Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-13
ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE
Rudolph Haenni, Stable Boss, Shoots
Himself Through the Head.
FOUND In BED IN DYING CONDITION
Had lntimated His Purpose Previ-
ousIy to Several Friends.
TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL

Rudolph Haenni tired of life, sent bull
let crashing through his head some time
this morning, and when taken to the
Emergency Hospital he was almost un-
conscious and in a dying condition. The
exact reason for the mans rash act is rot
known. but it is said he had troubles, both
real and imaginary, anu had told friends
that he would soon he in the other world.
To members of fraternal societies whom
he had met during the past few days he
had remarked that they would soon have
to pay dollar apiece for him.
The shot was fred by tho man in his
room. on the upper floor OF the stable of j..
It. Varnell & Co.. in Cox's alley. He had
been employed in the stable as foreman for
several years, and the room in which the
shooting was done he had occupied as a
sleeping apartment.
Haenni who was born in Switzerland more
than fifty years ago, has been resident CT
this city for about twelve years His SON.
in-ldw. Jacob Breuger, keeps Arion Hall,
on Sth street, and Haenni could have had
a good home there had he so desired. but
he preferred to live over the stable, where
he could be master of his own domain. He
did not have many comforts III this room,
but he frequently entertained his friends
there. and ii was not an unusual thing for
him to rush the growler' and treat his
guests to liquid refreshments.
Unfortunately for Haenni, he was also
quite fond OF such beverages. HIS daugn-
ter and son-in-law were always willing to
help him. and frequently they sent meals
and delicacies to him.
Domestic Troubles.
Recently the unfortunate man has been
possessed of an idea that he had loaned
to friends several thousand dollars in
money. and this. together with his do
mestic troubles. it is thoug at. preyed upon
mis- mind to the extent that he hardly
knew what he was doing az times.
Three years ago his wife, who had come
across the ocean with him. died. and a
year or more later he married again. But
married life, IL is said, was not quite so
pleasant as it had been when his first wife
was living. the second partner. it is Under
stood. desertinC him. Just where she is
the mans relatives do not know. but ru-
NOR has it that she went from here to Bal
timore. Another rumor is that she was
to return today, and a woman. possibly his
wife. is said to have called on him yester-
day.
Haenni was drinking to some extent yes
terdsy. it is stated. and to persons in the
alley he said he had but a short time to
live Although he made this staten mt
to number of friends he did not seem
very much detected. for during the after
noon he was playing and joking with some
little children in the alley. Several of them
were given some small change, and Haenni
enjoyed seeing them eat candy, cakes and
snowhalls.
Night came. and Haenni went to his room
with his mind evidently made up that 1t
was to be his last night on earth. There.
in his poorly furnished room. he slept on a
small cot, and early this morning he got up,
dressed himself and went out.
Called at AriOn Hall.
1t was about $50 o'clock when he called
at Arion Hail. his son-in-laws saloon, and
got a drink. He conversed with the man
behind the bar. and even joked with him.
Several days ago he had told the bartender
that he Ghe bartender) would soon have to
pay a dollar for him, but this morning he
cid Tot refer to the subject.
breakfast isn't ready yet" he was told
by the bartender, who supposed he had
called for his early morning meal.
Then the stable superintendent departed
and made his way to his room.
About O'Clock one of the colored walters
in the restaurant, Walter Reeder, was sent
to take Haenni a bowl of soup, and it was
about SID o'clock when he reached the
stable. Ascending the steep stairWay the
colored man reached the door of Haenni's
room 1t was not locked. and he entered
without knocking. He discovered the dying
man at once. A big pool of blood on the
floor. as well as the crimson-stained nil
lows. mutely told the story.
Good Lordr' shouted the waiter and
frightened almost to death. he managed to
he is employed
MIR. Haenni's done gone killed himself -
he exclaimed as he entered the saloon
door.
Police Notified
The waiter was so much excited that it
was s)me time before he was able to tell
just what he had seen. Another man en-
ployed iL the saloon went to the stable
with him, and Policeman Newkirk was
called and an investigation was made. 1t
was thought from a hasty inspection that
the man had shot himself in the mout h
and tIat the bullet had come out through
the eye, but the subsequent examination
by the physicians showed that the bullet
Dad entered his right eye. After using tine
Small pistol Haenni had showed IT under
the pillow, where it was found by the Off
GERS.
In a few minutes the Emergency Hos
pital ambulance, with DIR. Bahr in charge,
reached the stable. but because of the IA
ture of the injury the doctor could do but
little 10 relieve him until the hospital was
reao he'd.
When the hospital was reached the
wounded man was still unconscious He
room. and Drs. Turner. Bahr. Vaughn and
Juenemann attended him There was no
trouble in locating the bullet, but because
of the patients condition IL appeared that
there was nothing that could be done for
lin other than prevent his suffering in
terse pein.
The unfortunate man is about f1fty-five
years old. and Is a member of the Swiss
Society. Hermann's German Society," the
Improved Order. knights of Pythias, and
other organizations.
AT late hour this afternoon II was
thought that Haenni might live for a few
hours, but ii was not probable he wouic
survive the night.