The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-04-16
CHICAGO MIEHIONArBE,s DEATH.
Rufus Wright, Who Was Shot In Mrs.
Louisa Lottridge's Apartments.

Chicago, April 15.-Rufus Wright, the
millionaire manufacturer Of rubber toys.
who was shot during a scuf1le for pos
session of revolver in the apartments
Of Mrs. Louisa Lottridge at the Leland
hotel, died to-day from the effects of the
wound. The body of the millionaire Is
now at undertaking rooms, where an in
quest will be held tomorrow. 1t is the
opinion of the police that the coroner's
investigation will mark the close og the
sensational case. A statement by the
deceased to Chief of Detectives Colleran
that the shooting was accidental will, 1t
is thought, clear Mrs Lottridge of all
responsibility. Wright died with words
of exculpation on his lips for the wo-
man whose revolver was responsible for
his death. He persisted in saying that
the woman was not to blame for his
condition, and that he had the revolver
in his hand when it was discharged.
Mr.. Wright's son-in-law and partner,
Frederick Morgan, was at his side at
death. Mr.. Morgan held that his faith
er-in-law was on an errand to help
friend who had become entangled with
the woman, when he received his death
wound. Although he admits he can Of
fer no evidence Chief of Detectives Col,
leran strongly believes that the weapon
was not in the hand Of Wright when 1t
was discharged. A careful examination
of the position of the wound, he says,
will show that it would be impossible
for Wright to have held the weapon in
his hand. Captain Colleran says also
ho Mrr tv.iJ cIa of
remember whether the weapon was in
her hand or in Wright's. He also cites
the fact that Wright's beard is not
singed, as it would have been If weap-
on had b cen discharged close to his
head; his face is not marked with pow
der; in fact, Captain Colleran says there
is nothing to show that he held revol-
yer close to his face.
Mrs Lottridge in a statement made
at the police station said: II cannot re-
what led up to the production
Of the revolver was talking to Mr..
Wright, when he asked me to show him
a revolver of which he had spoken pre-
viously. Il refused to do SO, and we
talked on other matters for awhile.
that finally I went to my
when he saw it Mr. Wright begged me
to throw it away. AS I remember, he |
tried to take the weapon from my hand |
and we scuff1ed. stood up and he was |
sitting on the couch. I had hold Of the
when with a sudden effort he |
tore the revolver from my grasp. He |
fell backward and I followed him. I |
to get hold Of the butt of the |
weapon, he holding to the guard. AS |
we struggled the weapon was discharg |
ID, and, bad as + felt from the liquor I |
1ad drank, I could not help crying out
n horror when I saw he was wounded. |
He fell back on the sofa and gasped |
hat he was shot. laughed hystericals
y and told him he was all right. Hell
insisted he had been wounded and beg |
red me to call a doctor. told him he |
vas dreaming, and then set about car-
ng for him. I took a handkerchief |
rom his pocket and attempted to
taunch the flow of blood from his neck,
where the ball had entered. I saw at
,lance that the revolver had done dead
v work, but 1 could not bring myself to
ell any one of the occurrence. waited
N Mr.. Wright for two hours possible
'efore I summoned doctor I was so
vercome that I could not talk and may
AVE said things I ought not to have
aid, but the pressure I was laboring
nder was the cause for my actions. The
tory that Mr.. Wright came to my room
n the interest of friend Is false. He
anne to see me at my request. He had
nown me long enough to come at my
east call. He was in good spirits when
e entered the room We drank togeth-
r and talked of matters which concern
d ourselves. We had pleasant con-
ersation until the revolver was intro
uced by chance and the struggle which
nded in his DEATH