The Washington times., 1907-12-26
Had Often Threatened
to Take His Life
When Drinking
Pistol IgniteS Bedding
and Body Is Badly
Burned.

HOpelessly despondent because
Of his wife's death, and, il is al
legged, stricken with remorse at his
manner OF treating her during her
life, Frederick Luch. a structural
iron worker, living at 313 N street
northwest, committed suicide at
about 2 O'clock this morning bv
shooting himself through the heart.
When his body was found, under
meath the bed was his faithful little
dog which had been smothered
while watching over its Iifeless
master.
The single bullet pierced the lower
portion Of Luch's heart, inAicting a
wound from rhich the man died al
most instant :.
The explosion from the revolver
ignited the bedding on which the
man lay, and this was found to be
on fire about o'clock this morning.
His Body Burned Badly.
When the FIRE was discovered the
slowly smoldering bed covering had
burned LCch's body 10 a crisp.
his left foot was burned until II
hung TO his leg by a mere shred OF
flesh, and his legs had been 50 terribly
roasted By the slowly burning flames
that they scarcely bore any resemblance
20 those OF a human being.
Since his wife's death several months
ago Luch had been growing more and
more morose and despondent. He fre-
quently informed the neighbors OF his
Intention 20 destroy himself. but as
weeks went by his threats were simply
regarded as the talk OF a man crushed
by sOrrUw, and little heed was given
them
Unkind to Wife, Say Neighbors.
Nelghbors say that previous 20 his
wife's death Luch was an unl1lnd m
feeling husband. They declare that the
woman was a loving and devoted wife.
and that Luch's harsh treatment was
the primary cause OF her death. Only
when she became 50 III with consuup-
tic1 that she was unable 10 move did
Luch show her any kindness. they say.
Hardly had her funeral been held than
a complete change seemed 10 come over
the man. he gave up his work and re-
mained az home a great part Of the
time brooding over his wife's death.
Occasionally he would leave the horIsa
70 return later considerably the worse
for drink, and it was usually then that
he announced his determination 10 kin
himself
Last night Luch told Mrs. Emma
Waters, living next door to him. OF hfs
intention TO kin himself
A tho time OF the nnUV-n~g. 4F1,.
waters had met LuCh in the street ia -
front Of their adjoining houses ard
noticing the peculiar puffed appearances .
OF ms face, suggested that he see a
doctor about H.
His Last Conversation.
There's no need" responded I.uob
thicHly. and with emotion. Pm sicl,
Of this business. III end the whole
thing tonight"
Mrs Waters entered her home with
out giving the matter any further
thought as she had heard the threats
before and attributed Luch's emotion to .
drink. That was the last time Luch
was seen alive.
At what time he shot himself viii
never be known. When his body was r
found early in the morning II had the
appearance Of having been without lie
for several hours, but the FIRE had so
dishgUred il that the exact hour OF the
shooting cannot be determined As
nearly as can be learned, the man had
been dead since about , o'clock.
Dog Smothered Under Bed.
Luch's little dog. which was in the
house at the time, crawIed under the
couch, where It was found by the police
men in the course Of their fnvestiEa-
tiOns, smothered by the smoke from the
burning bedding
Coroner hewitt was notified Immediate
" after the discovery and sent the
body to the mOrgue, where an inquest
Will be held either this afternoon or to-
morrow.
The police are making an effort to
communicate with the only living rela-
tive Of the man. Warren w Cote. who
IS now with Admiral Evans feet on its
way TO the Pacific