The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1910-05-07
ENDS OWL LIFE.
Michael Tobias, One Of cit7s Most Prominent
Merchants, Commits Suicide by Shoot
ing Himself in the Head-Busi-
ness Worries and Mem
tai Depression
the Cause.

| O clock yesterday forenoon by shooting
himself in the right temple with SO
calibre Smith & Wesson revolver. Bust
ness worries and mental depression oc
casioned by the state of his health art
the only reasons assigned as the cause O
the tragedy. Mr.. Tobias was happil!
married, for many years had enjoyed {
lucrative business, was absolutely beyond
care or concern in both his financial anc
social affairs, and his family and friends
are at a loss to account for his rash &C
on any other ground than that of tempo
rary worry concerning his physical condi
ton and pressing matters of business.
Mr.. Tobias arose at his usual hour yes
terday morning, and, after breakfasting
repaired to his place of business at the
corner of Railroad avenue and Michael
street. He was apparently as cheerful
and business-like as usual, and not the
slightest inkling was given to any of the
employees of the store or his business as
sociates that he contemplated ending his
career in such a sudden and tragic man.
ner. About 1045 o'clock Mr. Tobias
assembled the stairway leading to the
second floor of the Tobias store building
and repaired to the room occupied by
Leopold WE'LL, one of the statesmen of the
establishment. AS he walked up the steps
the young lady cashier of the store called
to him and asked if he desired that GER
tain communications which had arrived
that morning be filed for future reference.
Mr.. Tobias either did not hear the inquiry
or ignored it. and just as he entered the
door leading to Mr.. Wells apartments,
the cashier repeated her question. Reply
ing merely Yes, file them Mr. Tobias
stepped inside the door, and a moment
later pistol shot rang out. The employ
ees, galvanized into instant action by the
sound, rushed to the room which Mr.
Tobias had just entered and found their
employer lying in crumpled heap on the
floor, with gaping wound in his right
temple.
1t it not known whether MI. Tobias
suicide, or whether, when
he stepped into the room, he saw Mr..
WE'LL S revolver lying on the bureau, Gin
its usual position), and suddenly decided
to send bullet into his brain and put an
end to his worries and ills. The presump-
lion is that he stood in front of the dresser
mirror. so as to afford himself view of
lis head, and, carefully placing the revolt
1er to his right temple. pulled the trigger.
The bullet tore through the skull and
emerged on the left side, dropping to the
loor after completing its fearful voyage
# destruction.
Upon the discovery of Mr.. Tobias inert
'ody, DR.. E. X. Sims was hurriedly sum
noned and repaired to the scene of the
ragedy as fast as mans great and useful
INVENTION, the automobile. could carry
in, but as soon as he viewed the re-
lains he declared there was nothing that
MEDICAL science could do. death having
nsued almost instantly upon the firing of
ne fateful shot. DR.. Paul T. Thibodaux
oroner of the parish, arrived within a
hort time and held an inquest, after
'hich the body was tenderly conveyed to
IT. Tobias late residence in Iberville
rect, where it was prepared for burial.
Mr.. Tobias was the representative of
ne third ward (Donaldsonville) in the
olice jury of Ascension parish, and had
cid numerous other positions of honor
I'D trust, including the office of alderman
the second ward, which position he
led with significant ability for num-
r OF years. He was a member and Of
'er of Ascension Lodge No. PSI, F. and
M, Ascension Chapter No. 40, ROYAL -.
rch Masons, Donaldsonville Lodge No
So, B. P. 0. E., Olive Camp No. 49,
oodmen of the World, Ascension Lodge :
}. SAB, 10. B. B., Bikur Cholim Conarega-
IN, Jerusalem Temple. A. A. O. N. MS.
ID other fraternal organizations, inthe af-
lrs of all of which he took a prominent e
1T and manifested much interest and Y
thusiasm. He was always active in q
y movement tending to the upbuildins
the city or the promotion of its material |
'lfare, and the announcement of his IN s
nelly and tragic demise has cast a nall r;
gloom over the entire community and =
rrled lasting sorrow and sincere re- r
t to the hearts of legion of friends L
d acquaintance. r;
The funeral win take place at II o'clock b;
morrow forenoon, and will be conducted
der the auspices of the Masonic lodge,
vices will be held at Bikur Cholim R
1agoe, and interment will be made in !.
Jewish cemetery. -
Or. Tobias was forty-four years of age. "
ative of Donaldsonville, and was mar A
/, his wife being before her marriage tn
IS Emma Badt. of New Orleans. Be nc
IS other relatives, he is survived by ~
ee brothers, Messrs. Sylvan and Jonas &c
has, leading business men of Baton pr
ige, and Jasmin Tobias, junior partner it
he NJ. & j, Tobias firm, and one sister or
Ed. Schloss, of Baton Rouge. Mr.. las :,
Tobias iS ont af thn oi+1y bo,-., ~. all