The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-18
NORTH BIRMINGHAM.
 MERCHANT IS FOUND DEAD IN LOCAL HOTEL SHOT THROUGH HEAD
Absence of. Powder Burns on Cousins Head Lead Detectives to Discredit
 Suicide Theory

James Lorenzo Cousins, aged 40 years, n well known merchant of North Birmfn ghani, was found dead with n bullet hole in his head yesterday. after noon at 2i35 o'clock In room 27 at the Suburban hotel. A .3s caIiber pistol was found the floor close to the body. No siEn of any powder marks could be found the body of the de- ceased. This fact, coupled with other circumstances surrounding the death of Cousins. lead the police to doubt the theory of suicide. Detectives Brown and Cartwright have been detailed to investigate the death.
 The body of the deceased was found by n negro maid in the employ of tht hotel who opened the door to clean up the room. Al first the maid did not notice any blood and advanced to tell Cousins she would clean up the room if he was ready. She then saw pool of blood on the floor and ran from the room screaming. Hotel Clerk w E, Leach who happened to be on the same floor. immediately went to the room.
 The sight that met my eyes was hor- rible," said Leach. "The man was in a sitting posture directly in front of the mirror of the dresser. Blood was all over the room A revolver was on the floor near the body and blood was still oozing from big hole In his head The man was partially undressed and the light was not burning. l imm ately notified the police and Coroner Spain who were on the scene few minutes later
 The dead man registered at the ho- tel Wednesday night about 9:30 or 10 o'clock and appeared to be In a normal frame of mind. assigned him to room No g. He registered under the name of J. L. Cox. l heard no more from him until l found him dead"
 None of the occupants of the hotel heard the shot The bullet which killed the man entered his head just back of the right ear and came out about two inches above his left ear, then struck the screen of the open window and fell into the court. The detectives have this bullet in their possession. Although the rooms in the vicinity where Cousins was found dead were occupied none of the occupants heard the shot The police are of the opinion that the man met his death sometime yesterday morning. This theory is brought out by the fact that the light in the room was not burn ing when the body was found yesterday afternoon at 2:3o o'clock. The shades in the room were up and the windows were wide open. The door to the room oc- cupied by the dead man was unlocked and the key was found on the inside.
 Detectives Ben Brown and Cartwright were frank when questioned as to their opinion on the case.
 We don't mind saying that We are of the opinion that James Cousins did not come to his death by his own hand said Brown. No possible motive can be advanced to show that the deceased had any cause to kill himself It is true that his store burned oown a few days ap hI1f ha hQA tlla inc taro tc. the loss He had devoted family and was a man of irreproachable character. The absence of any powder marks alone would lead one to suspect that something was wrong, but we are not going on this motive alone. We have other clews and will run them all down before we get through.
 Detective Cartwright said: Conductor Mitchell. running on the North Birming- ham car line, took MT. Cousins into town last night and says that he had never seen man in more jovial frame of mind. Cousins had a friend with him and they were talking in light vein all the way into town. This was shortly be- fore Cousins is supposed to have reg istered at the Suburban. The deceased was not given to drinking and was an honorable citizen in every respect.
 The deceased was 40 years of age and is survived by his widow and one daugh- ter Rebecca, 9 years of age; also his mother, Mrs s. G. Cousins; and two brothers Dr. E. P. Cousins and E. M. Cousins, of the Sturkey Hat company Dr. Cousins when questioned last night in regard to the death of his brother said:
 T cannot reconcile myself to the thought that my brother committed sui- eide. He certainly had no reason to do such a thing. He was in good financial condition and was happily married He was a very proud man and fond of his family to the extent of idolatry It is awful I do not believe Jim killed him self'
 The remains of the deceased are being held by Johns Undertaking company pending funeral arrangements, which will be announced later.