The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-11
BLEW HIS BRAINS
OUT IN HOTEL
P. J. MHITEHURST A SUICIDE
YOUNG MAN FROM BALTIMORE
SMOKED WHILE HE SHOT

Lying on n Sofa in the Pulaski
House, Pulling a Cigarette, He
Took His Life-Was Under
the Influence of Liquor and This
lie Assigned M the Cause of His
Rash Act-SPent His Last Money
for Cigarettes md Beer.
Calmly smoking a cigarette. while
lying on a sofa, in the sitting room
at the Pulaski House yesterday after
noon. Percy ]. Whitehurst OF No. 1914
Mount Royal avenue, Baltimore, plac-
ed a revolver to his temple and blew
his brains out.
Startled by the shot the hotel clerks
and porters rushed into the room and
found the burning cigarette and
smoking revolver on the carpet at the
head of the sofa. A stream of blood
was running from the wound in the
young mans head just above the left
ear. and life was extinct. Physicians
were summoned, but death had been
instantaneous.
Coroner Keller and the police were
notified, and an examination of the
body was made. There was nothing
by which the suicide could be identi-
fed. however and it was several
hours before it was determined who
he was. On a slip of paper in one
of his pockets was found the name
and address: John D. Grange, 1913
Barnwell street, Columbia, S. G." His
clothes, of good texture, were unmark-
ed and he had only a cent.
Initials In Indian Ink.
On the left wrist in Indian ink were
the letters P. J. w. AT the base of
the left thumb was a star. Although
the initials on the wrist did not CORE
spond with the address on the slip of
paper the police department tele-
graphed TO Columbia to learn the
whereabOu of Grange.
1t was learned that he was at home,
but had been in Savannah about six
weeks ago on his way from Baltimore.
The dead man wore straw hat that
had been purchased in Baltimore and
this was the first inkling the authori-
ties had that he was from Maryland.
1t was learned that only a minute or
two before he shot himself he had en-
deavored to use the telephone, and it
was by this means that he was finally
identified
Cigarettes and Drink.
About five minutes before he killed
himself Whitehurst entered the Pulaski
House bar and got mug of beer. He
took his time in drinking the beer and
gave the bartender a nickel. He lean
ed against a post in the saloon for a
minute or two and ordered a second
mug of beer, and pack of cigarettes.
According to the bartender the young
man took his time. said nothing and
did nothing to attract attention. He
lighted one of the cigarettes, paid 10
cents and left the saloon, going into
the hotel. 1t was not until he walked
out that the bartender noticed he was
under the influence of liquor. At The
hotel desk he attracted only passing
notice and nothing was thought of his
going into the sitting room. near the
elevator.
startled by Shooting.
wards when those in the hotel lobby
were startled by pistol shot coming
from the room into which the young
man had gone. Whitehurst had pressed
the muzzle of a new Smith g. Wesson
32-caliber hammerless revolver to his
temple and pulled the trigger
He was a handsome young fellow,
neatly dressed and of pleasant man
ners. His garments were new and he
appeared prosperous. although he had
spent his last money for the beer and
cigarettes. That his rash act was COM
mitted because of his intoxicated con-
dition was evident to the coroner and
the authorities after they had COM
pleted their investigation, Coroner
Keller decided that an inquest was not
necessary and the remains were moved
TO the undertaking establishment of
Thomas Henderson's Sons.
Was Popular Young Fellow.
Whitehurst came to Savannah several
days ago from Button, to visit
friends here. He was popular with
those whom he met and there had
been nothing i'm his conduct to show
that he was respondent.
He had been about a great deal
and during the Spanish American War
served with a Virginia regiment. Be-
cause of the fact that he had relatives
in this section he was not mustered
out at the point of his enlistment, but
secured his discharge i'm this city.
His mother was notified of his tragic
death by telegraph, and the remains
are held pending instructions from
Baltimore.