Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-02
LUCKETT NEAR DEATHS DOOR
SELF-INFLICTED WOUND MAY
SOON PROVE FATAL.
Patient at the Hospital, With Little
Prospect Of Recovery-Wants
to Die,

Mrs. Gertrude Luckett came to the city
from Laurel. Md. this morning and called
at the Emergency Hospital to see her hus-
band. Raleigh f. Luckett. who attempted
suicide in the front room of the Garrick
Club. I347 Pennsylvania avenue. yesterday
morning by shooting himself as stated In
yesterdays Star. The wounded man was
In unconscious condition when she
reached the hospital and was therefore I'M
able to recognize her. Earlier in the MORN
ing he was conscious. and made several
labored efforts to speak to his relatives
but. it is stated. he was suffering from a
severe internal hemorrhage. and the blood
was fast filling his lungs. making 1t ilnpos-
sible for him to speak. His condition be-
came so serious that the physicians were
compelled to give him an opiate before
noon
1t was thought yesterday afternoon the
condition of the patient would be such this
morning that an operation might be per-
formed and the bullet removed. The par
ents OF the wounded man were given a ray
of hope and were encouraged when they
went home from the hospital last night.
There were several turns noticed in the
condition of the patient during the night.
and at an early hour this morning it was
realized that a hopeless fight was being
made for him.
Tired Of Life.
lie pdllcut expressed no regret IOf MS
act, telling his relatives and friends that
he had become tired Of life and he wanted
to die.
all will soon be over"
His relatives sought the best surgeons and
had all arrangements made for the removal
of the bullet. but there came a change In
the condition of the patient which rem
dered useless any operation. 1t was stated
that the wife of the wounded man had not
rgv,Aa -.
she left him and went to Laurel to spend
the summer. taking their two little children
with her. but when she received the mes
sage telling of what he had done she hur-
ried here this morning to see him.
Luckett lost consciousness without saying
anything as to the cause Of his rash act.
His relatives surmise that he brooded over
domestic troubles. Despite the fact that
he and his wife had been separated since
the last of April. It Is stated. he seldom
discussed his family affairs with his friends
or relatives. 49,
Shows Signs Of Mental Worry.
When he reached the city yesterday. it is
stated. he went to the clubrooms and took
a seat at the front window saying nothing
to those who entered the room and showing
|evidences Of mental suffering. Those who
entered the room while he was there no
ticed that he did not seem as If he wanted
to converse with anybody. and they did not
disturb him.
Members OF the immediate 1amlly ana
number of friends have been about the hos
pital most of the time since the wounded
man reached there, all Of them anxious to
be of assistance While he was conscious
Luckett seemed as If the presence OF his
parents and brothers and sisters COM
fcrted him. He was especially fond OF his
brother, Joseph Luckett. the manager OF
the Columbia Theater, having requested
that he be notified Of the shooting when
persons in the clubrooms went to his as
sstance.