Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-23
THIRDEFFOR7
TO KILL SELF
SUCCESSFUL
HARNESSMAKER USES CHUM'S
REVOLVER
MAN DIES IN ROOM NUMBER
THIRTEEN
Companion Who Claims to Have Been
Asleep When Shot Was Fired
Is Held by the De-
tectives

John Orth, a harnessmaker, formerly
employed by August Wohlfarth, 124
North Main street, committed suicide
yesterday afternoon at o'clock by
shooting himself in the right temple
with u revolver at the room of q
friend, George Kliber, room IL, 2571z
East First street.
The dead man had frequently ex-
pressed his intention of killing HIM
self and made several attempts at self
destruction. Once at Long Beach he
placed. his head on the street car track
and calmly awaited the approach of a
rapidly moving car.
The motorman saw him in time and
brought the car to stop within
few feet of Orth. Another time he
Jumped in front of a car on Also street
and would have been hurled to his
death but for the prompt action of
bystander.
"Orth and I have been friends for
nearly ten years." said Kliber. "He
has tried to end his life on a number
of occasions. He had room at the
Hotel Vendome, First and Vine streets.
He came to my room about o'clock
and knocked on the door. l. was lying
on the bed trying to sleep. L arose,
opened the door and admitted him.
''Orth was extremely nervous and
appeared to be out of his right mind.
He asked me to give him my gun so he
could kill himself.
Grabs Revolver
II refused and he grabbed 1t from
under the pillow at the head of the
bed. 1 sprang upon him and wrenched
the weapon from him, then broke the
gun and removed the five loaded
cartridges, which I placed in my right
trousers pocket.
II placed the gun under the pillow
and lay down on the bed, fully dressed.
/ went to sleep and was awakened
about half an hour later by the report
of pistol shot. / jumped from bed
and saw Orth lying on the floor the
blood pouring from hole in his tenn
pie and the revolver lying on the floor
at his side. In some manner he took
one of the cartridges from my pocket,
loaded the gun and shot himself"
Orth was found stretched full length,
his head toward the north and his
arms spread out. The skin around the
wound was powder burned.
II have known Orth for a number
of years. said Edwin Hickam, who
rooms at the Hotel Vendome.
His mother died about five years
ago. and since that time his mind
seems to have been affected. On two
OcCdSlOilS L KNOW Oh ne IiiduS uI1SuC-
cessful attempts at self-destruction.
Kliber and Orth were good friends and
/ know. of no ill feeling existing be-
tween them"
Companion Held
Tho room in which the man was
found was in a rooming house con-
Quoted by a Japanese. T. Tujisawa.
Kliber states he has lived in Los
Angeles for many years. He is
photographer and is employed by the
Los Angeles Lithographing company,
Second and Rose streets.
Detectives Hawley and Mckenzie,
who We're detailed on the case, are
holding Kliber until the coroner holds
an inquest over the body and until
further Investigations are made.
The dead man is survived by a broth
er, Frank J. Orth, a pressman en-
ployed by the Western Paper Bag
company, living at 213 Carey street.
He is said to have a wife and two
children living somewhere in Los An
geles.
The body was taken to the under
taking establishment of Bresee Bros,
where the coroner will probably hold
an inquest today.