The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-03
SHOT HIMSELF AT
RESERVOIR PARK
Railroad Man Fired Twice, but
Wounds Did Not Prove
Fatal.
CROWD NEAR BY AT TIME
Left Note to Relatives Which In
dicated That Act Was Care
fully Planned.
CROWD NEAR BY AT TIME.

After drinking a half-pint OF whis-
key to nerve him ror the deed, L. H.
Sullivan, railroad man, evidently a
citizen of Crewe, Va, shot himself
twice yesterday afternoon in Reservoir
Park in view of hundreds of people.
Sullivan inflicted the wounds with a
Smith & Wesson revolver, of thirty
eight calibre. He placed the muzzle
of the weapon to his mouth, and fired
twice, both balls lodging in the roof
of his mouth. Though only James A
Gentry, of 1920 Hanover Avenue. and
r. e. James. of 3111 Beverly
Street, witnessed the actual shooting,
hundreds of people heard the two re-
ports, and for a time there was con-
sternation in the resort
Sullivan was seated on a bench on
the west side bank. Mr.. Gentry. who
was seated about twenty feet away, saw
the man turn down half-plnt OF
whiskey, and then saw the revolver
muzZle placed in his mouth. There
were two reports in rapid succession.
and Sullivan swung half way round.
his head falling on his arms on the
back of the bench He appeared to be
dead. Immediately there was excite
ment. and several people ran to tcle-
phones to notify the city ambulance
and the police.
Could Not Get Ambulance.
. Mounted Policeman Flournoy was
the first officer on the scene. He at
tempted to call the city ambulance,
but 1t was then out on another call.
and could not be reached. Summons
was sent to the Second Police Station,
and Bicycle Policeman krengel an,
swered. When he arrived. Sullivan
was still sitting on the bench. Blood
was squirting from his mouth. His head
was resting on his arms, and he was
groaning. The officers tried to rouse
him to see If he were dead, but he
only mumbled.
Finding that he was unable to get
the ambulance, and, fearing that Sui
Ivan would die on his hands every
minute, officer Krengel called up the
Second Station and summoned the au-
tomobile patrol wagon. w, C. Pond
drove it at high speed to the park.
and Sullivan. who was then in a half
conscious state, was lifted in. Then
the drive to the City Hospital was
slowly and cautiously, on ac-
count of the perilous condition Of the
man.
He spoke only once; good by.
brother" he muttered. You'll never
see me again.
AS soon as he got into the City
Hospital he was transferred to the
operating table, but the physicians
who had already been summoned to
attend the case, decided that operation
was not Immediately necessary, AMI
II was postponed The patient was
then left in the care of DIR, Harsh
berger, one of the internes. who stated
last night that he would probably re-
cover.
Act Prcmeditnted.
sullivan jreSained partial conscious
ness. but would say nothing. He cried
often for water, and uttered an oath
When the physician began to make
an examination.
Police Ofilcer Krengel examined the
mans clothes and effects and soon
round a note, placed in the back OF
sullivan of Crewe, and r, S. sullivan |
OF Blackstone, as follows:
ftou will find my keys TO my trunk |
In my pocket Use your best judg +
ment as to what to put on me-"
The message contained nothing else !
no excuse for his rash act /
The officer also found letter from
young woman of Mineral City, Iou- i
saf county, in Sullivans inside coat t
'ocket, but, deeming the missive pure
" personal, he did not read it. In his
1ockets We're also found a receipt from
odd Fellows Lodge. No, Us, Of Motto
way county.tand Railroad Y. MIC. A.
ard. given out at tho branch atCrewe,
Fbese seemed to establish his identity.
md Captain McNIahon. head OF the de-
ectiVe force. Wired Immediately to the
Wo mentioned IN Sullivants note--be-
ieVed to he his brothers--and to the
hiefs of police in Crewe and Black
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