The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-06-14

nFts-~aNi ana -
Persons Ia the Room When u
Tragedy Occurred.
John Frederick Dah:ner, a young
white man. slightly more than 20 years
OF age. killed himself late yestc day
afternoon in the room over the Od'on
moving picture theater on Mar"c-
street. death having been insthh'a-
neous from a bullet wound In me
right temple. There were present III
the room at the time the rash deed 'as
committed. Mr.. J. X. Ll!lycrop. sep
father Of the deceased, Mrs. LiilyorUp,
his mother, and Carl Smith. a Win
lad.
Dahmer got the pistol from a :r'nk
in the room, n without II intiiua-
ton tha he Was going TO inture HIM
self. he placed the pistol against his
head and fired. the ball entering d.
rectly at the temple. He fell over on
his back to the floor and the blood
which spouted from the wound @
stood In dark splotches for several
feet around the dead man. his head
and shoulders lying in a pool OF the
crimson fluid.
The scene was indeed a pathetic
one. when within a few moments after
the suicide a newspaper reporter was
shown into the death chamber. The
sorely stricken mother had b"en
thrown into a hysterical state and
other relatives stood mutely by, show
ing plainly the depth Of their own
sorrow.
A physician was summoned by at
taches of the show Immediately after
the shooting, but death had been in
slant and there vas no need for a
doctor. Coroner Bell was notified OF
the occurrence and after viewing the
body, deeming an inquest unnecessary
he granted permission for its removal,
and it was taken to Yopp's undertaK-
ing establishment on Princess street
and prepared for burial.
1t is not known what was the cause
Of Dahmer's taking his own life,
though for several weeks he has been
depressed and melancholy n has
frequently said that luck" was
against him. 1t will be recalled that
several weeks ago. during a time OF
temporary mental ALTERATION. Dahr er
disappeared from his place Of husi-
ness here and that he was gone for
several days. fears being had by rel
II: -. ~. - L.l naynunftfnA
suicide. His mother. who at that
time resided in Charlotte. got a note
from her son that he intended 10 com
nit suicide by drowning himself in
the river at the foot Of Princess street.
When he disappeared and no trace Of
him could be found. the river at Pm
cess street dock was dragged for sew
eral davs in an effort to recover the
body. Shortly after he had been civ
en- up for lost. Dahmer suddenly ap-
Dearcd at his boarding house In this
city and he was never able TO state
where he had been.
Relatives who had ONE TO Whining
tor remained here after Dahmer
Idu tx IA'I anu lH'y 'l''lth " vi
him into the conduct OF the Odeon
: moving picture show, which recently
f has seemed to enjoy a fair share oil
+. prosperity.
: 1t is said that Dahmcr ycstcr ;ay
: afternoon became aggravated with one
I Of the boys employed in The theater
2 and discharged him. Later Mr..
? Lillycrop re-enployed the boy. ThiH
led TO an argument though neitle'
= party got mad over T.. Both Dahmc-
: and Mr.. LillycroD were In the room
upstairs over the theater. and II was
after the argument had ended acd
Mr.. LilIycroD started down the stairs
- that the tragedy occurred.
At the instant when Dahmcr pr the
pistol against his head and fired. II
appears that though three pe'sons
were in the room. none Of them acre
looking at him.
Dahmer was 30 years old the 4th o.
last May, and had made quite a num'
Der OF friends during his stay In vii
mington. He came TO this city In
April, from Charlotte. He leaves his
mother. Mrs. ]. II. Lillycrop. who II
a sister of Mr.. Lewis Sallings OF thii
city and a brother. Mr.. Frank Dahmer
of Charlotte.
It is TO be observed that Faycrite