Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-03-20
Death Of John. G. Peter.

The news Of the sudden death Of Mr.. John
G. Peter in Philadelphia, Monday morning /,
March End, came as shock TO his relatives
and acquaintance.
II occurred at the home of his BRIDES moth
er, Mrs. McCandliss, when he had been mar
ried less than three weeks. His death was
from pistol shot and by his own hand, and,
as after full investigation, no possible mo-
tive could be found for the act, 1t was thong hit
to have been due to a sudden seizure OF sui
cidal mania.
The Public Ledger Of March 3rd reports
Mr.. Alfred G. Walker, president OF the En-
ployee's Mutual Benefit and Relief Associa-
ton, with which Mr.. Peter was connected, as
saying, az have cudgeled my brain since
early morning and cannot conceive OF
reason for the suicide. Peter left this office
on Saturday afternoon in apparently the best
OF spirits, tremendously encouraged by his
recent promotion aud joyous over his marri-
age. Never in all my seven years experience
with him has he been other than steady,
straigh forward, clear-headed young man.
with a strong, cheerful personality. 1t may
have been that he was seized with mania,
auch az forces man to throw himself from
great height or under locomotive. when
the loaded pistol was In his hands,
IThe pistol had been placed in the room
with the wedding presents for security against
robbery.1 , a.
family that, in his opinion, the shooting was
accidental. The fact that Mr.. Peter was most
happily married, had just rec eived promotion
10 the position of secretary and treasurer
of the Mutual Benefit and Relief Assocla-
ton, with which he had been connected for
several Years, and that his accounts had been
found to be perfectly correct, and that he
had few moments before spoken OF the nap
pIness he was enjoying, would seem 70 sus-
tain the theory. Mr.. Peter was the younges'
son OF the late Alexander Peter, OF THIS couh-
~, and was great favorite with ell who
knew him and dearly beloved by his family.
| His character as q man Of business was un-
| exceptional. Notices OF his death appeared
| 10 several Of the Philadelphia papers with
testimonials TO the high integrity OF bis bu-
siness life from boyhood. The following is
selected from some expressions 10 letter
| from one who had known him from child
| hood:
"From a little child he had the loveliesl
disposition, and cannot but feel that his
spirit 10 in Heaven"
The testimony Of his roommate to the pu-
rity and blamelessness OF his private lie Is
thus referred to:
al talked with his room mate yesterday.
| lie said he had roomed with him for eight
years, and that no man lived who had lived
| . cleaner life than he did. de, moreover
| said much that he was himself he owed TO
John. He said that for several years he had
never retired without reading chapter 10
his Bible, and IL he was there, always read II
1 to him."
There lie by me, as | write, notices OF his
| death from several Philadelphia papers,
which, while giving full accounts Of ii, unan-
| imousiy bear witness TO his diligence 10 bu-
siness and faithfulness to duty.
| 10 ne great grief which has come 10 all
| who loved him, IL must be great comfort
| 70 have such evidence that, though he lett
home TO engage in business amid all the
temptations Of city life in boyhood, be lived
20 stainless Q life 10 the moment OF that sud-
| den and ineIplicable catastrophe which de-
prived them Of one 30 dear to them all.
One Of the last acts Of his life q thus men
toned in the Pubic Ledger. III was The
night before the fatal mornIng]:
aThe Rev. DR.. Henry AeCandliss, medi-
cal missionary aud member Of the family
vas visiting ct the house and conducted 6
prayer service Ia which Peter took most de-
vout part"
Ills well that all his friends should know
Of such facts as these.
| PARKE p. FLOURsoY.