Evening star., 1901-03-28
BULLET THROUGH HIS BRAIN
CHARLES MOMM, ASSISTANT PATENT
EXAMINER, COMMITS SUICIDE.
Was Craxed by Suffering, Which Re-
suited From an Attack of
the Grip.

SHdTleS MOmnl, tnlrty-CWO years oIu, WHO
was first assistant examiner in the pat
ent office. committed suicide at his home.
No. 631 Elliott street northeast, about 7:30
o'clock this morning by shooting himself in
the head. The bullet entered the right side
OF his head above the ear and passed
through the brain coming out on the oppo-
site side. He had an abscess in his head
following an attack of the grip, and had
been unable to sleep. Because of his nerv-
GUS condition and intense suffering, it is
believed, his mind was unsettled, and that
to that his rash act was due. Drs. Walter
and Story were summoned to the house,
but they were unable to do anything for
the victim death claiming him in a short
time after the shot was fired Coroner
hewitt made investigation of the case
and gave the necessary death certificate.
Mr.. Momm was in apparently perfect
health when he accepted the position In
the patent office, about eleven months ago.
Five months later his health began to fail
and then he was attacked with the grip.
This left him in a precarious physical con-
dition. and he consulted specialist. An
abscess formed near the base of the brain,
and this it is stated, gave him more trou-
BILE than did his other ailments. He man
aged to keep up his spirits, however, until
he became unable to sleep. His nervous
ness caused him to make a remark to a
friend which indicated that his mind was
not exactly right and induced the fear that
he might take some violent means Of end
ing his sufferingS.
Yesterday morning he rested nearly two
hours and in the afternoon felt somewhat
improved. Last night, however, he was
unable to sleep, as he had been for several
nights, and this morning his condition was
as bad, If not worse, than ever.
Hears Report of Weapon.
Mrs. Mom,n arose as usual, and shortly
after o'clock she took her two young
children with her to the kitchen and closed
the doors between the rooms in order that
the little ones might not disturb their
father. During the night the wife had kept
watch over the patient. She feared he
was losing his mind, although she had no
suspicion that he would commit suicide.
About ten minutes after she left the bed
room she heard the report of a weapon.
Hurrying to the sleeping apartment she
Saw at a glance that her husband had
shot himself. On the bed beside him was a
thirty-eight-caliber revolver, and blood
was streaming from two wounds in his
head. He was unconscious, and in few
minutes he was dead.
The revolver with which the deed was
committed was kept In the drawer of the
sideboard in the room. AS soon as his wife
and children left the room it is evident the
sick man got out Of bed and procured the
weapon. Then he returned to bed, got un-
der the cover and fired the fatal shot.
After the coroner had given a certifi-
cate of death the body was prepared for
burial. The funeral arrangements will not
be made until the arrival of the father of
Of the deceased from New Jersey.
Native of Prussia.
Charles Momm was born in Prussia, and
when he was twelve years old he came to
this country with his parents, who went to
live at Newark, N. J. After graduating
from New Jersey college, the young man
went to Birmingham, Ala, where he en-
tered the shops of the Hardie-Tynes foun-
dry and machine shop. He was soon made
foreman Of the works, because of his skill
and commanded a salary several hundred
dollars a year in excess of what he re-
ceived here In the service Of the govern
ment. The work in the Alabama shops was
too hard for him, and he came here to get
rest. Since coming here his former en-
pioyers have written him several letters
asking him to return. and he would proba-
bly, have complied with their wishes had
his health been restored. He spent six
years at Birmingham.
The 1th of May Of last year he reported
for duty at the patent office, and while
there he worked under Mr. r. G. Simpson,
chief of the division having charge Of rail-
way brakes appliances and rolling stock,
where he proved himself to be an efficient
clerk in every particular. and where he
made great many friends. Mr.. Simpson
called to see him several times during his
illness.
About six weeks ago the father of Mrs.
Momm died and her husband went with
her to New Jersey to attend the funeral
Mr.. Momm had not been at work since the
18th of the month although he had not
been confined to his bed much of the time
The father Of. the deceased, it is stated, is
now living at Elizabeth N j. and he Will
reach here late this afternoon. 1t Is ex-
pected that the body will be taken to New
Jersey for interment.