The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-09-23
6. JOHNSON A
SUICIDE HERE
FOUND AT NINE O'CLOCK LAST
NIGHT IN LOCAL HOTEL WITH
BULLET WOUND in HEAD
Ill Health and Dependency Supposed
Causes Of Tragedy-TOld
Friends Good Bye

OuSl JOuuSOu, dSou a, COmmlJC0u
suicide last night between the hours
of and 8 at the Idaho hotel by shoot
ing himself through the head with a
Colt .32 automatic revolver, purchased
few hours before at the Moscow
Hardware company. III health and
temporary insanity induced by hem
orrahges of the brain, it is thought,
were responsible for the young mans
act.
The body was still warm when
found at o'clock by A. J. Simonson,
investigation when another occupant
returning from the fair grounds
found the room locked. An entrance
was effected through the transom and
the body found before a dresser with
the hands folded underneath. A bull
let wound had been made just be-
hind the right ear. No one heard the
shot, and it is not known definitely
just when the tragedy occurred.
Johnson returned Wednesday from
Harrison, Ida, where he went last
spring to work in blacksmith shop.
a letter addressed to an uncle, N. A.
Anderson, who lives four miles south
east of Moscow near Paradise noun
tain, was found on his person, telling
of his ill health and fear of losing his
position.
Between and o'clock yesterday |
afternoon he visited friends in the !
Oberg Bros. store and yesterday morn--F
ing purchased hat a belt, some col
lars and other personal effects there. |
II can't believe the young man was
lin his right mind when he lifted I
the act" said Charles Oberg, manag-
er of the firm this morning. When
he was in here he seemed to be as jOl-
ly as ever, but complained of his
head and told about having to give UP
his position because of the smoke
from the shop where he worked ag-
gravating his affliction. l believe the
act was committed in a fit of insan-
which he had suffered recently"
"Mr johnson acted perfectly ra-
tional when he purchased the autom-
attic pistol with which he committed
suicide" said E. P. Christensen, of 1
the Moscow Hardware company, who
sold Johnson the gun yesterday after
noon, in describing the actions of the /
unfortunate man, this morning. lie
purchased the best gun in the case,
and did not spend any time bargaining.
The store was open until 5 o'clock in
the afternoon, and he was in few
minutes after it opened. He was in !.
once before this week, | don't remem-
Der whether the day he arrived from
Harrison or after, inquiring about his
uncle N, A. Anderson.
It was remembered this morning :
by very close friend of the young ;
man that in parting yesterday after +
noon he bid her good bye very signif- !,
icantly, although at the time nothing =
was thought of the incident except +
that Johnson acted queer repeating
his adieus.
At the hotel he frequently COM
planned of his i'll health, and made the :
statement when registering that he
had returned to Moscow from Harri- =
son to rest up and recover from mis-
illness, according to A. ]. Simonson.
He was seen at the hotel by waiter
at o'clock, and at that time seemed
in a jovial mood.
1t was decided that an inquest was
The body is at the Grice
Funeral Parlors, awaiting word from
4 sister supposed to be in the north
ern part of the state. Unless word is
received the funeral will be held from
the parlors at 2:30 tomorrow after
noon under the auspices of the Modern
Woodmen of which deceased was
member.