The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-30

that there was TO be a commission or
lunacy held over him. Mr. Dean Bolton,
a relative called on Mr.. Gates friend OF
Mr. Clash, yesterday to consult with that
gentleman as TO what was best 10 be
done with Mr.. Clash. While these two
gentlemen were holding a conference in
Mr.. Gates Office the suicide was COM
mittod.
HOW THE ACT WAS COMMITTED.
Mr. Clash committed the deed at his
residence. No. 10 west Clay street, The
weapon used was a 32-caiibre revolver.
one shot only was fred, ana the bullet
penetrated the brain.
The fatal shot was fired about 1920
O'clock Mr. Clash arose at his usual
hour yesterday morning, but did not 30
down town. Instead. ne remained in his
room arranging his papers and complet-
ing some details OF his business. Tie
was neatly dressed when ne left mis-
room, and walked down stairs with n re-
yoiver in his pocket. lie descended 10
the basement, walked to the rear end Of
the hall, and closed the back door.
Standing in The corner beside "A table, nc
placed the muZzie of the pistol 10 Ins
head. behind the rigbt ear. and nTea,
the bullet crashing into his brain and
rendering him instantly unconscious lac
lived but a few moments. Upstairs were
his sisters, who live with him, Misses
Anna and Ellen Clash, the latter an IN
valid. and Miss Gertrude Clash. his only
child. a young lady OF about hi-ten years.
Startled BY the report OF the shot and
half guessing the sad truth. Miss Anna
rushed down 10 the basement
She was terribly shocked at the sight
that greeted ner. Lying across the floor
with his head Weltering in a pool Of blood,
she discovered the form OK her brother.
She alarmed the other members OF the
household and the body was raised, but
life was then extinct The news OF the
suicide spread rapidly over the city. and a
number of friends soon gathered at tho
house.
Coroner Taylor being summoned by
the Third District police. visited the scene
and after making a few inquiries said it
was too plainly case OF suicide to de-
mand any further attention on his part.
Shortly afterwards Dir. Joseph ". Laube,
the funeral director, took charge of the
remains and prepared the body for burial.
LEFT THREE LETTERS.
In the inside pocket OF the dead mans
coat was found a letter addressed 10 his
daughter. Lying upon the desk in his
room two other letters were discovered.
one OF which was addressed 90 his
brother-in-law. Mr.. J. B. Lambert, the
other for Mr. Laube. who had long been
his personal friend. he communication
to Mir. Laube simply reqcested him to
attend the details OF his funeral. The
other letters We're Ok a personal nature,
and their contents are held sacred BY the
family.
The letters left are thought TO have
been written more than a week ago, when
Mr. Clash was in Baltimore On a business
trip. The stationery used bears the adj
vertlsement OF the Eutaw House. Balti-
more. Ii Is not known what are the con-
tents OF the letters addressed 70 Mr..
Ciash's relatives but IL is believed that
one Of them stated that the unfortunate
writer felt that his mind was giving away,
and rather than be burden 10 his rela-
tiyes he thought II best 10 end his life.
The circumstances attending the sui
eide would Indicate that IL was planned
with the utmost deliberatiou. Relatives
OF the deceased are confident that his
mind had been impaired as the result OF
unwarranted worry and imaginary cares
for several weeks.
A POPULAR SALESMAN.
Mr.. Clash was employed as general
salesman for the territory Of Maryland
Virginia, and the Carolinas, by the firm
OF Cameron & Cameron. tobacco manu-
facturers Of this city. He also sold goods
for Eliyson * Harvey, and carried side
lines" for several other tobacco manu-
featuring concerns. and was rated as one
OF the most successful statesmen on the
road. Lately he had been complaining OF
business being dull. To Mr.. Juan A.
Pizzini, an intimate friend. who called
on him about "A week ago. having heard
that no was suffering from an attack of
nervous prostration and melancholia. Mr.
Clash seriously said that ho fslt in
cliued 10 shoot himself. Mr.. Pizzini en-
deavored 10 cheer him up with encour-
aging words, but he only shook his head
and talked despairingly OF his inability
To free himself of debts 20 the amount of
ss,J00, which he owed.
For several days past HIS friends were
becoming greatly alarmed over his con-
dltion, and advised him 10 20 10 some
quiet place where he could find rest for
both mind and body.
BELONGED To.MANY ORDERS.
Mr.. Clash married daughter OF Mr..
BENJAMIN Lambert. She died several
years ago.
Mr.. Cash was known to wide circle
of people as an excursioh manager For
some years IL had been his custom TO
run what In known as popular excursions
to different points In Virginia.
Deceased was q member Of RichmnDd