Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-25
Charles Montgomery, so, Had
Been Member of Force
for 20 Years.
CERTIFICATE OF SUICIDE
IS ISSUED BY CORONER
Waterman Finds Body After Col
ored Man Is Seen in Flight
From Room.

policeman assigned to the police prop
erty room, fired a bullet through his
brain, killing himself instantly, in the
layatory at the District Building this
morning. He had been member OF
the force % years. Coroner j. Ramsay
hewitt issued a certificate of suicide.
No one saw the veteran officer shoot
Himself and for time detectives were
In doubt as to whether he fired the
fatal bullet or the revolver was acct
IDENTIFY discharged. A colored. man who
was in the room at the time was finally
located, however and gave information
which led to the issuance Of the suicide
certificate.
Friends this morning said that Mont
womery had been suffering from heart
trouble. No other reason was advanced
for his act. His widow, Mrs. Pauline
Montgomery, was informed OF the
tragedy few minutes after 1t occurred
by q Star reporter.
Bullet Found on Floor.
The .38-caliber bullet, which entered
lust above the right temple and emerged
above the left ear, was found on the
floor. fiattened by its impact against a
stone wall. The revolver was laying
beside him on the floor. Montgomery
was seated. leaning back against the
wall.
Herbert Tolson, colored, pit H street
southwest, said he heard the shot and
then the thud Of the heavy gun strik-
ing the floor. He ran from the room
in fright.
Frederick Hess, 54o1 Thirteenth street,
n Waterman at the District Building,
observed his fight and went to inves-
tiaate, He said he could not hear the
report of the revolver, which was muf-
fed by the heavy walls. Within
short time most of the members OF the
Detective Bureau then on duty had
crowded into the room to see the body
of the officer whom most of them knew
intimately. A crowd quickly gathered,
and uniformed policemen were neceS-
sary to clear a path for the stretcher
bearing the body to the Morgue. Dr.
Francis Gilfoy of the Emergency Hos
pital staff, responded to call with the
ambulance, but 1t was too late for his
services. He pronounced Montgomery
dead.
A second man was located who was
about to enter the room when he heard
the shot, but could give nothing to sup
plement Tolson's testimony. He Is All
bert Sweet, 1893 Shepherd street.
Montgomery lived at 656 street
northeast with his wife and two chill
dren, Loretta, 81 years old, and Charles,
jr., Is years old.
Commended Five Times.
Interspersed in Montgomery'S long rec
ord of service with the Police Depart
ment are i've concentrations for the
excellence of his work. One was In
connection with the hold-up of gro
Gerry store of Frank Hume October 20,
1909. The others were for solving
burglaries and arrest Of automobile
thieves.
Montgomery was a lifelong resident OF
Washington, and was appointed to the
notice force January /, 1909. Four years
later ne was transferred from foot 20
bicycle duty, and April !, 1919, was dis
mounted and assigned to the property
room at the District Building.
Edward v. Wall and Harry @. Bauer,
also employed in the property room,
said that he appeared cheerful this
morning, and at no time had manifested
Mny signs Of morbidness or dependency.
Lieut.. Joseph Morgan, chief OF the
homicide squad, was at headquarters at
the time and Immediately took charge
of the case. He was assisted by George
Darnall, John Fowler and Thomas 4.
sweeney. also members of the squad.
MONTGOMERY arrested Senator Thomas
J. Helm following the shooting OF
colored man and white man March
~, 1908.
Squash Center mourned the loss
today of Montgomery.
Known as "Sluash Center"
The property room at police head
quarters has become known as Squash
Center Well-known rural forum, pc
cause of the daily habit OF detectives
and other officials in gathering there 10
eat their lunches and talk over events
Of the day.
MONTGOMERY was a central figure in
these discussions, it was pointed out to-
day by Lieut.. Morgan. Usually he
talked of radio, which was his hobby,
but often the conversation turned to
politics. or police developments or other
widely diversified things.
So famous has Squash Center" be-
come that high officials of the District
building have dropped in to join in the
friendly chats. Maj HesSe, former
police chief, was frequent visitor, it
Is said.
Today's meeting of the Center"
habitueS was adjourned out Of respect
for the memory of Montgomery, and
there were indications the pleasant
forums In the property room might be