Evening star., 1896-11-12
CAUSED, By ILL HEALTH
Reason for the Suicide Of q Well Known
Hotel Man.
Bullet Through Brain Ended the Life
of Mr.. b. w. Fra.ier-Happy
Family Life.

Mr. B. w. Frazier, the proprietor Of the
Hotel Wellington. committed suicide yes
terday about noon by shooting himself
through the head.
AS stated in yesterdays Star, the body
was found shortly after 1 o'clock in lit
tie clump Of trees between the Athletic
Park on the Conduit road and the north
end OF the Chain bridge. 1t was discovered
by three ladies who were walking along
the path which runs from the station on
the electric road to the bridge The body
was lying on its back with a revolver on
the ground nearby. A wound above the
right ear. from which blood had flown,
told the story of the suicide
A telephone message was at once sent
to the Georgetown police station and the
patrol wagon started off to the scene OF
the occurrence. All that was known at
the station was that a body had been
found but nothing was then known of the
identity of the dead man or the cause OF
death. 1t was after 3 o'clock when the
wagon returned to the station with the
body. Then 1t was learned from papers
about his person that the unfortunate man
was Mr.. Frazier. Among them was let
ter addressed to Mrs. Frazier, at her home,
1888 p street. He was about forty-two
years of age. He was well dressed and
wore a light overcoat and patent leather
and peaceful, the face Of kind and cour-
teous man. Death must have been instanta-
neous for the muzzle Of the revolver was
pressed against the right side of the head
and the ball had gone completely through,
coming out in almost the same place on
the left side.
Mr.. Frazier was one of the best-known
hotel men III Washington, and had an in
terest In the Raleigh and the Ebbitt House.
He was formerly connected with the latter.
but left 1t to take charge Of the Portland
Flats when they were built. He was for
a time the manager Of the Raleigh. On ac-
count of bad health he resigned about a
year ago, and was not actively employed
until he secured control of the Hotel Page,
on 18th street. in September, and made va
rious Improvements and opened it as the
Wellington.
Yesterday morning he left the hotel os-
tensibly to take walk. The last seen of
him alive was about two hours later, when
he spoke to coiored girl on the Conduit
road and asked tie shortest way to the
Chain bridge. He appeared to be nervous
at the time, and acted in rather an excited
manner.
1t is difficult to account for Mr.. Frazier's
act He was happily married, his family
consisting, however, only of his wife and
sister. So far as his friends know, his
financial affairs were in satisfactory con-
dition. He was looked upon as well-to-do,
and was extremely popular with all who
knew him. He was a Mason and member
OF other secret societies, as well as OF the
Blue Ridge Rod and Gun Club. He had not
been in the best of health for couDle of
years. and his condition preyed upon his
mind to such an extent that his friends re-
Gently became alarmed about him. He was
Of nervous temperament, and In his
business life was worried all the time. In
this connection curious thing occurred
yesterday. Two. Of his friends happened to
meet on the street.
Have you seen Frazier lately?
s'Not for cOuD1e of weeks. He's been
acting queer lately" f'h ei@'"tf '"sHes
II would not be surprised If he should
kill himself some time"
Mr.. Frazier was lying dead on the ground
at the time.
Last evening the coroner Investigated the
case and gave a certificate in accordance
with the facts. and later the body was re-
moved to the P street residence.