Evening star., 1911-08-24
lanes Clarence Price Sends a
Bullet Into His Brain.
WAS LAWYER AND BANKER
Sorrow Over Death of Brother-in-
Law Leads to Deed.
PREDECESSOR ALSO A SUICIDE
Follows Example of John w. Schae-
fer, Treasurer Of Building Asso-
citation Before Him.

Nerve-racked and a prey to grief be
cause of the death two days ago of hi
brother-in-law, James Clarence Price o
the law firm of Lester & Price killet
himself this morning by sending a bulle
into bis brain.
Mr.. Price was treasurer Of the Ma
tional Permanent Building Association
In thus ending his life he followed tn,
example Of John w. Schaefer. his prede
cessor in that office. who shot himsel
dead some seven years ago.
No note of explanation was left by the
suicide. The determination to end his life
1t is assumed, was the compelling in
spiration of moment and executed a.
soon as conceived.
The suicide held his revolver agains
the middle of his forehead. Death mus
have been instantaneous.
Friends who were with him yesterday
and last night heard from him no word
to indicate he contemplated taking his
life. They knew of his condition, how
ever. and were with him longer than
usual. AS late as 10 o'clock last night he
seemed to be cheerful, although there was
no improvement in his nervous condition
The tragedy occurred in the middle
room on the second floor of the Price
home, Il 4th street southeast, about 5:4a
o'clock. His wife was the only other
person in the house at the time the shot
was fired. The pistol shot aroused her
from sleep in the front room.
Leaving her bed and hurrying to her
husbands S room Mrs. Price stepped on the
pistol he had dropped on the floor beside
the bed. She picked up the weapon and
secreted it beneath the mattress. Blood
gushing from the wound the .32-caliber
bullet had made in his forehead indicated
what had happened.
Mrs. Price hurried to the front of the
house to summon assistance. DIR. l.. l..
Friedrich of 329 East Capitol street re-
sponded. Life was extinct when the
physician reached the house.
John Shugrue and NJ. T. Dixon, who
were associated with Mr.. Price in the
National Permanent Building Association,
were sent for. They remained to attend
to what was made necessary by the death
of their business associate.
Was Forty-Three Years of Age.
MrssPrice was born In this city forty
three years ago. Overwork in conducting
his many business enterprises had broken
down his nervous system. His wife and
others recently found 1t necessary to look
after him. He had been under treatment
during recent months. but there was no
Improvement in his condition.
When his brother-in-law, Joseph Har-
per, died he was greatly affected. Yes
terday he participated. with relatives, in
the perfecting of the funeral arrange
ments. driving to Rock Creek cemetery.
Last night he was at his office until
nearly 10 O'Clock, although his associates
in the building association had not re-
Gently permitted him to do any work on
the books out of sympathy for his con-
dition.
Popular In Business Circles.
Mr.. Price was popular in business and
social circles. He was a son of the late
George Price Of Alexandria, who was en-
ployed in the government printing office
for many years. His mother, who also
died number Of years ago, was a native
of Baltimore.
When young man Mr.. Price was en-
ployed in the auction house of Charles
C. Duncanson, 9th and d streets. Later
he accepted a position as teller in the
Central National Bank, remaining there
until he graduated in law.
AS member of the law firm of Lester
& Price he was frequently in the courts
Several years ago he became part owner
of the Lafayette baths, was owner of the
Hippodrome Theater and treasurer OF
the National Permanent Building Associa-
tion.s
He was a member of Dawson Lodge
F. A. A. NJ, and of the Glebe Cunning
and Fishing Club.
A splendid shot with a rifle, an occa
sional hunting trip on the Patuxent river
was his favorite recreation. He did no
spend much time away from his bust
ness enterprises, however, although h,
was at Asbury Park this summer. III,
was looked upon as a successful bust
ness man.
Mr.. Price is survived by his widow
and by two sisters and a brother. Hi
sisters are Mrs. Belle Harper, widow O.
Joseph Harper. clerk of the Juvenil,
Court, who died two days ago, and Mrs
Ida Greenwell. widow of Joseph Green
well. who was a prominent resident O.
Capitol Hill. Morris Price is his brother
Mrs. Price was so terribly affected by
the tragedy that she was unable to see
Coroner hewitt to tell him of the ex.
citing incident of the early morning
\ The coroner heard from DIR. Friedrich
and the police the circumstances at
tending the shooting. and was told OF
the finding of the weapon on the floor.
Search was made for a note, but none
was found. The coroner was told OF
how seriously the nervous system OF
the lawyer had been affected, and how
| he had spent many restless nights
having been in the habit Of going from
| one room to another during the night
Last night he changed his SleeDinc