The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-13
Doctors Gave Him No Relief and He
Put an End to Himself.
EFT HERE SUNDAY MORNING
Mr. Pfeteh Came Here from Cleveland and
Has Been Engaged as superintendent In
Constructing the Richmond and
Petersburg Eectr.e Line.
He Was In
married.

Mr.. J. T. Pfetch, superintendent OF
construction for the Cleveland Construc-
ton Company, which CON pany is huili-
ing the electric line between here and
Petersburg, shot himself in the head
with suicidal intent, in his room, at the
ST. James Hotel, in Washington. Monday
night about 2 o'clock and died yesterday
afternoon at the Emergency Hospital in
that city. Mr.. Pfetch left letter in his
room addressed to Mr.. F. G. Frese, who.
as vice-president of the Richmond and
Petersburg Electrical Railway Company.
was associated with him in his work
here.
In this letter. which was read to Mr..
Frese, over the long distance phone yes
terday afternoon. Mr.. Pfetch says: The
physician whom consulted here colt-
corning my health and the trouble with
which am suffering. gave me tine same
prescription as the doctor in Richmond.
saying l would have to quit work and
go to some health resort. and. as you
know, a man in my position cannot do
that. am sorry can't stay with you
until the road is completed, but the pain
in my head is intense. My wish is to
be cremated, and that there be no
funeral"
LEFT HERE SUNDAY
Mr.. Pfetch left Richmond Sunday
morning for Washington to consult
specialist concerning some catarrhal ar
fection with which he had been a great
sufferer for some time. The pain he suf-
fered seemed to be at the base of the
brain, and was constantly giving him
trouble. particularly for the last month
or more. The news OF his act came here
as a shock to- those associated with -hislf
in, the office, as nerergfor a moment 1hatf
they connected suicide with Mr.. Pfetcf1.
He was a peculiar man in many ways.
Silent, at times morose, and abrupt III
his manners, but with IL all was a great
worker, energetic and pushing in his
work. and by his company considered
one of the ablest and most conpeteut
men in its employ. on account of his
wide experience and practical knowledge
OF electrical and civil engineering
CAME FROM CLEVELAND.
Mr.. Pfetch came here last December
from Cleveland, Ohio, giving up Il posi-
ton there with E. L. Roberts Co., a
large engineering house in Lat city, and
since that time he had been Identified
with the interest of the Cleveland Con-
structon Company in the building OF the
Petersburg line. He was a familiar
figure along the line of the road. Ap-
peared at various times before the coun-
ellis of Richmond Manchester and the
Board of Supervisors of Chesterfield III
matters pertaining to the line.
Little is known here concerning hts
relatives, other than that he has sis
ter-in-1aw residing in Niagara Falls and
a niece, Miss Georgia Pfetch. who was
here with him for several months during
the summer as stenographer for the
company. with which her uncle was con-
nected. She is said to have married. re-
Gently. but where she has mace her
home is not known.zfG Mrs. John Pretcn,
in Niagara Falls. was wired yesterday
evening by Mr.. Frese of her brothers
death. and upon her Instructions ar
rangements for the departure of the re-
mains are awaiting Mr.. Frese Will
probably go to Washington to-day.
BORN IN GERMANY.
Mr.. Pfetch boarded at No. 2m East
Franklin Street. having previously kept
house there with his niece.
He was about thirty-seven years or
age. was born in Germany. but came to
America twenty-five years ago. In ms
earlier days he was associated as pri-
vate secretary to Congressman Scott,
of Erie, Pa. Afterwards he went to Cali
fornia, was raitroading. mace a large
! fortune in q short while, but in some
way his interest became involved in Itti-.
CATION. and is said now to be tied up.
In the courts. He was an honorary
member of the Persian Inventors, Aca-
denny, for his inventions in electrical ap-
| pliances. Mason of the thirty-sscond
degree. He was never married.
My. Frese. who received the lirst news
OF Mr., Pfetch's death here at O'Clock.
was in Washington yesterday morning
on business, and spent an horr or more
in the st. James Hotel. where the
tragedy occurred. hut heard notlting
| Of the affair. and came en- TO Richmond.
| thinking Mr.. Pfetch was here. having,
| returned from Washington MONDAY as
he had expected to Go upon leaving
! Sunday.
There is no intimatfon here that MS
I act was prompted by any other trouble
l - 80, 80 f,.rl