Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-21
BULLET IN HIS BRAIN
Nj, John Lauef Kills Himself
in Monroe Park,
A MOST DELIBERATE SUICIDE
Bidding Ills Son GOod-By, The Father
Goes 10 End His Lie.
HAD LONG BEEN DESPONDENT
Physical Suffering Led the Deceased
to Seek surcease of Pain in Death
A Letter of Explanation Left-A
Henrico Man Drinks Poison
Henrico Man Drinks Poison

Mr.. John Lauer, the well-known pro-
prietor of the confectionery and saloon
at the corner of Henry and Main streets,
committed suicide in Monroe Park last
night at $50 o'clock, shooting himself
through the head with a 44-calibre re-
volyer, which he had purchased only a
few hours before for the purpose.
The suicide was sensational in the ex-
treme. in that the deceased selected q
most public place for the tragedy, and
Immediately before leaving his home to
commit the deed jocularly babe his son
good-by. He left a note saying that
physical suffering led him to seek ease
in death.
. Mr.. Lauer was born in Kaserslautern
Germany, sixty-four years ago. and came
TO this country when but 16 years of
age. He located in Richmond four or
five years before the war, and was prob
ably as well known and as popular as
any of Richmonds German-American
citizens. He had been in ill,health for
years, and was a great sufferer from
catarrh OF the stomach which was COM
plicated with govt, neuralgia, and rheu-
matism. He had frequently threatened
to end his existence, and fearing that
he would put his threat into execution.
Mr. John Lauer, Jr.. HIS son, hid his
pistols from him.
SECURED A PISTOL.
Yesterday morning Mr.. Lauer appeared
brighter than usual, and in a bantering
manner told his son that he had never
refused him but one thing in his life,
that was a pistol and he was going 10
get that. He went to Cbimborazo Parl,
In the afternoon, and returning home
about nightfall, told his son that he had
gotten pistol at Tignors, and at the
same time handed him several 4l-calibrt
cartridges in substantiation of his state
ment. He had supper, and then told
his son that he was going to shoot him.
self. AT the time the young man was
behind the bar, and thinking to distract
his fathers attention, suggested that he
would get a Winchester, and together
they would fight duel. The older gen.
tleman laughed at this, and saying, mo
that would not do, for there would be
no one left to care for your mother
walked out Of the bar, turning as he
passed out of the door to tell his sor
that he had a letter in his pocket fol
him.
SEATED ON A BENCH
Mr.. Lauer walked deliberately TO Mon
roe Park, only about fifty yards distant
from his store, and seating himself or
the first bench from the entrance at the
corner OF Belyidere and Main streets
watched the passers by. Park-Keepei
Kracker passed in company with a gen.
tleman, and was hailed by Mr.. Lauer
who asked If he was out for a walk
y brief reply was given, and the two
gentlemen passed on. only TO be halted
when a few yards off by the report of q
pistol iurryng back to Mr. Lauer
they found him still seated on the bench
with blood gushing from his right cal
and the smoking pistol lying on the
ground at his feet. He had fired witt
the muzzle Of the pistol against his ear
and a gaping wound was made.
The alarm was quickly given. and Mr.
John Lauer. Jr.. who heard the repor
of the pistol, hurried to his fathers sid,
and besought him to speak Mr.. Iauel
was then dying, and he was gotten HON,
as quickly as possible. Physicians wer,
summoned and hurry call was sent IL
for the ambulance, but in 10 minutes aftel
the fatal shot had been fired the deceased
breathed his last.
THE FINAL LETTER.
Coropar rrax-Inr x-ac ocI 4,
his presence the son opened the letter
which he extracted from his father.
pocket after death had claimed him. The
letter was addressed MY Dear Son." ant
very briefly told him that the deceased
had too long suffered from his many all
ments. and was about TO end his exist
ence In the letter Mr.. Lauer said h
felt that he would be happier dead thar
alive, and enjOined his son 10 take good
care OF his mother, who was his bes
friend.
After examining the wound and readine
the letter, and inspecting the pistol-a
single chamber 4i-calibre weapon--the
Coroner turned the remains over TO Tn.
dertaker A. W. Bennett, who will pre-
pare them for burial
HAD TRAVELLED MUCH.
Deceased leaves a wife, who is a sister
Of Mr.. Jacob Reinhardt, and two chill.
dren--Mr. John Lauer, Jr, and Mrs
Charles Williams, Of Charlotte, y. c.
Deceased. before locating in Richmond
Immediately before the war, travelled
pretty much all over the United States
following his trade Of wood-carver. He
was an artist of considerable ability, anC
his home, over his store, at No. 500 wes
Main street, il decorated with many
handsome pieces OF his handiwork. He
was exceedingly popular. and his sad
death will be a great shock to his many
friends, though his son stated last night
that he mad been fearing for years that
his father would kill himself.
No arrangements for the funeral have