Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-25
UNCONSCIOUS WHEN FOUND
Death Resulted at 8 O'Clock in
Emergency Hospital.
BUT FEW CENTS IN POSSESSION
Believed He Had Lost Money at
Races-Was a Resident Of
Clintondale, N. z.

Charles W Schmidle, about sixty years
of age, who came here Friday from Clin-
tondale, N. Y, committed suicide by
shooting himself in the head while he
was seated in Lafayette Park. 1t Is be-
lieved the shooting occurred about 1
o'clock this morning, although the dying
man was not found until about b o'clock
Mrs. Elizabeth Walker, colored, living
at 1449 Corcoran street and employed as
a charwoman In the War Department,
discovered the dying man where he lay
in the park. while she was on her way to
work.
Mrs. Walker at first suspected the man
was intoxicated and had fallen asleep. but
when she got near him she was startled
at the sight Of a pool of blood and the
glistening barrel of a revolver, the weapon
being near his right hand.
A few minutes later the police were ad-
vised of the discovery and Sergt. Lee OF
the first precinct hurried to the park. The
ambulance was summoned from the
Emergency Hospital and the dying man
was conveyed to that institution. DR.. Il.
c. Hef1ebower, who went to the park with
the ambulance. saw at q glance that the
wounded man was beyond recovery.
There was a bullet hole in the right side
of his head. the ball having penetrated
the brain.
His. Wife Notified.
Death relieved the unfortunate man
shortly after o'clock this morning. Di-
rections were given for the removal Of
the. body to the morgue, and the police
sent a message to Mrs. Schmidle advising
her of har hyc
for directions as to the disposition of the
remains. Sergt. Harrison, who was ON
duty at the White House, heard the re-
port of a pistol about o'clock this morn
ing, the report coming from the direction
OF the park, and the revelation made by
Mrs. Walker convinced him that he had
heard the report of the fatal shot
When the wounded man reached the
hospital Policeman Turner searched his
clothing. He found his name and an
entry in a check book which made it an
pear conclusive that the case was one of
suicide and not Of murder. The entry
read:
my address is c. W. schmidle, Clinton
dale, Ulster county, N. Y, where I have
a wife and sister. Mrs. w. Michaelis."
The finding of a grandstand ticket in the
pockets of the clothing indicated that he
had attended the races at Benning Satur-
day afternoon. and the fact that he had
but 81 cents in his pockets caused the be-
lief that he had killed himself because of
loss of money on the races. Tax receipts
that had been made out in the name of
Charles Schindle showed ownership OF
property 17S South Elliott place, Brook
lyn. check book on the Brooklyn
Trust Company was also found in the
pockets of Schmidles clothing. an entry
having been made to show a balance OF
S219.S3 During the investigation Of the
affair the police found the man had sign
ed his name c. W. Smiddle. this. the police
believe, being the name under which he
was known by his friends. Schmidle SEEM
ed to have feared a mistake would be
made in the reading Of his name as he
had written it. and he printed it In an
other place to show it was schmidle.
Guest at Local Hotel.
1t was learned that Schmidle came 10
this city some time last week. He regis
tered at the National Hotel Friday after
noon. and was assigned to a room on the
third floor. Saturday he attended the
races, returning to the hotel early that
night There was a receipt for a register
ed letter found among his effects. the re-
ceipt showing he had sent his wife SIS
Friday night. Schmidle was at the break
fast table at the hotel Yesterday morning.
going to his room afterward to shave. He
ing, leaving his shaving material upon
the dresser Persons in the hotel saw
him moving about the lobby shortly after
II o'clock.
Where he went after he left the hotel
the police were unable to ascertain this
morning. 1t is believed. however. that
he rode out on one of the suburban lines.
probably going to the river. 1t is thought
he wandered about in the rain last night
brooding over his troubles and loss Of
l.
himself.
Detectives Make Investigation.
Detectives Warren and Mullen made an
investigation, Inspector Boardman desir-
ing to make certain that the New Yorker
had shot himself. The detectives found all
the circumstances indicated that Schmidle
had taken his own life. The revolver had
been purchased by Schmidle at the store
of Jacob Schapirio, 9O5 D street, Friday
evening shortly after he reached this
city. He visited the store in a public ve-
hicle. the same as was done by George
washington Ewell of Tennessee. who
killed himself in the vehicle near Pennsyl-
vania avenue and 10th street about two
weeks ago. When the stranger entered
the store he asked for a Colts revolver.
but finally decided to take cheaper
weapon.
He purchased an liver Johnson revolver.
paying SIS for it, and also bought five
At first he said he wanted only
four cartridges, it being his desire, he
said, to have the hammer on an empty
chamber. He changed his mind. however,
and had all five chambers filled, remark
ing: II may need all five of them"
Schmidle made no effort at the store to
conceal his identity, telling the clerk in
the store that he was stopping at the Ma
tional Hotel. The fact that the weapon
was purchased Friday causes the police to
believe that Schmidle contemplated suicide
at that time, the presumption being that
it was contingent upon his failure to
make winning Saturday.
Telegram From Brother-in-Law.
Maj Sylvester received a telegram from
W. Michaelis, brother-in-law of the dead
man, this afternoon, saying the wife of
the dead man and his sister had been
notified of his DEATH He also stated that
he would come here to take charge Of
the body.
House Democratic Caucus.
The democratic caucus for the selection
Of minority candidates for House offices
will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday after