The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-03-08
SUICIDE OF W|LL|GE
PUTS END TO PLAN
FOR REORGANIZATION
Associates of Dead Broker
May Wind Up Firms At
fairs Immediately.


OF j. Louis Wilige, one OF the best
known realty brokers in Washington
mas put sudden end to plans that had
been maturing for the last two weeks
ior the reorganization of the ]. Louis
st,;ts Sts5 TiUmpam{' with view tc
Gultics in which the concern is said to
have been involved.
=, The reorganization plans were prnc
t"3lly ready Cor %onsummation. and
through his brain late yesterday aft er-
noon In his office at COS Thirteenth
street northwest, he had been discuss
ing the details of the new organization.
he appeared rather optimistic over the
prospects for the future, and told his
associates that he believed everything
would work out, all right in a week or
1t was also stated today plans for the
reorganization probably would be aban.
doned, and the business wound I'D as
soon as possible.
Showed Optimism Yesterday.
Ernest II. Daniel, Mr.. Wiliges for
mer business partner, with whom he
had been comforting Just before he
killed himself. said today that Mr..
Willige told him yesterday he had every
reason to believe matters were, to have
been satisfactorily Strengthened out.
Mr.. Daniel stated, however, that as
he was in no way connected with the
firm now he could not say, of course,
what would be done.
The Company's offices are closed to-
day, but members of the firm said that
SO fan no definite plans had been made
Tor the future.
Arrangements for the funeral of Mr..
Wtllge have not been completed as yet
although the service probably will be
held with Masonic honors.
The Rev. Paul A. Mcneil, of Concordia
Lutheran Church, will offiCiate at the
n NJ h,IY oil Ht.iII h., tn Nl,Y
wood Cemetery.
Well Known AS Broker.
AIR. Willige was one of the known
realty operators in Washington, and
news of his suicide came as a great
shock to a large circle of business as
sociates and friends. While it was
known he was worried over financial
matters, friends said today that his en-
barrasment was never as serious as he
imagined. 1t was confidently expected
that he would be able to straighten out
his affairs within a short time.
1t is believed that he had been con-
templating suicide since about a week
ago, when he purchased the revolver
with which he ended his life. He SEEM
ed in his usual good spirits yesterday
and shortly after l o'clock left the Of
flee to go to lunch. 1t was nearly
o'clock when he returned.
Ernest II. Daniels, his former partner,
who had been endeavoring to assist him
in Strengthening out the firms affairs
was in the office when he returned. Mr.
Willige was closeted in his private Of
flee with Mr.. Daniels when a customer
called him to the front office.
When the customer left Mr.. Willege
went to the wash room, in the rear OF
the building. and a few seconds later
there was the report of a pistol shot
Mr. Daniels, Harry Tansill, the book
keeper; Augustus WilliSe, brother Of
the suicide, and several of the sales
men, who were in the office at the time
rushed to the back room. The dOol
was locked, but they forced it open
Mr.. Willige was lying on the floor with
u bullet wound in his left temple. By
his side was the revolver.
Hurried To Hospital.
An ambulance was called and Mr.
Hospital, where he died ten minutes
later.
Mr.. WilIige was thirty-cight years
old, and at one time was private seCre'
tary to the late Samuel +. Langley
secretary of the Smithsonian Insutu'
ton, and one of the first men to eX'
pertinent with heavier than-air nying
machines. Later Mr.. Willise was ap.
pointed law clerk of the institution.
Although he had been actively inter
ested in the real estate business ir
Washington for about ten years, Mr.
until four years ago, when he became
the active head of the firm of Willige
Gibbs g. Daniels.
On September I, last, the partnership
was discovered, and Mr.. Willige organ
lied the J. Louis Willige Company
maintaining the same office, at COS Thir,
teenth street northwest. Associated with
him in the new enterprise were G. Ed.
ward Crump, first vice president; Will
liam A. Foster, second vice president
William c. Holmes, secretary. and Will
liam p. Herbst, treasurer. Later Mr.
Willige purchased Mr.. Crump's interest
in the business.
The business, however did not prove
as successful as had been hoped, an6
some months ago Mr.. Wiilige suffered
a severe nervous breakdown. 1t was
said that Mr.. Willige had taken on his
shoulders more than he had anticipated
and the worry proved great strain.
Active AS Investigator
Besides his real estate interests, Mr.
Willige devoted much time to public
affairs and was an active member Of
the Chamber of Commerce. He was
chairman of the special committee of the
Chamber appointed to investigate the
high cost of living and chairman of an
other special committee that conducted
an exhaustive investigation into the
milk supply of the District from ny
gienic standpoint
Mr.. WIlige was also prominent in Ma
sonic circles. He was a past master o
Harmony Lodge, +. A. A. NJ; a mem
Der of Washington COmmandeery, No.
knights Templar, an dof Almus Tempt
Mystic Shrine. He was also a membe
of the Columbia Country club, tn
Monday Evening Club, and the Com
merClal Club.
Twelve years ago Mr.. Willgc wa
married to Miss lillian Dunkhorst. o
this city Besides his widow he is sur
Vived by two brothers and five sisters.
Funeral services for Mr.. WiIlig
will be held at the family residence
1901 Park road northwest, at = o'Clocl
tomorrow afternoon. The Rev. Pau
A. Mcneil of the ConCordia Lutheran
Church, will offCiate. lnterment will
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