The Washington herald., 1907-04-16
L. N. WALTER SUICIDE.
Former Manager of Plumb
ing House Shoots Himself.
FAILING HEALTH THE CAUSE
Enters basement of Hotel and
Fires Bullet Into His TempIe-Had
Recently Left sanatOrium Where
He Was Closely Guarded-Leaves
Wife and Two Children,

Despondent over his continued mental
and nervous breakdown, Henry NJ. Wal
ter. former manager of the Z, &. Schafer
Plumbing Company, committed suicide at
oclock yesterday afternoon in the base
ment Of the Raleigh Hotel by shooting
himself with "a revolver. The bullet en-
tered the mans temple, causing instant
death. He leaves a wife and two sons, the
older OF whom is about six years of age.
The man appeared perfectly normal on
entering the room. ana exhibited no signs
which tended to attract the attention of
the attendants about the place. Selecting
an out-of-the-way corner. Walter drew
the weapon. which he had recently pur-
chased. and, placing it TO his head, pulled
the trigger
William Butler. an emplOye Of the es-
tabiishment. rushed in the direction of the
shooting and found the man stretched at
full length face downward on the floor
The hotel officials Immediately sent for
the Emergency Hospital ambulance. At
tempts were made to aid the man. but
on arriving at the scene DR.. Sutton. Of
the hospital staff, announced that he
was dead. Omcers Messer anS Vermillion
guarded the body until Coroner hewitt ar
rived.
Note of Explanation,
/ On searching the mans clothing a
newly opened box Of cartridges. from
which but two were missing, was found.
along with a note which the man had
probably written just before committing
the deed. The note which was almost
/ llegible, written on a small bit OF paper,
stated that, because of his wrecked nery-
Gus system. which had caused him TO
withdraw from active business, he mad
! chosen TO end his life
/ T. @. SChafer. a brothcr-in-iaw OF the
+ man and his former employer. was nou-
fed about the matter and promptly hur-
ried TO the hotel. At his direction the
body was carried TO an undertaken g
where il was prepared for burial
The report of tho shooting was hardly
audible on the main floor Of the hotel. and
/ only those OF the guests who witnessed
the body being carried from the place
were aware that anything had happened.
According TO the statement made by Mr.
schafer Immediately following the Incl
dent. Walter had been troubled With q
nervous and mental breakdown for som'
time, and had been under medical care
About six months ago he was sent q
DIT. Wright-s sanatorium. al Forest Glen
Md. where he remained for about TIVE
months.
Put Under Guard.
At the end Of this time he returned &
his home but not showing any improve
ment. was placed under medical attention
( again. this time al a sanatorium ~ Relay
Md, where he was closely guarded. tn
doctors recognizing the fact that he wa
! / in a serious condition and likely 20 d
himself harm.
About two weeks ago Walter Feturne
from the place much improved and aE
= parentiy i'm the best Of spirits. AS a Te
f suit. the members of his family relaXe
{ somewhat on their guard OF him. Short
after 10 O'Clock yesterday morning n
left his home al 1915 Adams Mil Toa
% northwest. In the best of spirits. on th
prctext that he was going FOR "a wall
This was the last heard OF him until ID
news Of his suicide became known.
Walter. who was IN his forty first yea
e was born in New York but Tor a nun
0 Der Of years bad lived IN this city. Eigh
e cen years ago he entered the employ
S Mr. Schafer his brother-in-law, star
- ing at the bottom and gradually workin
+ himself up 20 the position Of manage
( This Office he held successfully until n
: mind gave way last summer and he va
forced to withdraw from active bus
ness.