The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-10-07
PLANTS A BULLET
IN WRONG PLACE
JOHN DlMlTROViTCA MEANT TO
SHOOT HIMSELF IN THE HEART,
BUT GOT IT IN THE NECK.
FOUND IN DYING CONDITION
Unhappy Love Affair Is Said to Have
Caused Bartender to Plan His
Self-Destructon.

John Dinitrovitch a bartender. enl-
ploycd by Andrew Bcrgcson proprietor
Of the Halfway saloon OF South Arizona
street shot himself this morning shortly
before 8 o'clock with intent to commit
suicide. 1t is supposed tha, Dimitroviteh
was disappointed in love and was de
sponden,.
Dimtroviich was found few minutes
after the shooting. lying on the bed in his
room at 43I South Main street. lie was
still breathing when DIR. Hall arrived to
dress the wound in his neck.
Planned Suicide Well.
1t was apparent that the intended sui
eide had planned the act well. lie had
removed his coat and vest aud thrown
back the covers of the bed Judging from
the powder marks on his shirt Dimitro-
witch had held the revolver close to his
breast, several inches above the heart.
Whether his hand was unsteady OF
whether the bullet was detected is not
known, but the bullet entered his neck
just above the collar bone and lodged
aYainst the spinal column.
By his side lay two prayer books-one
in English and the other in Austrian. 1t
before he committed the desperate act
The revolver. a 3S-calibcr weapon OF
the lver- Johnson pattern. was lying on
the bed, where it had fallen from his
nefvcless hand.
He Was in Love.
Dimtrovitch left no letter to explain
WY he had tried to take his own life.
ln one OF the prayer books was the name
Of a young lady who lives in Arizona
street On several scraps of paper and
on the cover of pastcboard shoe box
was this same young womans name,
written together with the name OF John
Dmitroviich.
II vas penned ia lasty, nervous
scrawl, and was evidently the pcnmanshp
of Dmiirovitch.
Friends OF Dimtrovitch stated that he
was very much in love with thu young
lady and that her foster parents had re
fused to allow him to call
DIR. Hall had the wounded man removed
70 ST. james hospital.
The patient showed little signs OF life
save for a spasmodic ireinor Of the limbs
| occasionally.
Peculiar at Times.
John Dimiirovitch formerly worked as
a porter and later as bartender n,
Fitschen Bros saloon in South Main
street. lie was always faithful worker,
so his former employers say, but al times
was peculiar. About six months ago he
was discharged
This morning shortly before ; o'clock
Dimitrovitch came into Fschen's saloon
| and badc the bartender, Bob Sanders,
| goodbye. He askco for a gun which is
| usually kept back of the bar, bot was re
| fused.
why do you want gum" asked
| Sanders.
I'm going to shoot myself" was the
| reply, and Dimitrovitch proceeded 10 say
| goodbye to everybody in the saloon. lie
| nook hands all around and then started
\ ont.
When he had reached the door he
| looked back and shouted
| Take good look al me. for This is
\ the last time you will see me alivc!"
| Thought 4, Joke.
| Asked why he did not inform an officer
I Of Dimitroviich's threat to take his own
! life, Sanders stated that he believed
| Dimitroviich was joking.
! Sanders said that Dimitrovtch had
\ often spoken OF killing himself, and as
! nothing ever came Of il before. he rfd
i not think there was any cause for alarm
/ this morning.
Dimitrovitch is member OF the Butte
| Bartenders' union and Of the Peter and
! Paul society of Anaconda.