Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-09
B. GRAVES KERR ALIVE;
SUICIDE REPORT MYTH
I'ynchburg Man Is Located in Room
at Young Mems Christian AssO.
citation in HOpewcll.
BROTHERS COME TO RICHMOND
Police and Kinsmen Of Opinion That
Visitor Himself Gave Out Story Of
Leaping From Mayo Bridge Into
james River.


B. Graves Kerr. thirtyfve years
old. recently employed as tobacco
salesman. who was reported to have
committed suicide on Wednesday after
noon by leaping from Mayo Bridge into
James River, Is alive. and last night
was sleeping soundly at the Young
Mems Christian Association Building
in Hopewell, according to the secre-
tary of that institution. This dis
covcry was made following an inves-
tgation OF the circumstances sur
rounding the alleged suicide.
The information was given to ]. n.
and Yancey Kerr. brothers of =. G.
Kerr. and they at once got into COM
munication with the secretary of the
Young Mems Christian Association. at
Hopewell. They were informed that
their brother was then asleep in his
room. and that he had communicated
with his wife i'll Lynchburg. denying
reports OF his death, which had been
circulated here by wv. Fl. Carroll" J.
H. Kerr would not disturb his brother
last night, finding that he was con-
siderahly depressed as result OF tho
reports. but left word with the secre-
tary to have him called at the Rich
nond Hotel early this morning before
y. @. Kerr started for his work at the
Du Pont plant.
The two brothers OF the reported
suicide arrived In Richmond yester-
police headquarters. There they were
informed that their brother had been
found y; Hopewell. and they at once
set out to suhstantiate the report. Later
i'm the night the brothers telegraphetl
their Sister-in-law and other relatives
that Kerr was safe.
RELIEVE: "CARRoIL" WAS
NONE OTHER HUT KERR
The point puzziing the local police
is who is wv. II. Carroll? Detective
Sergeant willy and the brothers of the
alleged suicide said last night that
they were firm In the conviction that
r. G. Kerr himself was the man who
nesday night and reported the suicide"
Policeman Gary was on duty at head
quarters AT the time and saw Car
roll" when he came there to report the
suicide Of his friend"
When questioned by ]. H. Kerr last
night. Gary was able to give de-
scrlp,ion OF Carroll" which. accord
ing TO Kerr, is an excellent descrip
t!on of his brother. Neither of the
brothers was able TO give any reason
why r. 6. Kerr should have attempted
suicide or have reported his suicide"
to the police. Roth Of them said their
brother had been respondent for some
time as n result OF his wife's illness.
HAD had COMA MON
WHILE AT HOTEL
Doubt as to the authenticity Of the
suicide" was caused early yesterday
when il was learned that the night
Waterman on Mayo bridge had heard
nothing of the alleged suicide aud had
not been engaged in search for the
body as had been reported. This doubt
was strengthened when the police Of
tho Third Precinct denied they had
been informed Of the suicide" or that
they had been engaged in a search for
the bCdr.
Upon Investigation II was found that
no person by the name OF wv. II. Car
roll. Of baltimore" had been registered
~ Murphy's Hotel or had occupied
room 5l5 with Kerr. IT also was
learned that Kerr had registered at
the hotel Tuesday, but had paid in adj
vance and had left early on Wednesday
afternoon
This caused doubts as to the reslity
OF the suicide" When il was learned
that Kerr had been employed at Hope
we'll. information was sought there
and he was located II was learned
that he had communicated with his
wife and his uncle. Basley Graves. IN
Danviie.
~ am positive that Graves mug,
have been laboring under some niisnp
and must have imagined the
entire AFFAIR" said y. II. Kerr las,
night Yancey Kerr agreed with hin,
but neither was able TO give any rem
son for the act other than that their
brother was Respondent