The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-07-24
Judge DePeatt Commits Sui
eide by Shooting.
BURIED THIS MORNING.
Found in His Office Yester-
day Afternoon.

Ath6na was Startled Dy tne report tnat
Judge E. DePeatt, the well-known attor-
ney, had ended his own life by shooting
himself with revolver.
In q short time crowds began to gather
in and. about the attorneys Office, where
peoples curiosity was appeased, and the
verification of the rumor proven a fact.
L. d. Lively, an intimate friend, and
Deputy MavBhal Gholson concluded at
noon yesterday to ascertain the where
abouts of DePestt, as he had not been at
his home since Tuesday, notwithstanding
the fact that bis wife is in very feeble
health, and has been for some time. The
two gentlemen at once proceeded to De-
Peatt's law Office, on upper Main street,
and found the door locked. Entrance to
the Office was gained by Mr.. Lively re-
moving the nails from window screen.
In the front room all was in the usual
neat order, and Mr.. Lively went into the
inner room. There is but one window
in this room, and it is on the east side.
The blind vas drawn down, and the
room was quite dark, but Mr. Lively was
able to see the outlines of DePeatt's
form lying on a sofa which is placed on
the south side OF the room.
Lively nodded to Gholson, int'mating
that DePeatt was there. He supposed
DePeatt had been drinking and was only
asleep. and at once took him by the
shoulder, shaking him and calling on
him to get up. Receiving no response,
he attempted to raise him to a sitting
position, when he found him to be cold
in death.
The blind was Immediately raised and
kha furn man of rnao that nd Ia
Peatt had ended bis earthly existence by
shooting himself with revolver. His
hands and shirt front we're bespattered
with blood, and large pool was on the
floor near the sofa.
The dead man lay on bis back, the left
knee being raised and the left foot set
| firmly on the sofa. The right leg was
extended ct full length, the body being
| in very natural position. The head,
after the bullet had made it's fatal wound
dropped and rested on the side.
The bullet entered the mouth and
ranged upward, passing into the brain,
causing instant death.
The suicide was undoubtedly COM
mitted shortly after 8 O'Clock Tuesday
night, as the condition of the remains
went to attest. Although some are cer-
tain they saw DePeatt Wednesday, and a
| family living in the building east of the
Law Office, claim to have heard the report
OF a revolver about 2 o'clock yesterday
morning.
The last persons to see Judge DePeatt
alive were Marshal Gillis and Deputy
Gh0lson. They were sitting in front of
Max LAWNS grocery store about o'clock
Tuesday evening, when DePeatt passed
them. He was then in an intoxicated
condition, aud showed it by bis walk.
He passed on and they thought he went
home, but it transpires that he did not,
but instead went across the street to his
office.
Soon after some one else passed, going
| in the same direction, and shortly after q
shot was heard. Gholson made the re-
mark, there goes dog or cat" think
| ing the person who passed after DePeatt
had went up the street, was the one who
had fred the shot.
| In all probability the shot the officers
heard was the one which sent Judge De.
Peatt's soul to eternity.
just why the lawyer should have end
led his life is q quandry to many, while
! TO his most intimate friends and others
who claim to have known the mans
temperament, the act seemed to cause
no surprise. It Is said that not long ago
friend took revolver away from De-
Peatt to keep him from ending his life,
and at other times, when under the In
fluence of liquor be has been beard to
express the wish that be was dead that
be wished someone would kill him, and
other such like expressions, all Of which
! goes to indicate he has for some time
thought of ending his life.
Coroner Fulsom arrived from Pendle-
| ton about six o'clock last evening. He
| Immediately empanneled q jury and held
an inquest. Those who composed the
Jury were ]. E. ReedeF, 7. j. Kirk, A. j.
Parker, Henry Caplinger, VIM. Wells
and E l.. Barnett. From the evidence
| the Jury coon rendered verdict TO the
effect that the deceased came to bis
death by bis own hands some time dur
ing the night of July 21.
IN life Judge DePeatt exhibited in
many ways warm, generous heart, and
By many ways proved more loyal to hia
| friends than to himself When at him-
| self, he was one Of the best lawyers in
Eastern Oregon. and until lately had an
| extensive practice. He came TO Athena
several years ago from Southern Oregon,
and opened up law Office here in part
nership with Judge Crawford.
! He leaves 8 most estimate wife and
| three lo7abIe children He ct one time
was member Of Pythisn Lodge, No. 20,
| K. Of p, and of the Masonic lodge Of this
city.
The funeral took place this morning al
| o'clock. under the supervision Of Wild
Horse Lodge, I. o. Q. F., Of which the