The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-21
H. CHARLES HUMPHREY
DIES BY HIS own HAND
Continued From Page One.

from the dining-room without another
word.
MAKES APPEARANCE
IN ST. LOUIS.
I'll. Charles Humphrey was 80 years old
and was native Of Southern Missouri.
he cume to st Louis twelve years ago
from West Plains. Mo-. and entered the
choir of the Central Christian Church. on
Ftnney avenue. near Grand avenue. 1t was
here that he achieved his reputation. and
first became known as singer of rare
voice and ability. The congregation took an
especial interest in him. and some of the
wealthy members assisted him in perfect
ing his education. He went to Europe and
studied in Florence. Italy. and In other
Continental cities. Upon his return he be-
came u member of the Second Baptist
Church quartet and he retained this posi-
ton.
When he returned from Europe he be-
came musical instructor and professional
singer and has appeared in almost every
concert of prominence in st. Louis In the
last five years. He was we'll known
throughout the State and frequently filled
engagements in other cities and towns. Two
years ago he was central figure at the
Saengerfest in Columbia. Mo-, and he has
sung ut Sedalia, Macon, Moberly and many
other Missouri towns.
In his career In the Second BAPTIST
Church choir he WAS connected as a vocal
list with many well-known singers. among
them MIS-. George Lee Cunningham Mrs.
Oscar B0lman. W. NJ. POrteous and sew
eral years ago with Miss Jessie Ringen.
then n contralto in the Second Baptist
cho:.
UNREQUITED LOVE
MENTIONED AS A CAUSE.
His health has been failing lately. accord
nj friends
There was no occasion for his suicide or
for dependency through business troubles.
as he had fine business. and his prospects
were of the best. 1t Is believed that his Ill
health was produced in part by sorrow over
an unrequited attachment which he is said
TO have formed for young lady of this
city about three years ago. 1t is known
that he was ardently devoted TO her at the
time. and although they have not been seen
together for the last three years, 1t Is
thought that he was still in love with her.
His suicide. however. was surprise to
his friends and acquaintances. He had
several classes scheduled for "Wednesday
morning. and but half an hour after his
body was found his pupils commenced 10
arrive.
Tom Granger. the mulatto who has
charge of the Conservatorium, gave the fol-
lowing account of his discovery OF the body:
81 came down to the Conservatorium
about oclock this morning and opened up
the place to give it an airing. 1 did not I'M
lock the front door though. but opened the
east door. which fronts on the carriage
drive. suppose Mr.. Humphrey must have
come In that way. as his doors were locked.
FOUND DEAD By
NEGRO PORTER.
AT half past some young gentle
man. whose name DON'T know. rang the
front door bell and asked to see Mr..
Humphrey. j saw that his reception-room
door was open. so showed the young man
in. Then / walked to the studio to see II
Mr.. Humphrey was there. / found him ly
ing near the west windows with q gun--a
A Colt believe-on the floor by his side.
II called to the young man that Mr..
Humphrey had been shot and he seemed
very much put out and left right away. 1
ran TO Doctor Broome's office and the doc
tor came over ut once and said that Mr..
Humphrey was dead. Then l called the
police. Officer Croniu came In. Mr. Hum
phrey left a letter to me lying on the piano
and one to his mother alongside 1t. The
police took them both to the Coroner's
office
mir. Humphrey has been out of sorts for
the last two weeks. Wednesday he talked
In sort of discouraged way. He told
couple of days ago that he was going to
quit. but did not say what he meant by that
asked him what would become Of his
pupils. and he said that he would iakc
arrangements for them. That was the last
time he spoke to me before he killed HIM
self He must have come In at the side
door this morning. as the front door was
locked"
His sister. Miss Rose Humphrey. stated
that he had been very sick on Monday. and
that she was certain ill-health was the
cause OF his act
Last Monday he was 20 terribly Ill from
an attack OF heart trouble" she said. that
feared he was going to die. He got better
finally. and said that he was going to .ele-
phone to some Christian Scientist friends
of his to be ready to treat him. He then
went out. but do not know where
She addsd that she was ignorant Of The
Christian Science congregation where he
usually attended
His mother had not read the letter which
he left for her. when seen, and only said
that she was at an utter logs to account
for his action as he had given no intima-
tion Of any such intention at home, al
though he had seemed sick and Respondent.
She was also ignorant Of the congregation
he attended. She and the other members Of
her family attend the Baptist Church.
HUMPHREY WAS
A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST.
Alexander Henneman. the musician. a
personal friend Of Humphreys. stated We'd
attending Christian Science congregation
held in the Turner Hall at Twentyseventh
and Morgan streets. He had heard several
persons refer To the fact that Mr.. Humph-
rey went there at times to be treated for
his nerves From their statements, Mr..
Henneman added, 1t appeared that Humph-
rey's nerves troubled him before a concert.
James A. Logwood, chairman of the
Board of Publicity of the. Christian Scient-
lists OF st. Louis, stated Wednesday that he
was not the member Of the faith to whom
Humphrey had telephoned for treatment ut
various times, but that he had frequently
talked Christian Science over with Hum
phrey and that the latter had seemed to
take great interest in the faith. Had Hum
phrey accepted the doctrine he would not
have committed suicide. said Mr.. Loswood.
In regard to the alleged attachment Of
Humphrey for a certain young lady, MIR.
Henneman acknowledged that he had heard
OF 1t. but said that he believed 1t was
thing of the past.
For three years have not known him to
mention the young lady except as singer"
said MIR. Henneman. "and from what l un-
derstand his admiration for her was more
OF professional admiration that anything
else. He was great admirer of her voice."
Mrs. K.G. Broaddus, under whom Humph-
rey studied for short time and whose
studio adjoins his, could throw no light on
his suicide.
The studio in which he committed suicide
is on the west side of the Conservatorium,
the latter the studio is Immediately behind
the reception-room. The place has heavy
folding doors and 1T is supposed that the