The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-28
SIX SUICIDES
IN EIGHT DAYS
GPuesOme Record for a
Week and a Day.
DE LASHMUTT'S FATAL SHOT
Motive of His Act Thought to Be III
Health-Other Self
Destroyers.
DE LASHMUTTS FATAL SHOT

Six suicides in eight days is the grue-
some record established by respondent
residents Of washington The latest
was put on record last evening when the
body OF Lynn o. De Lashmutt, we'll
known real estate operator, was found
in a room al the Columbia Hotel. l4l5
Pennsylvania Avenue northwest He had
shot himself in the head.
IN addition TO De Lashmutt - present
epidemic OF suicide had found victims
ia the following:
Lloyd Gtiser, twenty-three years old 9,
an insurance agent, shot himself sun
Gay, June 10, In bath room at his home.
"a. Florence Street northwest.
Mary Gillian. nineteen years Old kill
ed herself Monday. June 70. by swallow
ing carbolic acid.
James J. Greble. money clerk Tor
the United States Express Company on
June 20. blew his brains out with re-
Volves.
r. A. Bensch died at the Emergency
Hospital, from effects of morphine pois-
oning, June p
Peter Becker. gardener at Mount Olivet
Cemetery, hanged himself in the green
house sunday last.
Was in Bad Health.
1t is believed De Lashmutt was prompt
Cd toend his life on account of illness. For
several years he had been suffering from
an incurable malady, and had been
drinking heavily during that time. Last
Friday he was arrested Tor creating
disturbance, and refusing TO pay coal
bill, and when taken to the First pre-
cinct station made the remark that he
was getting 100 big and that he was
''Ured Of il all
A charge of insanity was made against
De Lashmutt by q relative. and he WAS
committed 10 the Washington Asylum
Hospital. for an eXamina ton of his mem
tai condition. This examination result
ed IL his being pronounced Of sound
mind.
Last Seen on Sunday.
He was last seen alive early Sunday
morning when he retired 10 his room at
the Columbia Hotel. His failure to APP
pear about the hotel on Sunday was not
considered significant, and the servants
were given instructions not 10 disturb
him.
1t was not until o'clock last evening
that his body was discovered. At that
hour William Burk a negro waiter.
went 20 the room. and falling TO gain
response after repeated knocking. went
into an adjoining chamber and looked
over the transom into De Lashmutts
distinguish the body lying on the bed
and upon closer observation saw the re-
VolYer clutched in the mans hand with
the muzzle held between his clenched
teeth.
Sound Was Muffied
An investigation OF the suicide devel-
Oped that De Lashmutt had shot himself
while sitting on the bed. 1t is probable
that the report Of the pistol was mufiled
by the mUzzle being thrust so FAR in
his mouth, and consequently was not
heard by the other guests.
De Lashmutt was IOrty-rve years old,
and lived at 1874 ThirIy-liTst Street
northwest For fifteen years he had
been engaged In the real estate business
In the city, and was well known in
business circles His Office was al 1i21
@ Street northwest. Tie is survived by
q widow ard three children
Funeral services over Mr.. De Lash
NUTS body win be held tomorrow az
ternoon- Interment Will be in Oak Hill
Cemetery