The Washington times., 1909-04-21
Signal Corps Officer, Fear
ing Incurable Disease,
s Death.
IN A SANITARIUM
NEAR WASHINGTON
Assurances of DR.. Heller, His
Friend, Failed to
Cheer.

Capt. George c. Burnell, of the
United States army, attached to the
Signal Corps, is dying today from
the effects of a bullet wound inflicted
upon himself at Laurel Sanitarium,
Maryland, last night, because he
feared he was going insane.
The bullet entered his head just back
OF the right ear. and at late hour this
afternoon it was said that his death
was expected at any minute.
Well Known Here.
Captain BurneH. who was formerly
stationed at Fort Myer, and is well
known in Washington. has been in com
mand of Fort Wood. in New York, for
the last five years. He had been suf-
ferine from nsurasthenia, followed by
general nervous and physical break
down.
Last Tuesday he came to Washington
10 consult with DR.. Joseph NJ. Heller,
of the Farragut. DR.. Heller told him
ne would have to be under treatment
FOR weeks. and advised him to 20 to
the sanitarium near Washington. Cap
tain Burnell returned 10 Fort Wood the
same evening, and last Friday came
back to Washington to 90 under DR.
Heller's care.
Feared Losing Mind.
According 10 DR.. Heller. Captain Bur
nell feared he was losing his mind
and that he could never be cured.
DR.. Heller went to the sanitarium to
see him yesterday afternoon. Captain
Burnei said he could never stand II to
a. In rho
He asked DR.. Heller to allow him to
accompany him back to Washington
and. as there had been no papers of
commitment. the physician did not ad-
wise him TO stay at the institution
against his Will.
Or. Heller had planned TO catch the
2.30 car back to Washington, and was
waiting in the hall with his overcoat
on for Captain Burnell to pack his suit
case. The army officer had not been
upstairs three minutes when the pistol
shot was heard.
Victim Is Found.
DR.. Heller ran upstairs. and the other
physicians at the sanitarium rushed to
the roois- Captain Burnell was lying
on the floor in front of the dresser with
the smoking revolver still in his right
hand. Blood was flowing from the
wound In his head. and he was uncon-
scious.
Immediately after going upstairs Can
tain Burrell had apparently started to
pack ms suit case, ana then suddenly
changing his mind, started to take of
MS clothing. He had removed his coat
vest, trousers, and shoes, and wrapped
himself in blanket.
Stood Before Mirror.
To make sure that the bullet would
be effective, Captain BurnsI appar-
emily had stood in front of the mirror
hrYr nh, =
When the doctors first examined the
wound It was believed he had shot him
self twice.
An examination Of the revolver. how
ever. showed that only ono chamber
was empty. The bullet had evidently
split when II struck the skull, one pOr-
ton coming out near the left ear and
the other at the top or the head
Everything possible was done by the
physicians to save the army officers
life. Artificial stimulants were admin
istered, but the efforts Of the doctors
failed to bring him back 20 conscious
ness for even a few seconds. DR.. Hell
Ter remained at the sanitarium until
late last night.
Ill Long Time.
Captain Burnell had been in ilI health
for long time, his condition becoming
gradually worse. He had suffered a
general nervous breakdown which had
undermined his general health, and
finally became 50 alarmed about his con-
dition that he came here TO see Dr.
Heller. with whom he served in Cuba
DR.. Heller was in the regular army five
pears, and Is a warm personal friend
OF Captain BurnelL
DR.. Heller said there was nothing
alarming about his condition, and as
sured him that after a few weeks OF
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