The times., 1899-07-12
THE BURDEN TOO HEAVY
Business Troubles Drive Charles E.
Gibbs to Suicide.
He Puts Bullet Into His Brain
While at the Home of His sister
An Unsuccessful Hotel Venture,
Followed by IlI-HeaIth, the Cause
Was Member of Many Orders.

Charles E. Gibbs, who, for several years,
was well known in this city as a hotel
manager, put an end to his life at the
home of his sister, Mrs. Isabelle Crandall
at 9OS Virginia Avenue southwest, at 3:15
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. He shot him.
self in the right temple, the bullet sever
ing the temporal artery, and burying Itself
in the brain. Death resulted shortly after
ward at the Emergency Hospital, where
the man was hastily removed in an effort
10 save his life. Coroner Carr was noti-
fled and after viewing the body Issued 4
certificate of death by suicide The ar
rangements for the funeral have not been
completed, but it is probable that it will
be held Thursday
The suicide of Mr.. Gibbs is attributed by
his sister, with whom he was living, to
despondency over business reverses and
other adyersities. Mr.. Gibbs had not been
in good health for some time. This,
coupled with the other troubles, is sup
posed to have left his mind in such
condition that in a fit of abiect despair
he decided to terminate his sufferings.
Though it was known that the man wor-
ried greatly. there was nothing in his
conduct or speech yesterday to indicate
that he contemplated killing himself. On
the contrary. it appears that he was ap-
parenuy in the best of spirits when he
left his home yesterday morning after
breakfast.H to- 90 to- his office. This was al
about $3.50 o'clock. Mr.. Gibbs did not re-
turn to the house until after the noon
hour
When he entered the house he sought
his sister, Mrs. Crandail, and though he
complained of not feeling well, sat and
talked with her about various matters in
cheerful tone. 1t appears now that the
manner and tone were affected and that
the man at that time had fully made up
his mind 10 put an end TO his existence.
After talking to Mrs. Crandall for some
time Mr.. Gibbs went to his room, on the
second floor, where he remained quietly
for about thirty minutes 1t was sup
posed that he had gone to his room to take
a nap.
Mrs. Crandall went about her household
duties after her brother had gone to his
room and was engaged in some small mat
tiers about the house when she was startled
by hearing the report of a pistol. G'he
sound appeared to come from the room of
Mr.. Gibbs. Mrs Crandall rushed upstairs
and found the door of the room closed
but not locked. Mrs. Crandall found the
body of her brother lying across the bed.
Blood was flowing from his mouth and
nose, and there was a small hole in his
right temple. His right hand still firmly
grasped the revolver.
Charles Z. Gibbs was forty-one years OF
age and widower. His wife died in April,
1885, in Denver, Col. where she was under
treatment for consumption. She left three
children. The oldest child, Daisy, is nov
fifteen years old. The other children are
Gertrude and Marguerite, aged respective
ly nine and seven years. At the time of
the death of his wife Mr.. Gibbs was man
ager of the Colonial Hotel at the coFne1
CT Fifteenth and II Streets northwest.
Previous tc assuming charge of that hos
telry. which was famous as Wormley's
Hotel. Mr.. Gibbs had been associate man
ager of the Ebbitt House with Henry C.
Burch. Ii was when the partnership was
dissolved that Mr.. Gibbs embarked in the
hotel business alone. His venture was not
successful. and after a labor of some time
he was forced TO retire. Since that time
he was engaged in various pursuits, at a
late date having been identified with an
insurance company. He was also man
ager for the Ancient Order of United
Workmen.
Mr.. Gibbs was well and popularly known
in this and many other cities. He was
member of the Masonic fraternity, and
was a prominent figure in Lebanon Lodge,
No. Z. He was also a knight Templar and
a Shriner, being at the time of his death
a member of Almas Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. II is said that his life was insured
in the various societies. The funeral will
be under the auspices Of the Masonic fra
ternity