The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-09-18
DAUGHTERS SEE
HIM END HIS LIFE
Robert Caldwell Kisses Chill
dren and Shoots hims elf.
Observation-Disclosures DRINK
MAN WAS WIDELY KNOWN AS A
FOOT RACER,
LAI HILE in the presence Of his three
wv little daughters. who were play

tAE hILh III the pfeScitce ol MS -tniec
w little daughters. who were play
ing at his bedside. Robert G..
Caldwell, residing at 4 Ontario avenue.
shot himself through the head about
$50 o'clock yesterday afternoon and
died a few moments later in his wife's
arms.
AS he entered the room few min
Gtes before he committed suicide be
handed each one of his little girls a
silver coin and kissed them tenderly
He leaned on his elbow, stretched out
on the bed and for moment watched
them toss the silver pieces into the
baby's lap. Then. throwing himself
back on the bed, he reached into his
hip pocket. pulled out a new SS-csl-
her revolver. which he had purchased
an hour before. pressed il 10 his left
temple and shot himself
His wife, who was working in the
kitchen, heard the shot and ran 10 his
bedside. he partly raised to his ell.
bow. and as his wife threw both arms
around him he sank back dead on the
bed
The neighbOrs rushed into the house.
to find the wife lying on the bed with
her dead husband. and the three little
tots crying for their papa.
Caldwell returned from Idaho on La
Dor day and since that time has been
constantly under the influence Of Ii
quOr Day before yesterday he lost
500. the last Of his summers wages,
and had no more money to buy liquor
lie was SOLDERING up yesterday when
he committed suicide, and had become
Respondent over the loss Of his money
and because he was on the verge of a
nervous collapse from his heavy drink
ing.
Dead Man Foot Racer
Caldwell was a professional foot
racer and had toured the state and
the northwest making matches. He
was we'll known in his profession and
at one time was considered the fast
est man in the country This summer
he spent in Idaho running foot races
and came home about two weeks ago
with $500 or $500. On Labor day he
won dash at Callers park for side
bet and that night started TO drink.
Since that time he has not been at
his home more than once or twice
until he gambled away his last dollar
day before yesterday He gave his
wife part of his money the day he
came back. and after losing all he had
came TO her for money. She refused
10 give him any and he started to
sober W..
Yesterday morning he was in such \
physical condition that he was unable
to leave his bed. but about noon ne
went up town He came home an
hour later with prescription and
asked her for $40 TO have it filled. He
pleaded with her iOr' an hour and she
finally gave him the money. to get the
prescription filled
BUYS Gun to End His Life.
He took his Oldest child, Stewart, !
boy u years of age. and left him at
the Sanitarium while he went up town.
It was then that he purchased the
weapon with which 10 kill himself and
returned to the Sanitarium TO call for
his boy. He took the child home. and
as they went INTO the kitchen he said
TO his wife:
Il got my prescription filed all
right. and 1 think I viii take a rest"
He told his wife that he had not
spent all the money. and as his chill
dren scrambled upon his knee. he gave
them each a silver dollar. He talked
to them for a few moments and then
kissed them all gOOd-by, saying that
he was going To sleep. AS he went
into his bed room. Agnes. Eleas and
Maggie. his three little daughters. fol-
lowed behind him and cried to come
Agnes. the eldest who is about years
old. opened the door and all three
marched up TO their fathers bed. They
sat down on the rug TO play with their
silver coins, when the father ended
his life
Drink Causes His Undoing.
Robert Caldwell was ~ years OF age
and came here from Canada about
twenty years ago. He married Miss
Agnes Stewart over fourteen years
ago. and leaves family of four chill
dren. Caldwell was a nurseryman by
trade. but several years ago became a
heavy drinker and has wandered
about, making money al foot racing.
His body was removed to Joseph
William Taylor's undertaking parlors
by Justice Of the Peace Frank Clark
ard he decided that no inquest would
be necessary. The wound was eX-
amined at the undertaking parlors and
il was found that the bullet went
through his brain and came out just
bOve the right ear.
No arrangements have been made
as TO the burial