Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-31
TAKES HIS OWN LIFE
OTTO SCHILLING Whales H.
ILLUMINATING GAS.

After carefully putting his room in order
and writing several notes and checks.
which he left lying on the top of his
bureau. Otto Schilling. said to be a chemist
and a maker of optical instruments. COM
mitted suicide some time last night or early
this morning in his room at 122 c street
northwest by inhaling illuminating gas.
The dead man was about forty-five years
old and a native of Germany, and is said
to have relatives in this country and
but few friends
Miss Mary Wilson, from whom Schilling
rented his room at the street house, said
she knew of no reason Why her lodger
should have ended his life. he had al
ways appeared to be in good health and in
the best of spirits. and far as she knew
he not worried financially. He had
been rooming al the house seven years.
but during that time he seldom talked with
any else in the house, and few persons
ever called upon him.
Schillng's body was found in a rocking
chair, directly under the gas jet, by Dr.
Edward Bury, an uncle of Miss Wilson,
about IL o'clock. he having been attracted
to the room by the odor Of escaping gas
Policemen Vermillion and Sprenkie of the
sixth precinct were informed of the trag-
edy and the ambulance from the Inner
gency Hospital was summoned. and when
Dr. White. who accompanied the ambu-
lance, examined the body he said the ma n
had been dead several hours. The coroner
was notified. and after giving certificate
Of death from suicide had the body taken
to the morgue.
Leaves Three Notes.
1t is believed the dead man had suffered
some secret sorrow. He left three notes
one of which was written in German The
composition of the notes was evident that
the man was perfectly cool and delbera te
up to the time he placed the rubber tube
which he had purchased for the express
n lie ifa hatr
and sat back in the rocking chair to wait
for DEATH
One note read. II feel as il something
awful is going to happen to me- l wish
Anton Lerch would do last good turn by
burning up papers in my trunk. Signed
Otto Schilling
The other one read. II consider the baron
the most straightforward person I am tho
weakling Poor Mrs. Case, how will 1t be
for you. Can you forgive me? Nobody but
myself is to blame for this. &. l.. s. check
is lost. or burnt up with papers, or torn 4"
Signed Otto Schl!ing.
The note, written in German was more In
detail than these two notes. There were
two checks dated December 30 One for
$50. payable to the order of Anton Lerch.
: the dyer and cleaner of S26 10Th street
northwest. The other was for S10 payable
to Miss Wilson. his landady
Mr.. Lerch's Statement.
| When Mr.. Lerch was asked by Star re-
ling. and what motive he might have had
for killing himself. he said he had known
| the dead man for a number of years. bur
declined to disclose any of his history or
venture any opinion that would throw light
! upon the secret distress of Schillng, which
caused him to resort TO self-destrurtion
Mr. Lerch appeared to be greatly con-
cerned when informed of the suicide. He
said he would disclose any facts he might
| possess when he could confirm the news
Mr. Lerch stated subsequently, that
| Schilling came to this country from Carls-
| ruhe, Baden. His mother resides here
| and Schilling paid them visit few
months ago. MIR. Lerch says he knows of
| nothing which will explain the mans rash
act
] He was always cheerful among his friends
| and gave no evidence of being despondeat.
| The baron referred to in one of the
notes. according to inmates OF the street
| house. was close frie: ds of the dead man.
| and fr .quently called 10 him
| Mr. Sch!ling was fully dressed when
| found The tube was ted TO the gas JET
| by black necktie. On the bureau was a
| razor opened and recently sharpened a Il
the police believe that tie suicide prepos, d
! to Use II upon himself to finish his act If
| the gas lad proved unsuccessful.