The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-25
LONG SEARCH FOR
HENRY BR|EL ENDS
Lifeless Body of Aged Man
Found Hanging From Tree
Near Brook Turnpike Bridge.
A CLEAR CASE OF SUICIDE
Retired Butcher Had Deliberate
ly Planned Death Missing
Since February p.

Hanging from tho lower bough of
scrub oak, with his feet barely clear
ing the ground. the lifeless body of
Henry Briei, eighty years old. was dis
covered yesterday morning at 1880
O'Clock near Brook Turnpike Bridge.
ltcnrico County, by party of fisher
men. The place. although within 200
yards of a ch-travelcd highway. is
Isolated and is surrounded by n
heavy growth of underbrush The
body had evidently been there since
Mr.. Brel disappeared from his home,
250l iiensington Avenue, on February
e.
Every circumstance pointed to sui
eide. Evidences all around the body
indicated that Mr.. Briel had made de-
libcratc plans To end his life. His
overcoat had been removed and was
fourd a few yards from tho body. The
branch OF the tree from which he WAS
suspended, ovcrhangs Brook Creek
After tying the rope to the bough and
making 1t fast around his neck with n
slip knot. Mr.. Bricl evidently stepped
OFF into space. The rope. piece of
ordinary white cotton clotheslinc. a
quarter OF an inch in diameter. had
stretched with hic weight. and the feet
just touched the earth. Death was due
10 strangulation, according 10 DR.. J.
Fulmer Bright, coroner of Henrico
County
Fishermen Find Body.
The body WAS found by u. G Bailcy.
OF 4d4 South Laurel street /. G.. Terry
of 4O6 Laurel Street. and Earl Bailey.
They had been fishing near Lakeside
and. dissatisfied with their catch. were
walking along the banks of the creek
Immediately upon finding the body the
county authorities were Notified,
Magistrate Thomas r Darracott. who
lives in the vicinity. took charge OF
the situation until the arrival OF Coro-
ncr Bright. After an examination. Dr.
w. Bliley. at whose establishment tho
coroner's Inquest will be held this
morning at II o'clock.
Although in badly decomposcd
condition. the features OF Mr.. Bricl
were easily recognized and several
friends who were attracted to the
scene by the reported discovery of the
body Identified 1t as that OF the MISSING
man. Later the Identification was made
positive by Edward kcck. grandson
of Mr.. Brcl
Mr. Br!cl was clothed as described
by his family He was fully dressed
when found His ovcrcoat had been
removed. however, and his hat was
found at his feet lie was dressed In
II D!tCK coat ana vest. ana wore DARK
trousers with a grayish- black stripe
Had Money In Ills Pockets
Stretched across his vest was n
gold plated watch chain and large
silver watch was in hts vest pocket.
His money was undisturbcd. In his
| pockets was si.32 in small change and
a small pockctbook containing two
car tickets and a transfer from a Broad
and Main car 10 Lakeside. and bearing
ha lat ,t.bn
| last seen alive
Mr.. Br!el was eighty years old He
! is survived by his wife. one daughter.
| Mrs. r w Braucr. with whom lie
| lived. and five grandchildren. No rea-
sons for his act are known He rarely
| left home without his wife when they
frequently went TO the parks for :,
, stroll MIR. Briel was q retired butcher
and had no business worries, and was
provided with ample funds.
Disappeared February 80.
He disappeared from his home on
February - He was seen that after
noon at Seventeenth and Main Streets,
and was later reported To have been
seen in Highland Park. How he
reached the place OF his death is not
known The spot he selected was
some distance from the turnpike and
was inaccessible. 1t is one mile from
the Richmond and Chesapeake Bay
Railway line. and four miles from
Richmond.
since tho disappearance OF Mr.
Br;el the police of Richmond have beer
working hard on the case. The cana
and dock were searched. and circular!
describing the missing man were sent
TO many cities reward aceregatine
1925 was offered for information abou
him.
Werner Not Surprised.
81 am not in the least surprised
| of \,
face was established that the bod
was actually that of Mr.. Rricl. II have
thought for some time he WAS dead
although ! did not think he would
take his own life TO which all indi
cations point | am satisfied that h,
lost his mind: otherwise am certail
he would never have even contemplated
such an act"