The Washington times., 1905-06-05
LETNATE IN DEATH
SAME AS IN LIFE
Subsisted as RecIuse and
Killed Himself.
NO LOVE FOR HIS FELLOWS
Cousins and Other Relatives Could
Never Break Reserve in Which
He Concealed Identity.

AS he lived so did F. w Letmate
die-apart from his feIlow-Ineu, and far
from his home and friends. His rela-
tiVes and old-time acquaintance in this
city learned ate last week that Let
mate. the eccentric. for many years
ieweler on T street, had committed sui
eide by shooting himself in the head in
lonely forest near Milwaukee, Wis.
He lived during the last two years of his
life with Mr.. and Mrs. L W Grace. 176
Thirty second street, Milwaukee. and he
styled Mrs. Grace his niece though
Washington members of the deceased's
family are unable TO account for the re-
lationship.
Born in Germany
= W. Letmate was born in Germany
III 1886, and ten years later came with
his parents to this country. I4etmate,
ST., opened a jewelry store at 507 Sew
enth street northwest. and when his
wife died ne married one of her sisters
Upon his death in turn his widow re-
married, ard when left widow for the
second time she conducted the business
at the original stand. AS an employe of
his stepmother young Letmate, then
nearing the end of his teens. entered
upon his apprenticeship and in time be-
came an expert jeweler. All his life,
II,
few, ii any, of his acquaintance be.
caDe close friends
carl Petersen, jeweicr at 924 T street
northwest, and the 1atter's brother
Diedrich. are cousins of Jletnate, and
Carl in particular learned his trade at
the same bench with the suicide. yet
Eelther Of the brothers ever gained
thcir relatives confidence
AS long as knew hin said Died
rica PETERSEN yesterday. 7 do not re-
cali having talked with him TO the ex-
hal s1a Il.
at one time. In later life he seemed to
develop 4 married fondness for the
frefch. language. and he learned 10
speak II finently. English he also spoke
carefully and correctly. out German his
mother tongue. he seemed somehow to
lose, and in it he copid only converse
hrokeTly. Many times 1 have passed
hlFE1 on the street and I would never
sfeak, because knew that speaking
sonid after@ward @ require an .explana-
@e called him. could recognize me-
Cousin Avoided Him.
Yes. I am his own cousin" Mr.. |
Petersen explained, but his memory |
for faces was SO poor that most of his /
acquaintance tired of reintroducing |
Themselves to him every time they en-
countered him."
From various sources il was learned |
that Letmate went 10 New York and
conducted a jewelry repair shop there |
for about twenty years, when. in 1870. |
he again came to Washington and /
opened the store on Z street. adjoining |
the Ebbitt House, where he remained I
until about five years ago OF hts stay
in the metropolis Letmate never spoke |
As far as known ne never had a |
home in this city other than q tiny !
room behind his F street store. and |
when the press Of the times forced him /
out OF that he. retired with his cher |
ished tools and lived. hermit in |
great city, alone in bare room in an |
office building in Fourteenth street be- !
tween T and 6. During his business
career 1etmate never sought the com
pSBy OF others in the trade or OF his /
ccuntrynen, some of whom are yet in |
business in the city.
Were Never Intimate.
Jacob Karr. proprietor of the Twen- /
tieth Century Cafe, but for many years I
z jeweler. knew Letmate for years, but
never intimately. c. W. Spfer. jeweler |
on Ninth street, had similar experiences /
with the recluse 10 relate Carl Peter /
sen. the cousin, did not even know that |
Letmate had left the city. although. ac- +!
cording 10 all accounts, he must have |
gone as long as two years ago.
Hints of possible romance are given !
10 the suicide in Milwaukee. where 1t is /
stated that Letmate left behind him a |
package OF letters which. at his last
written request, were buried with him.
His acquaintances here declare that
Letmate never married. nor was he ever
known to have a, sweetheart IF he did |
have an unfortunate love affair Il was
during his stay III New York. His rela-
tiyeS here have announced their inten-
tion OF writing to Mr. Grace with
whom Letmate spent his last years
and strive 10 learn more of the manner
OF his death and the causes leading 10
the suicide.