The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-31
snnoInl pIspntch 10 the Intelllrencer.

Special Dispatch 10 the 1ntelligeneer.
ELKINs. W. Va, Aug. So.-George r.
Gabbert, brlck-layer and contractor
aged twenty-seven years. committed
suicide this morning at li;2O o'clock, by
shooting himself through the heart with
thirty-eight caiibre revolver. in his
room at the Randolph Hotel,
Mr.. Gabbert had been paying atten-
tlon to Miss Grace Riley, an estima-
BILE young lady of this city, and was en-
gagged TO be married to her. but It seems
that her parents had some objections to
his suit, and refused him the privilege
of seeing their daughter. This fact has
been praying on his mind and he has
been in q very melancholy state for sew
eral weeks. This morning he arose as
usual, and appeared at the breakfast
table dressed up, and made the remark
to the clerk that he was not going 10
work to-day, as ne was worried because
he had not seen his fancee yesterday.
After breakfast he sat about the hotel,
finally going out to the writing room.
and was seen writing and sealing some
letters.
Preparations for Death.
He then left the hotel and going to
Hanley's hardware store, purchased a
thlrty-eight calibre revolver. He next
visited the buildings for which he has
contracts for the brlck-work, and In
structed his men as 10 the work. Re-
turning to the hotel he went to his
room, speaking In a friendly way to
those whom he passed In the hallway.
Entering his room he locked the door,
and in a few minutes later one OF the
boarders on the same floor heard pls-
tol shot. and going TO the Office asked
the clerk II he heard the shot. The clerk
and the boarder went to the third door
and trying Gabbert's door found II
locked. They looked over the transom
and saw him lying on the bed. They
broke open the door Just In time to sec
him breathe his last, the ball having
penetrated his heart In the pocket Of
| his coat, was found two letters, one ad-
dressed to Miss Riley, and the other ad-
dressed to his father, which read as fol-
lows:
ELKINS, W. Va, Aug. 30.
DEAR FATHER:-When you get this
/ will be dead. You will wind up busl-
ness as best you can, and think II will
nearly pay itself out You will find
enough money In my pocket 10 bury me
| decently, and hope you will forgive me
| for committing this rash act, but will
| have to do 1t, or go crazy, and would
rather be dead. Good bye. and tell the
boys good bye for me.
(Slgned.) GEORGE.
p. S,-You will find all my papers and
books In my room at the hotel.
APopuiar and Worthy Young Man.
The letter was written In plain and
steady hand. which proved that he was
determined TO end his life.
George Gabbert was a young man
of sterling character, and had host OF
| friends in this city. He has been con-
tracing for several years, during which
time he has built the court house OF
Randolph county, the county jail OF
Tucker county, and was at present
building the large business blocks be-
longing to DR.. G. B. Harvey, and
Messrs. warfieid & Damn, which were
destroyed by the recent fire In this city
| He also built the Hosten Opera House
which is Just about completed. He was
| the eldest son of Joseph II. Gabbert
who is manager of the ElSins Brick ant
Tile Company, OF this city. He also
leaves three brothers