The Washington times., 1911-08-28
CULTURE
INSTRUCTOR, IN ILL
HEALTH, K|LLSSELF
DR.. John E. Reubsam Dies
in Hospital After Firing
Bullet Into Head.

DR.. John E. Reubsam, the physical
culture teacher, who shot himself
with a revolver while in his office in
the Pope Building, 817 Fourteenth
street northwest, last night, after
writing a letter to Coroner Nevitt in
which he stated that miserable pain"
resulting from drinking three glasses
OF beer had prompted him to commit
the act, died this morning at Emerg-
ency Hospital.
DR.. Reubsam was found in his Of
fice about 1890 last night lying un-
conscious on a pile Of carpet. Blood
was flowing from his face. On the
floor near him were found two let
ters-one directed to his daughter,
Miss Elsie Reubsam. and the other to
Coroner hewitt
In his letter to the coroner. Dr.. Reub-
sam declared his pain was unbearable
and said II was time the Department
OF Agriculture regulated the brewing Of
beer 50 as to prevent the use Of any
substance causing such suffering - 10
underwent
His Actions Strange.
On the night of August 19, while at
German clubhouse in this city. DR..
Reuhsam drank three glasses OF beer,
his letter says. About a half hour later
he was taken sick With cramps He
Immediately returned to his home, at
1908 s street northwest. and the fol-
lowing morning he called DR.. Gustavus
Werber. Of 1853 Q street northwest to
treat him. Although a strong advocate
of physical culture as a cure for sick
ness. DR.. Reubsam believed that his
condition warranted the summoning Of
a physician.
DIR. Reubsam's condition rapidly i'm
proved, and, although he did not feel
we'll. all Of last week, he was able to
look after his business. His illness de-
veloped into uremic poisoning, but ae
no time was his condition alarming, ac-
cording to DR.. Werber.
About 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon
DR.. Reubsam left his home, telling his
daughter that he was going to his Of
fee to write some letters. Before leav-
his tewelry, including his watch, cuff
buttons, and shirt studs. His daughter
noticed that his actions were strange,
but did not make any attempt to pre-
vent his leaving the house.
Sought By Daughter.
When Dr. Reubsam failed to return
by 1919 last night, Miss Reubsam be-
came alarmed and asked W. H Frey.
of 1910 street northwest. to go to hef
fathers office with her.
They found DR.. Reubsam stretched az
full length gasping and groantng.
. caliber revolver was nearby. He was
Immediately hurried to Emergency Hos.
pftal and placed on the operating table!
Police Headquarters was notified and q
detective was assigned to INVESTIGATES
the case.
When the Emergency Hospital physi-
clans examined the injured man they
were unable to find where he had shot
himself They found that the blood was
coming from his right ear. but there
was no sign of a bullet wound. Efforts
to bring Dr. Reubsam back to conscious
ness were unsuccessful and about $50
this morning he died.
After making an examination or the
body this morning. Or. Nevttt, the
Coroner, was of the opinion that DR.!
Reubsam had shot himself IN the roof
of the mouth. A .22-caliber revolver
wound is very small, as a general ruleI
he said. and that for that reason II Is
difficult to determine the exact local
ton of the wound.
The body of DR.. Reubsam was sent 70
the undertaking establishment OF j.
William Lee, at 332 Pennsylvania ave.
nue. northwest, where 1t will be pre+
pared for burial. No funeral arrange+
ments have as yet been made.