New-York tribune., 1900-10-14
LEAD IN MADMAN'S HEAD.
DOCTOR SAYS HE DID NOT FIRE THE
BULLETS THAT CAUSED DEATH

An autopsy performed yesterday the body
of George Rhymer. who died in the insane pavil-
ion Of Bellevue Hospital on October 10 showed
that the mans insanity was caused by two bull
let's from a .22-caIibre revolver.
Rhymer was sixty-five years old and lived
at No. 34S Rodney-st, Brooklyn He COM
nitted to the hospital for examination Sep
tember II from the Yorkville Court. He gave
as his nearest friend Dr. Byerman Of No SOL
LeXin gton-ave The man was examined by
Drs. Fitch and Wildman, the insanity experts,
who declared him insane. Owing to Rhymer
being q nonresident he could not be removed
TO the Manhattan State Hospital and prepara-
tiOns being made for his removal to the
Flatbush Institution for the Insane 1t was
noticed that he was wasting away, and that his
removal at that time would result in his death
He was treated for insanity, and in addition for
exhaustion and diarrhna by DR.. Whitley. 1t
could not be ascertained what was the cause Of
the mans insanity, and after his death it was
decided to perform an autopsy.
Yesterday afternoon Professor Leon LeWald
the pathologist of Bellevue College and Carne-
gle Laboratory, assisted by number Of other
physicians, cut into the mans brain. Professor
LeWaId was surprised 10 find imbedded the
two bullets One in the muscles of the in
ner right ear, and the other had gone through
the skull and lying on the brain, causing
cerebral hemorrhage.
Coroners Physician O'Hanlon who happened
TO be at the Morgue at the time gave it as his
opinion that the man could not have fired the
bullets into his brain.
Professor De Wald said he could not tell how
long the bullets had been in the mans brain
He said he had been in hospital twenty-nine
days. bat how long before that he had been
shot had shot himself he could not determine.
He said he did not know whether the man shot
himself not He will make a minute exam
ination Of the brain on Monday Tuesday in
the Carnegie laboratory
Some experts thought that one bullet, which
broke the skull but did not enter the brain,
might have caused a depressed piece of the skull
10 rest the brain. Others thought the other
bullet, which caused a cerebral hemOrrhage,
aided in bringing on insanity.
Rhymers hallucinations were peculiar. At
times he would quote Shakespeare with fine
elocution. and at other times he imagined him
self to be this or .hat prominent person. Pro
fessor De Wald said the man was in splendid
health for such age. The brain, except for
the ailments caused by the bullet in
very healthy state.
During the last two years Reinherr had lived
in a scantiy furnished room at No $40 Rodney
ST. Williamsburg, which he rented fICm w j.
Scheuing, a cahinetmaker. He was last seen at
his home in the early part Of September, and
seemed TO have nard struggle. When he went
away he far in arrears for rent
Scheuing said the dead man was once
wealthy furniture manufacturer in Manhattan.
His factory destroyed by fire. which almost
ruined him, as he had no insurance He
able TO re-estabsh his factory. he became a
wine importer About eight years ago he went
into the second hand piano business but his
wife, he told Scheuing, had no taste for such a
business. and they separated
A daughter, Mrs Frank Osmers who lives al
No. 500 East ne-hundred-and-sixteen
Manhattan. came to see him occasionally, ana
furnished him with clothing and food. REIN
herr had a sister, Mrs. Miller. at No. Sl4 Bloom
feId-st Hoboken All his relatives. Reimherr
told Scheuing, well to do, but had no use
for him. He came home one night last sprlns
with his head in a shocking condition, and toId
Scheuing that he had been luTed into a saloon
in Grand St near the Newtown Creek, where, ne
said ne had been drugged. stabbed and shot at
He was confined to his home for two weeks ne
began 10 act queerly after that Reimherrs
wish had always been TO be reconcied 20 MS
wife but she refused TO see or have anything to
do with him.
TFofi an