Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-31

business man. committed suicide this
morning by shooting himself through the
heart with an ancient pepper-box revolver
at his home, 227 B street northwest.
Death was practically instantaneous.
Mr.. O'Meara. who was seventy EIGHT
years of age, had been in ill health for
some time. and was sufferer from in
somnia. OF late he had been extremely
respondent. But neither family nor
friends had any idea that he was contem-
plating self-destruction.
Arrangements have been made for fun
eral services at the family residence Mon-
day afternoon. It has not been decided
who will off1ciate. as Rev. Donald C. Mac
Leod, pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church, where Mr.. O'Meara had been in
the habit of attending services. Is out of
the city. Ipterment will be in Oak Hill
Policeman Scriven of the sixth precinct
was standing near the corner Of Sd and B
streets northwest when Mr.. O'Meara
killed himself. He heard the shot and
hurried to the O'Meara home. to see If he
could be. of any assistance, but found the
aged man dead.
He summoned Coroner hewitt, who.
upon arrival. was deeply grieved to find
Meara had been we'll acquainted for
years-had killed himself. He found the
body of the dead man lying in the hall on
the basement floor. where. 1t had fallen.
After securing the statements of persons
in the house at the time the tradegy oc-
Cured Coroner hewitt gave the necessary
death certificate and an undertaken took
charge of the body.
In Good Spirits Last Night.
Friends of Mr.. O'Meara were inexpress-
IDLY shocked this morning when they
It'll inns 4
was known that he had shown signs of
despondency at times and that he had
suffered from insomnia, but 1t was not
thought he contemplated ending his life.
Last night he was in good suirits, and
chatted with his wife and other members
daughter. Mrs. j. c. Cox, and her husband
had attended the band concert In the
Smithsonian grounds last evening, and up
on returning home after 10 O'Clock, they
found the old couple still up. Mr.. O'Meara
asked about the concert and seemed IN
better spirits than he had been in for
several days. A bit later the several
members of the two families retired, Mr..
OMeara going to the front room on the
second floor, while his wife went to her
room at the other end of. the hall.
This morning shortly before o'clock
Mr.. O'Meara descended the stairs to the
basement, passing the dining room door
and going to the rear end of the hall.
At the dining room door he stopped and
asked the colored woman what they were
going to have for dinner
That's good,' he said to her with
smile when she had answered.
A few seconds later the loud report
of a pistol startled the maid. She ran
standing position with the weapon in his
hand. Then he groaned and fell to the
floor Badly frightened by the occurrence
the woman rushed to the front of the
house and tugged vigorously at the bell
Mrs. O'Meara was on her way down to
the dining room at the time the shot was
fired, but. being deaf, did not hear the
report Her son-in-law and daughter took
her back to her room as soon as they
realized what had happened and told her
heart failure.
Deed Was Premedifated.
In is thought that Mr.. O'Meara had
contemplated the deed some little time, as
relatives today recalled remarks he had
made to them during the past few weeks.
Only two days ago he said he feared he
that he hadn't missed a Saturday morn
ing in many years. Members of the fam
lily say that of late he had suffered from
rheumatism and that he frequently COM
planned that he was unable to sleep.
Only a few days ago he remarked to
member of the family: 20 Lord. how long
is this to last? Others die when they are
in my condition and I am here. yet"
The deceased was a native of Mana. Tip
perary county, Ireland. He came to this
country when nine years old and to WASH
ington seven years later. During his
younger days he was employed in a cot
ton mill in Georgetown. afterward opening
a confectionery and variety store at the
corner of Pennsylvania avenue and I'd
street All during the war period his
store was patronized by residents of the
eastern section. Before leaving George
town to go into business for himself Mr..
O'Meara married Miss Sarah Unsworth.
When he gave up the business at Penn
sylvania avenue and I'd street his son,
John U.'O'Meara, succeeded him.
Mr.. O'Meara Then engaged in the bust
ness of selling sporting goods, making
speciality of handling supplies for gum
ners and anglers. retiring from business
in 1885. at which time he was in business
near Pennsylvania avenue and 14th
street.
One of Oldest Inhabitants.
He is survived by his wife and three
children, John T.. Miss Clara O'Meara
and Mrs. j. c. Cox. The late Attorney
Daniel e. Cahll, who committed suicide
several years ago. was son-in-law of the
deceased. Mr. O'Meara was member Of
was not connected with any other or
ganization
The weapon he used this morning was
Of the old pepper-box pattern. an inven-
ton of 1889, and had probably been in
Mr.. O'Meara's possession ever since he
went out of business. friends believing he
had kept 1t merely as curiosity