The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-29
A. w. Painter, 23OO Buchanan,
Died Late Today at Hospital.
Mother Told Him To Leave His
Half-Sister Alone.
LEFT HIS MONEY TO HER
Louise BIakeley, Age 12, In
herits His Property.
Wife Ran Away With Another
Man, 1t Is Reported.

An attempt to atone for his mis-
deeds by leaving all his possessions to
the girl he had wronged and then
shooting himself thru the head was
made today by Albert Walter Painter.
30 years old. 1900 Buchanan street
This is the third time within the last
year that he had attempted to commit
suicide. It is said. He died at o'clock
this afternoon at st. Francis hospital
Mrs Jack Blakeley. the mother of
the dead man. said this morning
that she had just received a letter
from Painter stating that he was GO
ing to end everything. A note which
Painter wrote was discovered to be
his last viii and testament, in which
he leaves all he possesses to Louise
Blakcley. a half-sister. 12 years old,
and the daughter of Mrs. Blakeley by
a second marriage.
Mrs. Blakeley stated that more than
a weel, ago she discovered that her
son had become intimate with the lit
tie girl and had wronged her. 1t was
said that the girl went to the police
station last Saturday and asked for
protection. but that the police sent
her home.
Mother Warned Him.
Thursday night, Mrs. Biakeley said,
she confronted her son with the asser-
tion that his illegitimate attentions to
the little girl must be. discontinued at
once. He left home. she said. This
morning she received the letter.
According to neighbors. the man
had been subject to fits of despon-
dency for some time. He is said to
have particularly grieved because his
wife ran away with another man some
time ago. IL is said. He lived with his
mother. Mrs. Blakeley.
Painter formerly lived near Eighth
and Lake and this morning he went 20
the home of Mrs. Racheal Ewing, an
old neighbor. living at 1907 East
Eighth avenue. and knocking at the
back door he asked for a drink of
water
Mrs. Ewing asked him IL he would
not come in and he declined but asked
for a pencil and a piece of paper.
These articles were given him and he
thanked Mrs. Ewing and walked away.
a few minutes later Mrs. Ewing heard
Lying In Pool of Blood.
Painter had gone to an old vacant
store near his former home. had
placed the revolver against his head
and pulled the trigger.
Herbert Eggelston, 15-year-old
diately summoned aid.
When the coroner arrived at the
scene Painter was lying in a big pool
of blood but was still alive and he was
rushed to St. Francis hospital.
Painter placed the revolver to his
right temple and fired, tearing a big
hole in his skull
His Last VIII.
Painters last will and testament,
which was discovered in his clothes
at the hospital this morning, reads as
follows:
August 2s, 1919 To whom 1t may
concern: l. Albert Walter Painter. do
hereby bequeath everything / have to
my hnif sister, Miss Louise Il. Blakeley.
] have some wnEes coming from the
Santa Fe and they and what little 1
have in the bank shall go to her.
(Signed)
ALBERT WALTER PAINTER.
Painter Veteran Two Wars.
Painter was a veteran Of the Span
ish-American war and of the late war
with Germany. Chief of Police George
Hannah was one Of the first on the
scene when the shooting was reported
and DR.. Earl G. Brown. city health Of
ficer. was the first doctor to arrive
DR.. c. H. Hensley, acting coroner
was out on another case at the time
The wounded man shot himself witt
, sc revolyer appareutlv nurcba ea5