The Washington times., 1901-11-13
ILLNESS CAUSES SUICIDE.
j. F. Pfetch, Of Richmond. Va,
Kills Himseifin Local Hotel.
Unable to Get Relief From fiaIady.
Ends His Troubles With Re
voIver-A letter Announcing Cause
of His Deed Left by the Dead Man.

Despondent over the prospect of fur
ther protraction -of the Illness for wh!cn
he had been unable to obtain relief. J. F..
Pfetch yesterday ended his troubles by
discharging a bullet through his brain.
The missile entered back of the right
ear, and after passing entirely through
the head, emerged just above the right
eye. The shot was fired in his room at
the St James Hotel a few minutes be-
fore o'clock in the morning. The sui
eide died al the Emergency Hospital
shortly before o'clock IN the afternoon
without regaining consciousness.
He was about forty-live years of age,
and came from Richmond, Va, where ne
was the superintendent Of construction
of the Richmond and Petersburg Elec-
trio Railway. He was Mason. and the
body VIII probably be taken charge Of
by one Of the local lodges Of that order
until friends can he heard from.
Mr.. Pfelch arrived ia Washington Sun
day night and registered at the St.
James Hotel. lie stated that he expected
to stay three or four weeks and asked
for a comfortable room. The house was
crowded and he was assigned to a small
room for the night. but the following day
was given a large, well-furnished room.
ment. and evidently possessed Of all the
available money he needed. But little
was seen Of him. and nothing was learned
as 10 who and what h was.
Shortly before O'Clock yesterday morn
ing the watchman Of the hotel, George
Arthur, was startled by three pistol shots,
fired in rapid succession. He traced the
noise 10 a certain corridor. where a guest
opened his door and said that they
seemed to come from the room adjoining
This room was locked, and no reply was
made TO repeated knocks. The odor Of
powder was detected near the cracks in
the door, and the night clerk, who was
notified. called in Policeman Mullen.
Entrance into the room through win
dow was then forced, and il was found
that Pfetch was lying across the bed with
a bullet hole in his head. He was un-
conscious, and by his side lay q small
- callbre revolver. lie vas fully dressed,
and the bed had not been occupied
Every attention we given tns injured
man by the hotel employee The amDu-
lance from he Emergency Hospital WAS
quickly summoned, ia which ne was re-
moved to that Institution. When placed
upon the operating table IL was found
that the bullet had entered back of the
right ear. and. passing entirely through
the head, emerged Just above the right
eye.
Mr. Pfetch had but little luggage with
him, his baggage consisting OF dress
suit case ana an oveEc1at He had about
So in money and check for 50 ia his
pocket. Mr. Pfct-h wore a Masonic
charm on his watch chain, and had hand
some cuff buttons. From his cOrrespon-
dcuce il is believed that he was connected
with some street railroad enterprise in
the vicinity OF Richmond.
His reason for self-de esiructIon was
made evident in a letter. in his hand
writing, signed by him, dated November
H. and directed To- IF. G. Frsse. esq, Y
South Ninth Street Richmond, Va,
found in his room. il was written on the
regular letter head OF the hotel, and read
Ny Dear Mr.. Frcse: 1 have seen the
doctor and had long c0nsultI ion. The
prescription Is the saTne-tc go to some
health resort and get regular reatmcnt
for two or three y onths which is impos-
siblc for me TO do considering n present
circumstances.
'Catarrb and malaria have done their
work. The pain IN the back Df my head
Is intense and my strength is all gone.
am exceedingly sorry could not hold out
until the road was finished, and save you