Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-04
NEWPORT NEWS.
Suicide of Foreman Hite, of the
Evening Telegram.
a Very Sad and UnaccountabIe Afrair-A
Young Man Sends His Soul Into Eternity
without Apparent Cause = The citys
New Omcers-A New Organ.
Especial to virginlan-Pilot.)

newport News, Va, July 3.-One of
the saddest, and at the same time,
most unaccountable cases of suicide
that has occurred in Newport News
for some time Is that of e. l.. Hite.
that occurred yesterday at his room
in the Elkton, on Lafayette avenue.
Mr.. Hite had Il room in the Eikton
and took his meals with Mr.. Joe Col
Inns in the same building. About noon
to-day Mrs. Collins rang the bell for
dinner and as Mr.. Hite did not come
down she supposed him to be asleep,
and sent Charlie Gilliland, boy ii
years old, living with her, up to call
him.
The boy. after receiving no answer.
opened the door and looked in He
discovered Mr.. Hite lying on the bed
and became frightened and ran down
stairs and told Mrs. Collins that ne
was on the bed with @ pistol lying by
his side. Mr.. c. w. Lewis, the bar
tender at the Elkton, who rooms with
Hite. was summoned and went into the
room.
When he entered he discovered Hite
lying across the bed, all of his clothes
on except his coat and vest. which
were neatly folded and lying on n
chair. a .SS calibre Harrington &c
richardson pearl-handle revolver was
lying by his side.
Directly in the center of his breast
was wound that must have produced
death almost instantly. Deputy Ser
geant Herndon was summoned imme-
diately, and he took possession of the
room until Coroner Gary could arrive
In the absence of any known reason
Tor his act, 1t has been suggested that
the pistol might have gone off acct
dentally.
/ This is plausible theory and de-
serves equally as much credence, in
view of the facts developed up to the
resent time, as the suicide theory.
Mr. Hite was young man about 30
years old, and regarded as one of the
most efficient workmen in his line in
the city. He came to this city about
three years ago. where he leaves a
mother, Mrs. Alta Hamilton, a brother,
Clifton Hite. at present employed on
the Staunton News. and an uncle, DR..
Hite.
Mr.. Hite has always been an ardent
advocate and supporter OF labor
unions. He was until recently treas
urer OF the Typographical Union, dele
gate from the Typographical Union to
the Central Labor Union, and was re-
Gently delegate to the State Fedora
ton of Labor. which met at Richmond.
He was also secretary of the knights
of the Mystic Chain and financial sec
rotary of the Newport News General
Hospital Association.
foreman on the Evening Telegram of
this city.
Arrangements for the funeral we're
made by the Typographical Union, and
the remains sent to Staunton for
burial.
NEW CITY OFFICERS.
To-day all of the newly elected city
officials assume their duties and take
possession of their offices.
While they are newly elected, there
are only two of them who are new
officials.
Mayor Moss. City Sergeant Mill
stead and Commonwealth Attorney
Robinson are all old hands at their
business, and Commissioner of Rev
cnue Crump and Constable Lipscomb
are starting in on new experiences.
or the new faces that will appear in
the council. Messrs. Frankfort and
Mountcastle are without experience in
the legislative halls. and will have to
familiarize themselves with the intri-
cate workings of that body.
The newly-elected officials had all
qualified by Saturday. Councilman
Davis being the last to do so. Their
term of office began July l. but as
that was Sunday to-day was the first
opportunity they had to make their
appearance in their low roles.