Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-07
Y ONE SHOT
KNoUoH Fo1 WALKER h HOP
x1Ag PyRPosEs
Suicide From Observation-Disclosures
the Rndy-Had Been in
wv Asylum.

through MS bicycle Inventions Is the Only
motive up to this tinap advanced as prompt
ing the suicidsi Saturday afternoon of Mr.
Walker r. Hopkins. who. until recently
was local letter carrier. The rash deed
was committed on "a footpath running from
the Chain bridge station on the Cabin John
bridge electric line to the river. The I'M
fortunate man recently underwent treat
ment at ST. Elizabeth's Asylum for the IN
sane and resided with his family at 321 18th
street northwest.
Shortly after O'Clock Saturday after
noon the report of a pistol shot rang out
in the vicinity of the Chain bridge. The
echoes of the shot were heard in all the
recesses of the rocks and hills of the river
at that point and caused some alarm among
persons who happened to be in the vicinity.
Howard Moten. Edward Jones and Joseph
Parker, all colored, of Halls Hill, Va, who
are employed at Smiths stone crusher
heard the shot and Immediately thereafter
started an investigation. AS they proceed
ed up the little path from the Chain bridge
they beheld in the distance the form OF
man stretched on the ground. Being con-
vlnced that the report of the pistol came
from the spot where the man lay the col
ored men hurried to the home of Mr.. Roll
Inns, short distance away Mr.. Rollins
was not at home but his wife asked a
man named Ferguson. who happened along,
to render what assistance he could to the
colored men. 800
The four men then approached the form
lying on the ground. 1t could be seen that
the man was dead. His mouth was wide
open. In the ROOT. OF the mouth could be
seen small hole. and at point near the
center of the top Of the head was another
hole. showing that the deadly bullet had
found its way through the skull. On the
ground beside the lifeless body lay a 49,
caliber revolver OF the bulldog pattern 1t
was warm from recent discharge. While
this hurried examination Of the body was
being made Mr.. = Ferguson went to the
High View Hotel, at the Virginia end or
the Chain bridge, and. after some little
delay, connection was made with the sew
enth precinct police station, In Georgetown.
The message was to the effect that an I'M
known white man had committed suicide at
the point above named,
Identifying the Body.
The police of the seventh precinct then
communicated with the authorities at the
morgue In the meantime the patrol wagon
Of the police station was dispatched to the
scene of the tragedy and the body was
brought to the Georgetown station, from
which point it was taken to the morgue by
Morguemaster Shoenberger. Up to this
time the identity. of the unfortunate man
was a mystery. AT the morgue Mr.. Shoen-
berger began search Of the clothing of
the dead man to ind something which
might enable the authorities to clear up
the mystery of,the suicide. In the trousers
pockets were found one dollar and inenteen
cents in money and an illegible pawn ticket
signed wv. r. H." and in the coat pocket
was discovered an. envelope addressed to
wv. R. Hopkins. CARRIER, Station E" The
clue to the mans identity was confirmed
bell, brother-in-laW, who Is also en-
plOyed as a letter carrier.
With the exception of the fact that he
talked incoherantly about his inventions,
there was nothing in Hopkins demeanor
Saturday which would have led any one
to believe that, he contemplated ending
his existence. oHe. ate hearty breakfast
Saturday morning, and about 1890 O'Clock,
after kissing his wife goodbye, left the
family home On 18th street southeast ex-
planning that heJwould be back to dinner.
1t is said thatGhe tried to get work at a
grocery near by5 but his eort was in vain.
Being Respondent. II is thought, he deeid-
ed to put an end to his life and with funds
secured by pAwntllg a trinket bought the
revolver withswhich he committed suicide.
The unfortunate man is said to have
suffered fromeihelancholia, which, together
with his desire to become rich. had I'M
settled hts brain. Last July Hopkins re-
signed his position at the Post Office. His
peculiar actions with bicycle resulted In
his arrest, with the outcome that he was
committed to St. Elizabeth's Hospital for
the Insane. Hopkins seemed perfectly ra-
tional the majority of the time while at
the institution and was paroled that he
might visit his home from time to time.
On such visit last Tuesday he expressed
would make application for reinstatement
the belief that he had greatly improved and
in the government service. He did so and.
1t is said was informed that If he could
produce certificate from the hospital au-
thorities he would have his desire granted.
Upon learning the circumstances attend
ing Hopkins death Coroner hewitt issued
a death certificate from suicide and ordered
the remains turned over to the family.
Hopkins was native Of Maryland and Is
survived by wife and two children.