Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-05
TOOK HIS own LIFE.
THE SUICIDE OF WALKER II. MOSS
IN PETERSBURG YESTERDAY.
ENTERTAINED MIGHT BEFORE.
Triend. Departed After Midnight
and the Hosts Body Found in the
a1orninE-Act Was Deliberately
Planned.
Planned.

PETERSBURG, VA, December A.
Observation-Disclosures II. Moss, aged about
q wears a well-known and successful
tobacco buyer of this city, committed
suicide by a shot through the head, at an
early hour this morning, at his home
on Washington street, and all appear
ances indicate that the act was calmly
and deliberately planned and executed.
The Young man was the son Of the
late Thomas D. Moss, for many years
prominent and respected tobacconist here,
and who lived with his mother, on Wash
inston street who for several days past
has been away from home, visiting
sick sister in Mecklenburg county. Ter
nants in the house are Mrs. w. T. Peed
and son.
HAD A PARTY THE NIGHT BEFORE.
Last night Mr.. Moss had several friends
as guests to play a social game of cards.
They departed shortly after midnight,
leaving Mr.. Moss in good spirits. Mrs.
Pecd was awake at the time, ard heard
the plea ant good night pass between
host and guest as they separated. That
was the last seen OF Mr.. Moss alive. His
body was found in the wood-house this
morning by the little son of Mrs. Peed.
Mr.. Moss had gathered UP some bed
clothing. and carrying a lamp to light
his Wav went out to the wOOd-hOuSe in
the backward There he carefully ar
ranged q pallet drawing two short blocks
of wood together, on which he placed
pillow Then, pulling Of his coat and col
Iar, he stretched himself upon the ped
ding and fired bullet through his brains
This is supposed to have been about i
o'clock. as about that time Mrs. Ped
heard 4 muff1ed sound, which may have
been the report of the pistol. though II
aroused no suspicion Of anything wrong.
A PISTOL IN HIS HAND.
When Mr.. Moss was found not to be IN
his room this morning, search was made,
and the body was discovered in the
wood house by Master Peed. who quick
ly gave the alarm. The body was lying
on the right side, covering the right arm.
On being turned over a pistol, with one
| chamber emptied, was found grasped IN
| the right hand, the ball from which nao
| been fired through the right temple, just
! back Of the eye. Death had evidently
| resulted very quickly, as the body was
| cold.
| no cause can be assigned for the act,
| except possible financial worry. 1t is said
| the Young man attempted suicide by as
| phvxiation night before last, and was
| only saved from death by the timely dis
covery Of Mrs. Peed, who being aroused
! by the odor of gas, made prompt llFes-
tieation. Young Moss was found nearly
srupafed by gas in the Kitchen where ne
! had stretched himself on pallet on a
! able. and turned on the gas from the
| cooking range FIc revived from TINS ana
| explained that it was a case OF ACCIDENT:
| He was down town yesterday, and taihesl
freely with his friends about his narrow
escape from asphyxiation.
| HAD RECENTLY MADE MONEY.
/ MI. Moss was a liberal buyer OF to-
bacco, and is reported to have madt
money within the past week. But ne was
a free spentier and withal very liberal
| hearted man.
Besides his mother, who has been notl
| fed OF the sad occurrence, the oeceaSeo
leaves two brothers, Charles MOSS %
| Norfo1l1 and Robert Moss, of Paducah
Nv. No inquest was deemed necessary
| He purchased the pistol with which ne
! killed himself last Tuesday.