
EARLY last evening Mr.. Isaac Hexton who
ives In Tie same house, saw a light in
WEitehand's room and decided to go in
and have chat with his old friend. He
opened the door and entered. receiving no
rpSnOnSp 10 h; Il
friend lying on the floor, partially undress-
ed. AT first he thought Whitehand was
asleep, but as he approached the body the
sight Of bleeding wound in the mans
quickly urdeceived him. He summoned
Mr.. Howell and the police were notified
and took charge of the remains White
hand had been dead but a few minutes
when he was discovered. The body was
still warm and pipe which the unfor-
tunate man had been smoking had not
yet had time to cool. From the position
Of the body 1t was evident that he stood
in front of the bureau, 60, As.-te take good
aim In front of the looking glass. Death
must have been Immediate.
Nhitehand had not been in very good
spirits for some time past, but his friends
had no idea that he was contempla ting
suicide. He left no letter behind, and ii
$ more than probable that he COMMITTEES
the act very soon after making up his
mind that life for him was not worth the
living. His relatives were notified, And
the body was removed to an undertaker's
establishment. Coroner Hammett viewed
the remains and gave a death certificate
in accordance with the facts
Whtehands relatives do not believe that
poverty had anything to do with his sui
eide. They say that While he was not
man of means, he was always prompt in
meeting all indebtedness. Whitehand was
spIritualist and was greatly interested in
slate writings and things of that sort.
When search of his room was made
his morning slate, such as is used in
''seances,' was found ON it was written
the words, II am waiting for YOU The
name signed to the sentence, or message
from the spirit land. was that of ROOM
mate of Whitehand's, who died just year
ago today. The two were great friends,
and Whltehand's brother believes that
Whitehand, who mad few interests in this
world, decided to leave it rather than dis
appoint an old friend in the other world.