Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-28
Eugene Grissom, Prominent
Physician, Commits Suicide.
BECAME DESPOND T
FIRED SHOT THROUGH HIS BRAIN
YESTERDAY MORNING.
Was a Member of Several Fraternal So
cieties and an Ex-Confederate
His Career.

DR. Eugene Grissom, seventy-one years
old a former resident of North Carolina,
where he was superintendent of the state
insane asylum for a number of years, COM
mtted suicide by shooting himself yester-
day morning at his home, No. 1887 G street
northeast. 1t was about o'clock when he
fired the fatal shot, and death ensued at
the Casualty Hospital forty-fve minutes
later
1t is stated that Dr. Grissom had been de-
spondent because ne had been unable to
practice his profession in this city. He was
in an extremely nervous condition also, his
nervousness resulting, 1t is said, from the
use of morphia. DR.. Grissom was well
known in medical circles throughout the
country as an insanity expert. He had
written several books and had gained
prominence in medical socities, where his
works were frequently consulted. A num-
Der of years ago he was a candidate LOT
the position of superintendent Of St Eliza
beth Hospital for the Insane, but was
beaten by DIR. Nichols who afterward died.
Two years ago DR.. Grissom came to this
city, after having practiced his profession
for nearly fifty years. 1t was his intention
to engage in practice here. Finding 1t
necessary to undergo a rigid examination
which he feared he might not pass, al
though his ability could not be questioned.
the home Of his son, Eugene GrisSom, Jr.,
who is clerk In the census office.
Retiring from an active life, the doctor
became respondent, and 1t Is stated he was
compelled to resort to the use of morphia
to enable him to sleep. The habit grew
upon him to such an extent that druggists
were requested not to sell him any opiates.
Neighbor Witnessed the Shooting.
Recently he had been denied such drugs,
1t is stated, and yesterday morning he
walked out for few minutes, and return
ing to the house he occupied a seat on the
front porch. Across the street from him
neighbor named oliver was seated in front
of his house. He saw the doctor when he
stepped upon the porch and took his seat.
AS soon as he had apparently made him
self comfortable he raised his arm and the
report of the pistol shot followed. Rushing
across the street Mr.. oliver reached the
dying man before the latter had fallen
from the chair. He took the weapon from
the hand of the victim and summoned the
latters son from the house. The latter
came to his fathers assistance, and the
wounded man was carried into the house.
Drs. l.. d. Walter and Storey reached the
house a few minutes after the shot was
fired. While DR.. GrissOm was unconscious,
the action of his heart was good, and the
physicians found the bullet had not entered
the BRAIN in which event there was a pos
sibilty of saving his life. In a few minutes,
however, the patients condition showed
that there was no hope for him,
but in order that everything possible might
be done the removal of the wounded man to
the hospital was advised. The ambulance
was summoned and he was taken to the
Casualty Hospital, where he died a few
minutes after his arrival,
Coroner Investigates.
Coroned hewitt made an investigation Of
the case later IN the day and gave the nee
essary death certificate. An undertaken
moved the body from the hospital to the
family home. from where his funeral will
take place Tuesday. Where DR.. Grissom
obtained his revolver his relatives do not
know. They are making an effort to ascer-
tain.
DIR. Eugene Grissom was born In Gren-
Vile, n. c., where his early life was spent.
His father, Wylie Mangum Grissom, was
anxious for him to become a physician, and
sent him to the University of Pennsyl-
vania, where he graduated with highest
hOnOrs. He was made a captain of a con-
federate volunteer company during the civil
war. While in the service he received
severe wound, and before he was able to
leave the hospital in Richmond he received
notice of his election to the legislature in
his native state. He served his state In
such capacity for number of years. was
member OF the constitutional convention
and was afterward prominent in republican
politics. Three years after the close of the
war Dr. Grlssom was appointed superin-
tendent or the asylum at Raleigh, which
position he held for about twenty years.
During the time he was engaged in active
practice DR.. Grissom attended many i'm
portant medical gatherings, and was at one
time vice president of the American Medi-
cal Society. He refused nominations for
Congress and the governorship.
Former Attempt at Suicide.
From North Carolina the doctor went to
Denver, Col, where he was In charge Of
mining camp. 1t was while living In Dem
yer that his health failed, and where 1t is
stated. he once attempted his life by taking
chloroform. Following this experience he
was treated at the Pueblo Asylum, and
when he recovered he expressed wish to
come to this city to live with his son and
daughter-in-law.
DR.. Grissom was a thirty-third degree
Scottish Rite Mason, as we'll as an Odd
Fellow Knight Templar, Knight of Pithias
and also Fellow of the Royal Order Of
Scotland. He leaves five children Eugene
Grissom. jr., of this city and Miss Lillian A.
Grissom, trained nurse,w also lives
here. Another daughter is Mrs Harry
Ruffner Of Denver, while still another is
Mrs DR.. Rucker of Basalt Col. Robert g.
Grssom, son, is in the drug business in
Cripple Creek.
While living in this city Dr. Grissom at
tended the Douglass Memorial Church at
11th and II streets northeast The pastor
of that church, Rev. S. NJ Hartsock will
ofhciate at his funeral. Members Of the
local Masonic bodies will attend the fun
lr "a he int ~