Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-14
BULLET INTO HIS BRAIN
JOHN w. KELEHHR, LOCAL LIVERY
MAN, COMMITS SUICIDE.
Suffering From Disease and Worried
by Business-Ralfef That His
Mind Was tUnbaIanced,

John w. Keleher, fifty-three years old.
who had been in the livery stable busi-
ness In this city foro many years, ended
his life about o'clock yesterday afternoon
by sending a bullet into his brain, at his
home, No. OIL Massachusetts avenue north
west. His wife, son and daughter were the
only other persons in the house at the time.
1t is said Mr.. keleher had suffered from
kidney trouble for several years and had
undergone several operations Because of
the suffering he had experienced and the
anticipation of months, and perhaps years,
of pain. it is believed his mind had become
affected. In addition to physical pain, he
had been under a severe mental strain,
due to the settlement of the estate of his
father, who died several years ago. After
the death of his father Mr.. Keleher and his
brother conducted the business on sth
street until about six months ago, when
they sold out at public auction.
Shortly after dinner yesterday Mr.. kele-
her went away from home to attend to
some business. When he returned his wife
met him at the door. There was nothing
unusual in his demeanor, and after con-
versing with his wife a few minutes he
went upstairs and entered the sewing
room, as had been his custom, to read the
evening paper. This small room was fitted
up with sewing machine and several
articles of furniture, including a single
bed. Mr. Keleher had often gone to this
room during the afternoon to rest on the
bed near the window, where there was a
good light by which he could read. He
wrote no letter SO far as could be ascer-
tanned, nor did he make any effort to dis
pose OF any Of his property, and in no
other way was there any warning given of
the tragedy which followed He had been
In the small room only a short time when
ms daughter, while passing through the
hallway, heard the report of pistol shot.
instead OF entering the room to make an
investigation she summoned her mother
and brother, and the three members of the
1amlly went on tour of investigation.
Discovery of the Body.
The rear room that had been occupied
by Mr.. keleher was first visited and next
the members Of the family entered the
sewing room. Mrs. Keleher was first to
pass into this room, and as soon as she
saw her husband she directed her daughter
to summon doctor. Neighboring phySi
clans, who We're sent for, were not at
home, and DIR. Brown of 9O2 18th street
was summoned.
About the time DR.. Brown reached the
house, Dr. Beale of the Emergency Hos
pital also arrived. They found that the
bullet had entered the brain and had
caused almost instant death. The doctors
discovered that the bullet had entered the
right temple, the pistol having been held
so close to the head that the skin was
burned by powder.
The affair caused considerable excitement
in the neighborhood, and a large crowd
gathered about the house. Coroner hewitt
viewed the body soon after death occurred
and gave certificate OF death from self
inflicted wound.
Charles keleher brother of the deceased,
who Is In business in Philadelphia, was
notified Of the affair, and he came here to
assist In making the funeral arrangements
The deceased was a native Of this city
and was we'll known in business circles.
Mrs. keleher and four children survive
him. Undertaken Lee prepared the body for
burial.
The funeral will take place from the
family residence at o'clock tomorrow af-
ternoon. lnterment will be at Mount Oil
vet cemetery.