The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-21
SHOT IN TEMPLE
Robert, Hedderman Found
Dead in His Room.
Family Claims an Accident
Officers Say Suicide.

Hearing shot just after she had
spoken to Robert Hedderman, her son,
in his room, Mrs. Henry Hedderman,
ITO Polk street. found him dying from
a bullet wound through the top OF
his head. A revolver was found in
the bed clothing by his brother,
John Hedderman, who answered the
call of the frenzied woman when she
made the grewSOme discovery. He'd
derman lived about two hours, dying
shortly after 8 O'Clock Friday night.
County officers believe the case so
plain that they pronounce it suicide
without further investigation. the
members of the family believe the
young man was accidentally killed
examining the revolver.
Henry Hedderman, father of the dead
man is a we'll known contractor and
Robert Hedderman, aged about 80
father in contracting. He was staying
at home. He was down town most of
Friday, returning home about $50
o'clock.
IIedderman greeted his brother,
John Hedderman, and his mother
pleasantly when he reached home at
$3.50 o'clock Friday evening. He went
to his room on the second floor OF the
Hedderman home. A few minutes
later his mother climbed the stair to
tell him the evening meal would not
be ready for some time so he would
have time to lie down and rest. His
only reply was:
''TelI John I'll see him in the morn
ing
Mrs. Hedderman started down the
stairs but had taken only few steps
when she heard a shot.
She rushed to the room and found
her son in bed and blood streaming
from a wound in his head. John He'd
derman answered his mothers scream
and pulling back the bed clothes
found the revolver with which his
brother is said to have killed himself.
He then ran to the home of a neigh
Dor and asked thin to call a physician.
After about 40 minutes Doctors J. A.
Crabb and S. A. johnson were reach
ed and went to the Hedderman home.
They were unable to aid the dying
man.
Only one shot was fired from the
revolver with which Hedderman is
supposed to have taken his life. When
neighbors reached the Hedderman
home the weapon had been removed
from the bed by John Hedderman.
White took the shells from it and put
the weapon in his pocket.
Bob Hedderman, the suicide, had
been in poor health for some time. He
is known to have been drinking hard
at various times recently. The parents
declare there is no question but that
his death was the result of suicide.
At the time the shot was fired only
Mrs. Hedderman and her son John
were in the house with the suicide.
Henry Hedderman, the father, was
informed by long distance telephone
of his sons death. He was in Kansas
City at the time.
The members of the family declare
they believe Robert Hedderman was
accidently shot by himself. Houses in
that neighborhood have been burglar
lied lately and John Hedderman had
purchased the revolver to be used in
warding off burglars. Their theory is
that the dead man was probably put
ting the revolver under his pillow when
it was discharged. The wound is such
wound as might have been received
in that way, according to statements
made to the county officers. However
there was no knowledge among other
members of the family that Hedderman
had his brothers revolver 1t had not
been missed from the room.
No inquest ill be held according to
the statement of the coroner The
death was evidently due to self in
f1icted wound whether with suicidal in
tent or by accident.