The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-07
Ed BERNnARDT
TAKES HIS LIFE
slLLlNos BARTENDER FIRES =
suLLET INTO HIS BRAIN.
MIND WAS UNBALANCED
Leaves Note Explaining Small Short
aae 81 Cash Ii Register Of Gold
Dust saloon-lnvestigation Fails to
Disclose Motive.

From Sundays Daily.
The body Of Ed s. Bernhard, q
bartender employed at the Gold Dust
saloon was found on the south side OF
Montana avenue, between Thirty
second and Thirty-third streets at 6
o'clock yesterday morning. A bullet
wound through his head and q re-
volver lying between his legs near his
right hand showed that he had taken
his ~ life. No motive is assigned
for. the suicide, and 1t is believed that
the man was mentally unbalanced.
The body was found lying beside
the right-of-way fence Of the Northern
Pacific. B%ernhardt's head was rest
Ing on the fence wire, a bottle OF
whisky lay on one side Of him and
his revolver close by. The revolver
had fallen from his grasp, but was
within a fraction Of IN inch OF his
right hand.
The bullet which caused his death
is believed to have been fired from
the 1920 Colts single action re-
volver found near his body, as n
chamber Of the revolver was empty
and the barrel Of the gun looked like
the weapon had been used recently.
Mysterious Note.
The bullet entered Bernhardt's right
temple and passed through his head,
coming out the left side just back Of
his temple. The flesh was powder
burned and the hair was singed where
the bullet entered. There are no other
marks Of violence on his body.
Bernhard was employed as night
bartender at the Gold Dust saloon,
which is owned by Koblein & Weis-
taner. On closing the saloon last
night he left a note to one Of his en-
ployers which said: Say, George, !
was touched by a sheepherder that
had It in for Webb when I was in the
closet. I'll get him or he gets me. I
took your gun" The note is signed
ed. B."
When the owners OF the saloon
opened up yesterday morning they
found $23 in the cash register and also
found that It was $26.35 short. About
$19 was found on Bernhardt's body.
Was Ia Good Spirits.
When he left the saloon yesterday
morning Bernhard appeared to be y
good spirits and perfectly sober. OF
fcer Soy Of the local police force
was passing the saloon as. Bernhard
was locking the door, and the bar
tender asked the officer to have 9
cigar.
Investigation by the county and city
i officers fails to disclose any motive
for the mar shooting himself. So fal
as is known he had no domestic o.
financial troubles.
Ofacer Lavelle, who was called
when the body was found, says h,
heard a revolver shot coming from
the direction where Bernhardt's bod.
was found about 2 O'Clock yesterda.
morning, and It is believed that tn
shot which the officer heard was tn
n which killed the unfortunate man
Came From Wisconsin.
Bernhardt came to. this city witt
his family from Wisconsin last SCI
TENDER. He was engaged in the gre
Gerry business in Appleton, Wis, 70
some time, and later engaged in tn
saloon business in hurley, Wis.
His wife and daughter live at 2
Custer avenue and are we'll known i
this city. His daughter, Miss Bessi
Bernhard, played and sang in til
Theatorium for several months.
Letters found on the body spea
very highly of Bernnardt. He has a
ways borne a good reputation in thi
city. He was not a hard drinkin
man, was Industrious and we'll like,
He was quiet and reserved, and Sc
dom IL ever spoke OF himself or, hi
family. Mr.. Bernhard was a men
Der Of the Eagles lodge and barten'
ers' union.
Relatives were notified of his deaf
yesterday morning by wire. Funer;
arrangements have not yet been COZ
pleted, but It is practically certa:
that he Will be buried In Billings.
EAcTcnn Elnal Il