The Washington times., 1905-10-14
EX-ARMY OFFICER
SHOOTS HIMSELF
Puts Seven Bullets Into
Back Of His Head.
SAYS 1T WAS ACCIDENT
Policeman Who Investigated Case.
However, Is of Opinion That
SAYS 1T WAS ACCIDENT

Il was fooling with a revolver in
my room a little while ago and had
an accident Won't you telephone for
a doctor?'
With seven bullets in the back of his
head, his nightclothes crirnsoned. and
so faint from loss OF blood that he
could scarcely stand. Major Charles J.
r. Pierce. an ex-army officer, but now
an inspector in the District Water De-
partment. ftfty-five years cid. staggered
TO the clerks desk in the Everett Hotel.
l13o II street northwest. shortly after
o'clock this morning, making the
above statement and request
few seconds afterward, the man fell
on the floor. completely exhausted.
Policeman Elgin. of the Third precinct.
was summoned. and in a few moments
he had the ambulance from the Emer-
gency Hospital. in charge OF DIR. Mudd,
at the hotel The physician made a
hasty examination, and stated that he
did not think Major Pierce would die
as result of the bullet wounds. which
were all within space the size of a
dime. and an inch above where the hair
ended
Major Pierce was hurriedly convened
to the Emergency Hospital, where DR..
Mudd extracted three OF the bullets
without any trouble. The other four are
believed TO be lodged between the scalp
and skull, and will probably be taken
out this afternoon.
Native of West Virginia.
Major Pierce has been employed in the
District Building for several years, hav-
ing come well recommended and with a
clean record from the army. His ma
tive State Is West Virginia. and he
spends most of his vacation time there
He Is well known to most OF the prom
inent army and navy officers. and has
been a frequent visitor at the Metropoi-
itan and Army and Navy Clubs. where
he has many friends.
The housekeeper in the Everett Hotel.
where Major Pierce has had a suite OF
rooms for many months Informed
Sergeant Judge. of the Third precinct.
that he lMajor Pierce) had been drink
ing continually for about six months
Sergeant Judge said this morning, II
saw him intoxicated on the street vcs-
terday and last night. too"
So far as is known Major Pierce did
not own a revolver. The weapon with
whlch the shooting was done belonged
was always kept in the desk behind the
counter in the front Office
Major Pierce was in the habit OF
night and morning through the back
alley the housekeeper said to Ser
geant Judge during his Investigation
after the shooting this morning
Although IL is not positivelv knou.r
at what hour he reached the hotel r.
Is surmised that 1t was between and
CLOCK, because persons were in the
office at the first-named hour. and
Major Pierce had not returned but
about O'Clock some one was hoard
walking up the steps to the seventh
moor "nere the water inspector has q
suite OF rooms
Securing the Revolver.
The front door OF the hotel was
closed when Major Pierce arrived and
he entered through the rear one. II Is
believed that he crept to the clerl,,s
desk. slid UP the rolling top. and took
out the -22-caliber revolver loaded with
seven bullets. With this In his pocket
he walked up the steps to his apart
ments
Although Major Pierce did the sboot-
ing in the front room of the seventh
floor. on which other persons lived NO
one on the street or ia the hostaIry,
heard TIE reports OF the pistol Tt.
shooting evidently occurred about 2.ao ~.
O'Clock THIS morning, because Or.
Mudd. judging from the condition of tha
wounds and the blood on the mars
clothes and neck. said the bullets baS
entered Major Pierce's head about three
hours prior to his removal TO the hos
pital. O'
About 7:15 o'clock this mornig. Major
Pierce walked down the steps TO he
second floor. and knocked on the door
Of .he housekeeDcr's apartments. and
told her the same thing as he did the
clerk The woman was frightened and
closing her door. hurriedly completed her
toilet. Major Pierce then went TO the
clerks office. where he collapsed and
sank TO the floor.
At the hotel Major Pierce said: ..It.s
Continued on Second Page.)