East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-03-10
WALTER s. WELLS
COMMITS SUICIDE
At HIS HOME HERE
Driven to Despair Because Of Drink
Habit is Cause Of Act His Friends
Believe.
SENDS BULLET INTO HEAD
Man Dies Almost MISUNDERSTANDING
Past Few Years lie Had Become
Strongly Addicted 10 LIquor-Iie
Was nc One Time Member OF the
City Council and Well Known.

Less than a week after his wife
had secured divorce from him,
Walter S. Wells. we'll known resident
OF this city, last night committed sui
eide at his home. 129 Lewis street. by
shooting himself through the head
with a .3S callber revolver. Death
was almost instantaneous.
lie left no note OF explanation but
n Is generally supposed that he was
driven TO the tragic act by despair
and dependency over the habits
which he had formed and which had
wrecked his home and his life. Dur
ing the past few years he had become
strongly addicted TO the use OF IL
quor, so much so TO be incapacitated
for steady work. one Of the eonse-
duences OF his habitual indulgences
was the divorce instituted recently by
his wife and which resulted in a de-
cree last Friday afternoon.
Following the funeral OF his broth
er-in-law. Geary Judson. Monday
morning, he was taken to the home
OF W. II. Evans near Pilot Rock, Mr..
Evans, also brother-ln-law, having
determined to keep him on his farm
away from temptation until he could
cure himself OF his weakness. Ho
STAYED there overnight Monday but
Tuesday morning went into Pilot
Rock and from there came on into
Pendleton. Mr.. Evans telephoned TO
the police to send him back out on
the afternoon stage but they were
unable to find him.
Coroner l. Called.
He was home during the evening
with his son. Nathan Wells ana
shortly before 10 o'clock stepped out
into the backyard and shot himself.
The bullet entered the right side OF
his head. just back Of the temple and
lodged back OF the left eye. His son
heard the shot and ran out TO find
his worst fears confirmed. Nelgh-
bors also heard the shot and some
were called to the house. Coroner j.
II Brown was summoned and took
the body in charge until this morn
ing when II was removed 10 the fol-
som undertaking parlors.
The funeral will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock In the Folsom
chanel and interment In olney GEM
etery will follow. The members Oh
the Eagle lodge, to which he belong
ed viii assist in conducting the ser
vices.
Was Well Known.
Deceased was past 90 years old ana
had been a resident OF Pendleton for
approximately 40 years, being the son
of a well known early-day family He !
was engaged in various occupations 1
during his life. He introduced the
first street sprinkler in Pendleton
and for years had the city contract
for sprinkling At one time he was
engaged in farming, renting land and
raising hay upon It. About ten years
ago he was a member OF the city
council. A few years ago he entered
the employ OF the water department
and remained in that service until {
about two years ago. Until liquor
fastened It's hold upon him, he was
a very useful citizen and enjoyed the
respect OF the community.
He is survived by the one son,
brother. VIII Wells, who Is supposed
TO be In Seattle, and three sisters,
Mrs. william II. Evans, who lives
near Pilot Rock, Mrs. Frank Zeiglef
Of Moscow, Idaho and Mrs. Matte q
simmons OF Tumtum. Washington. =