Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-29
TAKES HIS OWN LIFE
Jerome N. Coudrey, 18 Years
Old, Commits Suicide.
NO REASON KNOWN FOR ACT
Representative Coudrey. Young
Mans Father, Leaves Washing
ton on Receipt Of NeWs.

ST. LOUIS. Mo-. December 29.-Jerome
NJ. Coudrey. the eighteen-year-old son OF
Representative Harry NJ. Coudrey OF ST.
Louis. committed suicide late last night
by firing bullet through his heart. His
body was found in bed by relatives of the
youth, who were attracted by the shot
The tragedy occurred at the Buckingham
Annex. one OF the most exclusive hotels
in st. Louis.
Relatives say they know no reason
why the youth should have taken his
life
III. NJ. Godfrey represents the twelfth
Missouri district in Congress. He is al
present in Washington.
The young man had not attended school
for two years. and had lately been In the
employ Of the Hamilton Brown Shoe
Company. He was OF a cheerful dis.
position, and formed many close friend
ships. He sat in the lobby Of the hotel
during the evening, laughing and JOKING
with relatives and friends, leaving about
1890 to go to his room.
Found by a Relative.
Less than two hours later he was found
dead by Mrs. Frank Coudrey. his aunt
by Frank Coudrey, her husband. and
Mrs. Lucy H. Coudrey, grandmother OF
the boy.
tinguished. The light from the hall
showed the boy to be lying with his
clothing on, except his coat. Mrs. Cou.
drey turned on the lights. and the young
mans death was revealed. The pisto
had fallen to his side. and death had
oil iyyNp afo
The boys death almost stunned the
group Of relatives. and his grandmother
was Frustrated, requiring the services OF
a physician.
Father Is Notified.
Frank Coudrey, who was until recently
an insurance man, connected with the
Harry NJ. Coudrey Insurance Agency
Company, is q brother Of Representative
Coudrey. He at once called the father In
Washington, D. c., over the long-dis.
lance telephone.
Representative Coudrey was shocked
and refused for q time to believe that his
son had committed suicide. When con.
WINGED that the news was true, he SAID
he would depart from Washington on Q
special train, II possible, to reach home.
Representative Godfrey OF Missouri
who lives at the Richmond Hotel during
sessions Of Congress, was notified ovel
long distance telephone last night by his
brother, Harry NJ. Coudrey OF st. Louis
OF the suicide, and left Washington early
this morning on the first train for ST
Louis He is unable to account for thu
action OF his son.
Never Suffered From Nervousness.
MY son was never sufferer from
nervousness" he said. He was little
over eighteen years OF age, over six fee'
In height. and as magnificent specimen
Of manhood as have ever seen. A few
months ago at his own suggestion HI
went to work for a large concern in st
Louis, and his efficiency there had al.
ready won him commentator from those
over him. He had hoped to visit me
soon.
Christmas day my wife and myself
received presents from him, with a let
ter telling Of his hopes and achieve
ments It was optimistic throughout. and
suggested his belief that we would soor
be together.
He did not drink, did not smoke and
was regular and temperate in his habits
What his reason for suicide was I dom,
think 1 will ever know"