The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-01-10
COMMITS SELF MURDER /!
Phiilq Rkhter Becomes Tired Of Life and
tnds 4 All by Sending 4 Bullet
Crashing Through Ills Brain.

feeling OF horror passed over the
city yesterday afternoon when the
report became current that Philip
Richter, the tailor, had committed
suicide by shooting. The scene OF
seif-destruction Is about bali a mile
east OF town, Just across the Lemhi
River. The report OF the seIf-mur-
der was brought up town by one OF
the Austrlans, who live In that To-
callty.
The man who made the discovery
speaks English very imperfertiy, and
at once came up town To tind some OF
his countrymen before it could be
ascertained the nature OF his news.
He found one OF mis- roonmates at
Mr.. Bowden's saloon, to whom he
gave the particulars OF his discovery
The other Austrian interpreting his
statement, stated that there was a
dead man lying by the side OF the
fence at the old slaughter house.
After describing the corpse 10 vas az
once 3scertained-that 1t was Phillip
Richter.
Coroner kenney was at once noti-
fed, who went TO view the remains,
impressing Into service Ed. william
son and G. Il. Bolton. The latter
was instructed TO remain TO secure
team, which was accomplished In
few minutes. several accompanying
the team To the scene. Dr. kenney
and Mr.. Williamson states that so
far as they we're able 10 Judge, frum
the position In which tie body was
found, that Richter had evidently
been standing, leaning with his right
arm on the fence when he nred the
shot. The body was lying ON It's
right side, with the face Ia the snow.
| The brains and blood were scattered
on the top rail OF the fence, making
most gruesome sight to those who
we're unaccustomed to such specta,
eles.
When the body was turned over the
revolver was found under the corpse
which Indicated that the wea pom fell
from his hand, when IL was discharg-
ed. IL was Il thlrty.two. six cham
htr affair, With i've chambers loaded,
and one containing blank cartridge.
The wound Is Just above tho right
ear, the revolver being held SO close
"a. the bead that the white crush hat
was badly powder burned. DIR. Ken
ney, after viewing the remains, con-
cluded that 1t vas such a self-evident
case Of suicide that an inquest was
unnecessary, and at once turned the
body over 10 Undertaken pattison.
The body was brought up town and
no~ lies In pattison's morgue.
The Austrian states that he was
hauling load OF hay through the
slaughter yard, and while passing
through the gate his team SHE'D,
which caused him 10 investigate for
the cause. He soon saw the body OF
a nan lying about dfteen feet from
the gate along the fence. He at once
came TO town and gave the alarm.
Since the tirst OF the year the sui
eide has been on spree, and IL is
said he stated few days ago that if
he could not break away from bis
drinking habit he would jump 10 the
Salmon River and end it all.
II Is reported that 4 few days ago,
while Ia conversation with Frank
Lewis, he offered 10 deed his placer
property at GlbbonsviIle, ia liquida-
tion CT debt OF few dcllars which
be owed Mr.. Lewis.
Mr.. Lewis stated that he would not
consent to this. but Richter could
pay the bin when lie got able To do
so. Mr.. Richter then said be would
sell the property tor 300. and would
do 50 turning the money over To him.
Nothing was thought Of the threat
at the time, considering IL but the
saying OF a drunken man. From
this remark II Is evident that IL Is a
ptemeditated case OF self-mursier,
and not from the impulse, OF mo-
ment
The victim OF death by bis cwn
hand Is German by birth, but has
evidently been 10 this country a
good many years. Ed Williamson
has known him for the past ten or
twelve years, auG from him We
gained what few particulars we are
able 10 give OF his history. Last
night search was made Of his desk
and private papers to see II anything
could be- found which would give an
idea OF his reasons for doing away
with himself, but their search was
fruitless
Mr.. Williamslou.states that 10 their
conversations Richter gave him very
little Of bis past life. He has worked
at bis trade az various places Ia the