Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-08
SUICIDE FOLLOWS
REIGN OF TERROR
CONTINUED from First PageD

Continued from First PageD
suggestion as to the best method to get
DIR. PospiSiel out of the house without
shooting him through the band in order
to render him incapable of using the re-
volver Another suggestion was that
long pole be used for the purpose OF
knocking the weapon from his hand. This
was attempted. but the doctor was too
active with his weapon for the plan to
succeed.
w. G. Lang of 5.S 9TH street. an en-
ploye of the Post Office Department and
member of the lodge of Odd Fellows with
which the insane man was connected.
thought he might bring Pospisiel to his
senses by giving the secret signs of the
order. but the mailman paid no attention
to Lang Lang had TO hurriedly hide be-
hind a big tree, where Pospisiel repeatedly
shot at him.
Endeavors to Make Rush
From time TO time polio amen would
endeavor to reach the room to rush"
Pospisiel, but their efforts were not sue
cessful Retired Policeman Gouldman
happened to pass the house. He stopped
TO make some suggestions to the lunatic
at the window not seeming to realize his
danger. When several shots had been fired
al him he calmly remarked: You are
not a very good shot, old man" and
walked away.
Capt. Daley of the ninth precinct reach
ed the vicinity of the Fospisiel home after
daylight and took a and in the efforts
of his men and the nclghbors of the ply
stefan to get the insane man from the
house. They were all satisfied that Pos
pisiel. who had terroriZed the neighbor-
hood, would end the matter by commit
ting suicide. although they did not an
ticipate that the climax would be so dra-
matte. Several times he appeared at the
window, barred his chest and placing the
nnuzzle of the weapon over his heart,
made the remark: This is good tar
get" Then he turned the weapon against
his temple and said: But this is a better
target"
Always on Guard.
DR.. Edward T. Perkins of 62s 7th street
was the first person summoned by Mr..
Fessenden after the latter had taken the
children of his house. The two men made
an unsuccessful effort to break open the
fro,t door about the time the police went
TO the rear of the house. but Pospisiel was
always on guard After the children and
Mrs. Pospisiel had reached the house of
MIR. Fessenden the lunatic made an effort
to reach them by starting to run LADDER
from the window OF his house to the
home of Mr. FeSsenien. but the latter
house had been barricaded and the mem
bers Of Mr.. Fessenden's family, badly
frightened. sought shelter in house in
rear of their home, taking the Posplsiel
children with them.
When Mrs. Pospisiel managed to leave
the room, while the three policemen were
claiming her husbands attention, she
started to leap from the upper window
TO the ground, but persons who stood on
the side of the street opposite her house
advised her not TO jump. She fell back
ward as if in a faint. but an instant later
she made the successful leap to the Fes
nl,r no
Pospisel was the master of the situation
he frightened several hundred persons,
and at times il was almost impossible for
the police to keep the curious ones from
congregating where they were almost GER
tain TO be shot. 1t was only by jumping
behind trees that some of them escaped
injury.
Writes Letter.
Dr. Pospsel seemed 70 have become
possessed of the idea that his father, who
died several years ago. was still alive. and
despite the terrible mental strain under
which he had been laboring he was able
to sit at his desk a few minutes before
he killed himself ard write of his vision
The letter, which he addressed to his
brother John Pospisiel. living at Heine-
, man. Wis, reads:
Dear Sister and Brother: | have not
heard from YOU for long time. How are
you all getting along? Hope you are
getting along nicely. Before this letter
reaches you you may hear something aw-
full. ! understand that serious charges
are being trumped up against me. May
the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Is
father dead? imagine he is not 1t ap-
pears / saw him in vision. Is Rosie
really married or not? How is Annie
and the rest of the family? Why don't
YOU write, dear brother Please do
Please do. God bless you all
Shoots Himself and Falls.
Having written the letter and left it on
his desk. DR.. Posp:siel returned to the
window. revolver in hand prepared to
renew the shooting. His appearance at
that time showed he was somewhat ex.