The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-11
MOTIVE NOT APPARENT
Mystery in a Young Blacksmith S
Attempted Suicide.
George DiEgins Found Ncnr Con-
gress Heights Suffering From n
of disappointed Love and Pnren-
tai Opposition to Marriage.

Lying near deaths door at Providence
Hospital. the victim of self-inflicted
wound. is George Diggins. a young black
smith. A ragged hole through the chest.
plowed by a bullet from a 3S-calibre re-
yolver, tells Of an attempt at suicide, the
motive for which is largely a mystery. In
terwoven in the details OF the tragedy is
q story Of disappointed love, of prepara-
lions for a marriage which never took
place.
A wedding ceremony was arranged for
Thursday night. The Rev. DR.. William X.
Turner. pastor Of St. Michael and All An
gels Episcopal Church. was to officiate. and
Miss Fannie Schombert, residing at 1909 L
Street northwest, was to become the wife
of Diggins. Diggins lives at the home
of Charles r. kuhns, fireman of No.
engine company, at Sic Eighth Street
southwest. where he took up his abode
seven months ago.
Parental objections to the marriage
with Diggins were advanced by the father
of Miss Schombert. She, however, held
firmly TO her determination to marry him,
and to this end arrangements were early
completed with the Rev. DR.. Turner He
ago and The ceremony was set for Thurs
day night at o'clock.
About 10 o'clock Thursday morning Dig
gins saw Miss Schombert at her home.
He was apprised of the time for the we'd
ding, ard left the house to procure a mar
riage license and a ring, promising to re-
turn At 6 o'clock. He failed to appear and
the following morning efforts were made
to locate him, but without avail until the
attempted suicide revealed his where
abouts.
The attempt at suicide by Diggins oc-
CURED shortly after o'clock yesterday.
A picturesque spot in what is known as
Wilson Park. near the old pavilion of
Congress Heights. was the scene Of the
shooting. Prior to the tragedy Diggins
was seen by several persons, including
Policeman Stevens, of the Anacostia SUBJ
station, walking about the park aimlessly
and finally toward the woods beyond the
pavilion building.
The sound of q shot from the woods
RESULTED in an investigation by the police
and others. Several yards from the pa
vilion seated against large tree. Dig
gins was found. In his hand was pis-
tot, still smoking, with one ball fired,
which mad penetrated his breast. Appar-
entity. conscious, Diggins did not speak,
A man on horseback went to St. Eliza
beths Asylum for the Insane. and another
summoned DR.. Watson, of Anacostia,
who Was soon Joined beside the wounded
man by Or. II. r. Hummer from the asy-
lum hospital. Together the doctors
worked ever Diggins until the police am
bulance arrived. He was then sent to
Providence Hospital.
Examination of the wound led to an
ion xaffr dc, tn In
cate the bullet. Nothing positive could
be learned as to the exact location of the
ball. After tho ordeal. Diggins lie .i:ed
slightly. but at late hour his condition
led to grave fears for his recovery.
Friends had seen nothing Of him
since Thursday. and his attempt at
suicide yesterday came as great
surprise. At the Schombert home a
reporter saw Mr.. George Schombsrt,
father of Miss Schombert. last night Mr..
Scnombert said his daughter was away
from home. She was spending the night
with her sister. and was unaware of Dig
gins mad act. While ayerse to speak
ing of the matter. Mr. Schombert admit
ted the engagement between his daugh-
ter and Diggins.
Il have known Diggins about year and
q hail. said Mr.. Schombert. Il have moth
ing to say against him. yet / did not ap-
a
seemed affable and like him. My daught-
er was TO have married him Thursday night
last. but he failed to keep his appoint
ment.''
The Rev. DR.. Turner was seen last night
at his home. 2021 H Street. northwest He
was to have married the couple he said
Il had another engagement for Thursday
night said DR.. Turner. but remained at
home awaiting Mr.. Dggins and Miss
Schombert. who were to be married at
o'clock. They did not come. Miss Schom-
bert called upon me tonight and spoke Of
the affair. l do not think She yet knows
OF the shooting. After Mr.. Diggins left |
the home Of Miss Schombert, Thursday. he |
spoke of going to Georgetown: also to Ten 1
leytown. where a sister resided. I have |
no idea as to the motive for the shooting" /
Diggins is about thirty-five years of age. |
He is employed by Charles Weitzell. the |
who keeps a shop In South |
west Washington. Mr.. Weitzell called at |
the hospital last night to enquire for the !
man. Miss Schombert is twenty |
three years Of age, is quite pretty and was |
employed in a store near her |
home as cashier.