Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-24
FIND BODY AFTER
TWO DAYS SEARCH
PROMINENT ATTORNEY COM
MlTS SUICIDE
Eber T. Dunning Carefully Plans His
Death and Sends Letter to Friend
Telling Where His Body
Can Be Found

Floating at the end of 25-foot rope,
the other end of which was tied to one
of the piles which support the long
wharf at Port Los Angeles, the body of
Eber 7. Dunning, during the last twelve
years prominent attorney of Los An
geles, was found by Rev. B. Fay Mills
and Fred Smith at IL o'clock yesterday
morning.
Mr. Dunning had jumped from the
wharf some time after sundown last
Tuesday night, after making the most
careful preparations and leaving word
where his body would be found.
The dead attorney has been suffering
from mental trouble for some time, and
during the last three weeks has been
receiving treatment at the Rosena Rest
Cure, 2S14 Downey avenue. He was
subject to fits of depression, and 1t is
thought he decided to commit suicide
during one of these spells.
Makes Careful Plan
The knowledge that Mr.. Dunning had
committed suicide was first received in
this city through a letter written by
Mr. Dunning to Fred E. Smith of tine
Home Telephone company at o'clock
Tuesday afternoon in the office of the
Carpenter-Niskern Realty company at
Santa Monica. 1t was postmarked IN
the Santa Monica office at 500 o'clock
and was as follows:
"I have planned to drop from the rail-
road pier this evening. In order that
my dearest ones may know that have
actually gone I intend to tie rope
about my body that it may be found
and end any suspense of looking for
it. Dunning."
Mr.. Smith at once communicated with
Mrs. Dunning, who in turn notified Rev.
B. Fay Mills of the Los Angeles Fellow
ship, of which Mr.. Dunning was a
trustee.
In company with Mr.. Smith and sew
eral friends of Dunning, Mr.. Mills went
to the beach town, where an active |
search for the body was at once taken |
up. All the piers in Venice, Ocean Park |
and Santa Monica were investigated
but no trace of the body was found.
The long wharf was passed over five
times during the day, but no sign of the
body was visible.
Late Wednesday night the searching
party returned to their homes in this
city, but early yesterday morning again
started out on a search for the body.
When they arrived in Venice an auto
mobile was obtained and two of the
party started for Santa Monica canyon,
ilOplllS W llllu N14s Dull4lii4S oOiiIS PAoSS
along the road
Find Dunnine's Body
Mr.. Mills and Mr.. Smith engaged the
launch Francis and started out for an
inspection of the piers. Shortly before
IL O'Clock they approached the long
wharf and there the launch was de-
serted and a row boat engaged. The
two men then started from the land ex-
ha I'll nd milling oil
ropes they found attached to any of the
piles.
When they had investigated about
one-quarter of the distance they ap-
preached the small scale house. Run
ming from the floor of the wharf down
the side of the piles is a small ladder,
and at the foot of this was found a sec
ond ladder made of rope. Attached to
one of the lower steps was found long
rope, and on pulling on this the body of
Mr.. Dunning came to the surface.
The body was placed in the launch
and taken to shore, where it was taken
charge Of by the Overholzer-Mill COM
pany and word was sent to relatives
and the others of the searching party
that the body had been found.
Mr.. Dunniug had been resident of
Los Angeles for twelve years. Before
coming TO This city ne practiced law in
Tacoma, Wash, ann in Fort Collins,
Colo. Shortly after coming to LOS An
yelss he wzs appointed counsel Of the
board Of trade and was
identified with that organ
zation. He was one Of the trustees of
the Los Angeles Fellowship and was
also the first treasurer Of that institu-
ton
Mr.. Dunning was married and is sur
vfvsd by a. EidoT and 15-year-old
daughter Jessie, a student at the Cum
mock school
A coroner's inquest will be held this
morning. The funeral will be held from
the family residence, 1923 West Adams
street, at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon.
Memorial services will be held at the
regular meeting Of the Fellowship at II
o'clock Sunday, June 2.
Q chUIMGc pANKc Will