Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-09
Indications That Captain Louis
Ostheim Committed Suicide.
BULLET HOLE IN RIGHT TEMPLE
He Was to Have Been Married
Today to Mrs. Wood.
TRAGEDY IN CHICAGO HOTEL

SI1ISfA1os ApIl o-Sdpt. 1<oNAS OStiiCiiii'
1st United States Artillery, was found dead
in his room at the Auditorium Annex late
last night. There was bullet wound in
his right temple Under his body was
new revolver. The body lay on the side.
Life apparently had been extinct since Sat
urday.
According to announcements in the Chi
cago papers, Capt Louis Ostheim and Mrs.
Eva Bruce Wood were to be married in this
city today at the residence of the brides
uncle, Walter B. Phister. After the cere
mony Capt. Ostheim and his bride were to
leave Immediately for the east, visiting
Philadelphia, the captains former home,
and other cities. After May 1 they were to
be home at Fort Screven, Savannah, Ga,
where the captains battery is stationed.
Among the articles found in the captains
room were two wedding rings. One was Of
heavy gold and inscribed as follows; Eva
to Louis-April 8, 1907
The other was smaller and more delicate
ly made. Inside was engraved: Louis to
Eva-April 8. 1900.'
Formerly at Fort Sheridan.
Capt. Ostheim was stationed at Fort Sher-
tdan previous to the Spanish-American war.
! and it was during his stay here that he met
Mrs. Wood He had been transferred from
service with the 9Th Artillery in Manila to
the LIST in the United States and had come
to Chicago to be married when he commit
ted suicide. The cause of the suicide Is a
mystery. Nothing was left in the room to
throw any light on the matter.
The only writing found was the following
address on an empty envelope: Miss
Clara Ostheim 1919 North 7th street, Phil
adelphia-" In the pockets of the captains
clothing were found eight $50 bills five
$50 bills and check for $21O
capt. oStheim registered at the Audi
| torium Annex on Monday. April 2 one
| week ago today: He seemed to be in eX-
cellent health, showed the tan of his Phil
| ippines campaigning in his face and was
reserved in his manner The captain was
last seen alive on Saturday night at 8
| CLOCK, when he asked the clerk for the
key to his room.
When chambermaid went to his room
sunday morning she found the door lock-
ed. Ihls was not unusual, and the girl
| went about her work in other rooms. Re
| turning to Capt. Ostheim's apartment, she
| found the door still locked. Then she re-
ported the circumstances to the office
| The clerks concluded that the captain was
| tired and desired long sleep and made no
| eHort 10 open the door until last night
Bullet Hole in His TempIe.
| Capt. Osthetm was lying on the bed
dead. AS stated, there was a bullet hole
In his right temple, and under his body
| was a new revolver.
| NNNe>s~AA1
about thirty-eight years ago. Soon after
joining the state militia he applied for
admission to the United States Military
Academy at West Point. He passed his
| examinations and graduated in 1888 He
| became second lieutenant of the Sd Ar
| tillery on June 13, 1883. His first service
| was at jackson barracks, La, where he
remained until 1855. He then secured a
| leave OF absence for year
| On his return to Seryica Liant OSfbaJ,,
| was placed in charge Of Fort Myer, Vir-
| ginia. He left that post on April IS, 1887.
and went to Washington barracks, in the
| District OF Columbia In 1888 he returned
| to the artillery school for practice, and on
May ~ 1891, became first lieutenant of the
"a Artillery. In 1898. he was transferred to
the 9Th Artillery.
When the Spanish-American war broke
out Lieut.. Ostheim was ordered to the Phil
| tppines.
On October 10 the Army Register shows
| that Lieut.. OStheim was transferred to the
| 1st Artillery as captain, and was probably
| assigned to E Battery, that was the only
battery of that organization serving in the
Philippines.
Capt. Ostheim's military history through
out is record of transfers to more impor-
tant posts and of promotions in rank.
Victim of Insomnia.
Mr.. Phister was notified Of the DEATH 81
am sure the captains death was caused by
an accident" said Mr.. Phister. He was
perfectly happy, and had made minute ar
rangements for his wedding tomorrow He
had even bought tickets for his bride and
himself to Cincinnati, which was to be the
first stage in their wedding journey. He
had given one ticket to Mrs. Wood, so that
she might get her trunk checked. The only
trouble the captain had to worry him was
| insomnia"
Jury Says 1t Was an Accident.
! CHICAGO, April "a verdict of death
by an accidental wound was decided on to-
day by the coroners Jury in the case of
Captain Louis Osthheim of the 1st United
States Artillery, who was found dead last
night in his apartments at the Auditorium
Annex. At first it was believed that the
death of Captain Osthheim was a premedi-
tated suicide, but no motive has been found
for such an act, and after listening to con-
siderable testimony the jury rendered Its