Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-28
Took His Own Life at Old Point
Comfort.
FOUND CEAD I'M HIS ROOM
indications That He Had Made Prep.
"rntions ForDeaih's Coming-shos
Himself Right Temple with a
Forty-rour Calibre Pis,o,-Lent
Letters For His Wife oud Mother
Relations Notified.

The people of this city were shocked
yesterday evening by intelligence that
Mr.. Leroy II. Shields of this city, had
committed suicide at the Hygeia Ho-
tel. Old Point Comfort His friends
were 10th to believe that this polished,
genial gentleman, who apparently en-
joyed life and was at peace with the
world and himself would take his own
the report. but in vain.
Mr.. Shields left the city about three
weeks ago. going to Ocean View. where
he remained -two- weeks before going to
Old Point At the View he was cheer
full and apparently fond of company.
at times. when speaking of the illness
OF one of his children, he would show
signs OF depression.
The Nirginian-pilot received at 1 a.
m. TINS morning the following account
OF his sad end from Old Point:
"Melancholia. Induced by a series OF
recent reverses in speculative transact
ions, is the reason assigned by those
VINO conversed with and observed the
behavior of Mr.. Shield during the past
week, for the suicide OF that we'll known
gentleman Tonight.
FOUND IN HIS ROOM.
MT. Shields was found dead on the
lioor OF ms room i'll the Hygeia Hotel
shortly before O'Clock by n chamber
maid. She had been sent for nitchar
OF Ice water by the occupant of the
room only Il few minutes before and
was returning with it when She heard
me shot. The pistol. 44-calibre, lay
on the floor beside the corpse and
. oioou ooZed from wound in the right
"a od"' pc, me body was entirely dress
ca, It's condition and the appearances of
ms men indicating that Mr.. Shields
MA made Il special toilet in preparation
lor deaths coming. The body was
viewed by the coroner. who instructed
me hotel people that it might be turn
at once
Mr. Shields came to the Hyreia
week ago. lie said he was expecting y
ic-"ppc!htinent as paymaster in fha
navy with which he was connected
curing the Spanisa-American var
when he held the position of pavmas,
'c' on me cruiser Buffalo. He snuuir-
20 Iesu..tfly Tor his mail at the hotel
u1''ce. ne greater part of the dny ne
speht III his room. During the past
several days his general demeanor wos
SuNh as 10 excite comment around Tho
ho'el. lie spoke To but few OF his NO
pualhtances and remained in close re-
tirement.
lie was III the 10th year of his life \
wife and three children survive ht.,,.
thc former is in Washington al present
miu Tie latter at his home in NorfnIls
lney were informed by telegraph of the
suicide" 20 " e..e
LEFT LETTERS FOR LOVED ONES
Two letters one TO his wife and the
,."v, 10 ms mother. were left behind
ny Mr.. Shields to explain the causes
life. 'ANe ms own
RELATIVES NOTIFIED.
Mt. w +. Il. Newton bookkeeper
az the Citizens National Bank. whose
Wlie IS a sister of the dead man. and
Mrs. shields. who is now in Washington
WIN relatives, were notified.
Mrs. Shields and her two children
VIII probably reach here to-day. The
arrangements for the funeral will he
announced later.
SKETCH OF DECEASED
Mr.. Shields was about IS years old
lie has lived here practically all his life
ana was highly thought of by those who
and had many influential friends.
The deceased was in business here a
number OF years ago with his brother.
Mr. John Shields. now dead. Thev
conducted hardware business. and
later the deceased entered the real 60
tate and auction business, being the
senior member Of the firm of Shields.
Smith & Pannill.
MI. Shields has also held the position
OF city Collector. and was Collector Of
customs at this port under President
CleNeiand's last administration. He
was succeeded In this last position bv
Hon. George y. Bowden. who was la ter
succeeded by Major r. C. Banks. After
the breaking out of war between this
country and Spain he received the an
pointment OF assistant paymaster in tha
United state Navy. The cessation Of
hosiilities deprived him of this position.