The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-09
ENDS HIS
YOUNG LIFE.
Clarence Sterne, a Brother of
u. s. Marshal Sterne,
Shoots Himself in the Center
of the Forehead.
EXPIRES INSTANTLY.
Had Been Suffering From Grip
and General
Ill Health - Grip Sometimes
Causes Sudden Insanity.

Clarence Sterne, youngest brother OF
United States Marshal Sterne, commit
ted suicide by blowing his brains out
while lying in bed at the home of his
sister, Mrs. ]. c. Fulton, S14 North
Quincy street, at ten minutes past IL
O'Clock this morning.
He was in poor health and had been
confined to his bed for several days
with an attack of grippe. He was
out of a position and worried consider
ably about the fact. Last week he con-
fded to his physician that he was tired
of life and remarked that it seemed ne
had little to live for
Yesterday he was feeling so well that
he dressed for the first time in several
days and left his room He slept late
this morning and when Mrs Fulton
went into his room about IL o'clock to
ask him about breakfast he said he was
al and would remain in bed. She went
down stairs to prepare something Tor
him to eat. and while engaged in this
preparation heard a sound as of some
one falling. Thinking that her brother
had attempted to get out of bed and had
fallen she rushed upstairs and into the
room.
There a terrible sight met her gaze
Clarence Sterne was lying on top of the
flowing from a round hole in the middle
of the forehead. 1t Streamed over his
face and down his neck. dyeing his night
robe and the bed clothing he was lying
upon.
CALLS FOR HELP.
Mrs. Fulton screamed for help and
young man rOOming across the hall in
the house answered. Taking in the sit
uation he hurried to the nearest tele-
phone and called a physician. The ply
sician responded at once, but by the
time he arrived his services, were not
needed Almost the entire supply OF
blood in the young mans body had
flowed through the hole in his fore
head and the bedclothing was literally
soaked.
Young Sterne had used a SO calibre
revolver in taking his own life. He had
pressed it against the forehead exactly
in the center and had sent bullet
crashing into his brain. From the mo-
ment the shot was fired he was uncon-
Ecious, and five minutes after the physi-
clan arrived he expired. The revolver
had dropped from his limp fingers and
was found lying on the floor.
The sound Mrs. Fulton heard was the
muff1ed report of the revolver pressed
close against the forehead of the sui
eide. He must have left his bed and
secured the revolver from the drawer
of the dresser where it was kept i'm
Enediately after his sister left the room
as she had been downstairs but a few
minutes when she was startled by the
sound up stairs. Securing the revolver
de had stretched himself on his back on
the bed clothes, planted the muzzIe of
the revolver in position and fired the
shot that ended his life.
The bullet cut a clean round hole
through the skull in front and Embedded
itself in the back of the head.
After screaming for help Mrs. Fulton
tainted and had to be cared for by the
neighbors who thronged to the Fulton
home as, soon as the news of the suicide
spread. United States Marshal Sterne
was in his office at the federal building
and was called by telephone, but did
not arrive until his brother had expired.
Clarence Sterne was the youngest of
the Sterne family, being about "a years
old. Up a few months ago he was with
his parents in San Diego, Cal, but on
getting out of employment there he
came to Topeka last September and
has been here since that time.
Soon after coming to this city Clar-
ence Sterne secured a position in North
Topeka but had to give the work up on
account of poor health. Since coming
to Topeka he made his home with his
sister on North Quincy street.
The only cause the relatives of young
Sterne assign for his act is dependency
over the condition of his health. His
attack of grippe" was severe, and it
may be that it affected his mind, as
grippe has often been known to do.
Clarence Sterne lived here several
years ago, when his parents made their
home in this city, but he was not as
well known as either his brother, the
present United States marshal, or
Beecher Sterne. For eight years prior
to his coming here last September, he
was with his parents in California
Mr.. and Mrs. Sterne. father and
mother of the suicide, have been notified
by wire and will probably come to To-
peka. No arrangements have as yet
been made for the funeral.