Evening star., 1901-03-11
Daniel P, Leeoh,a Well Known Book
binder, Commits Suicide.
HEAD NEARLY SEVERED FROM BODY
Rash Act Said to Have Been Re-
suit of Domestic Troubles.
WAS A UNION VETERAN

has been employed in the government print
ing Office since 1874, committed suicide at
his room in the house of ]. F. Martin, No
455 street northwest, since Saturday
night, at a time not definitely known, Ly
cutting his throat with a razor. His dead
body was found in a closet In the room
about noon today, his head being almost
severed from the body. 1t was apparent
that death had occurred many hours be-
fore the discovery was made, probably" Ss t.
urday night or yesterday.
The condition of the room and the closet
indicated beyond a doubt that he had ex-
perienced considerable difficulty in end
ing his life. That he attempted to use
a revolver, and did use knife, before he
welded the razor there seems to be no
doubt. A revolver found on a shelf in the
cupboard was smeared with blood, as was
a penknife that was picked up near where
his body was found. The mans cuffs,
with blood. 1t is said his act was the le-
suit of domestic trouble, as is shown in
letters found in his room. These letters
were from his wife, who has been sepa-
rated from him since New Year day. She
Is in Philadelphia with her child.
The deceased had an interesting war rec
ord and was prominently connected with
the Grand Army of the Republic and the
inent in Masonic circles, having been a
member of B. B. French Lodge, No. Is, f.
A. A. M; Columbia Commandery and Co
lumbia Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1. His
most intimate friends who knew of his do
mestic troubles were not wholly surprised
when they learned of his self-destruction.
Enlisted at Age of Sixteen.
Leech was native of Philadel-
phia. where he was born about 1s45. When
he was but sixteen years old he enlisted in
the army and served until the close of the
war. For about ten months he was a pris-
oner at the Andersonville prison, being
finally exchanged for confederate soldier.
He went west after the war and learned
the bOokbinding traue in Chicago. Some
time after he became a journeyman he
moved to New York and worked for a short
time. Finally, in 1874, he came here to ac-
cept position In the government printing
office, which position he continued to hold
until his death. With his wife and child, he
lived at No. 81 E street northeast for
about five years. New Year eve he accom-
panied them to Philadelphia, but returned
without them. Shortly after he came back
he rented the third-story back room in Mr..
Martins house and took his meals at din
ing rooms.
was steady-going man of exemplary hab-
its. He was always in his room before 8
o'clock, and he was usually so quiet that
other roomers in the house seldom saw or
heard anything Of him. Mr.. Martin, the
proprietor of the house. had not seen him
during the two months he occupied the
room.
Since his return from PHILADELPHIA he had
received many letters from his wife. and
he brooded over these, it is said until he
was almost sick. Friends had done the
best they could to cheer him, but they eyf-
IDENTIFY did not accomplish very much He
returned home after leaving the office Sat
urday afternoon and later he went out to
dinner returning between and O'Clock
Yesterday when Mrs. Martin went to his
room she found the door locked. She went
TO the door several times and finally con-
cluded the occupant had attended to the
room himself and had gone out to spend
the day.
Shortly before noon today Miss Josephine,
Martin went to the rear room on the top
floor only to find the door still locked
When she told her mother that the door
remained fastened the latter went to the
room.
Key on the Inside.
The key was on the inside. and when Mrs
Martin finally opened the door she ex-
pected to see the man in bed, believing he
had died. If dead, from an attack of heart
disease. When she found the bed had no
occupant her heart failed her and she walk
ed away from the door.
Her daughter entered and there in the
closet was the mans body In a pool of
blood and lying in a cramped position
have the door closed, but that it was
forced open by his foot when he fell
such was the condition of affairs when
William Schoneberger, Superintendent of
the morgue, and Policeman Hayes visited
the house.
There was considerable blood in a china
basin on the washstand, and q towel was
thrown carelessy over the basin Judging
from the condition of the clothing and
other articles in the room it is believed
that Mr.. Leech made three attempts before
he finally succeeded in ending his life, first
using his penknife. After he had hacked
his throat he is supposed to have changed
his mind. The wounds thus inflicted were
washed in the basin. In doing this his
trousers had been besmeared with blood.
as well as his cuffs.
Next he made an effort to use the re-
volver, it is thought for there was evi-
dence that the weapon had been snapped
but the cartridges failed to explode The
revolver was then placed on the shelf in
the closet, and the knife was thrown care
lessly on the floor. After going into the
he proceeded to use the razor.
Bank Book Among Effects.
The terrible condition of his throat
showed that a number Of cuts had been
made, and the victim must have fallen
from exhaustion. He certainly lived but
few minutes at the most after he fell.
Among his effects was bank book show
ing he had an account of about $500 with
the American Security and Trust Com
pany in this city. He also had in his pos
session $l42 in cash and pension check
for one quarters allowance. Many letters
from his wife were found in the room, as
well as one from James Carson, a produce
dealer, at stalls 80 and "a Broad street
market.
In this letter to Mr.. Leech he spoke of
prospective divorce proceedings, and gave
him what appears to be intended as legal
advice. He advised him to keep all letters
he received from his wife, Eetain copies of
those he sent her and to be careful what
he said in his letters. Mention is also
made in the letter. OF Mr.. fLeech's WASH
ington attorney.
In the letters from his wife he was in
formed she could stand his treatment OF
her no longer, and she also stated to him
that she was not made of iron.
The babys cheeks are as red as roses"
she said I'm one letter. and he's as lively
a Bird
1t was evident that the woman never in
tended to return to her husband, and that
some legal proceedings were about to be
taken. The body was removed to the
morgue and Coroner hewitt will give a
certificate OF death from self-infiicted