| Lawrence Fritch |
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Albany Man the Victim--Shotgun the Cause Was Despondent From Drink Lawrence Fritch, a Glass-Worker Takes His Own Life Yesterday Afternoon at Albany Albany had another sensational suicide yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the victim being another glass worker who became despondent from the excessive use of intoxicating drinks. The victim was Lawrence Fritch, whose family resides in Pendleton, and is aged fifty-one years, and a man well known in glass circles. Fritch had been working in Albany for the past three months, or during the present fire, and the past few weeks, it is claied, had been under the influence of intoxicants almost constantly. Yesterday morning he was seen on the streets intoxicated, and soon after the noon hour he went to his sleeping room at the home of George Abbott. Shortly after he had entered the room, several ladies who formed a quilting party at the Abbott home and were in an adjoining room, were startled by the report of a gun. A hasty investigation was made, and showed that the shot had been fired by the hand of the suicide, and that he had done his work well. The man had a fine sample of a shotgun in is room, and while his mind was temporarily deranged, placed the muzzel against his breast over his heart, and reaching forward pulled the trigger, sending hs soul to eternity. The contents of the barrel tore a great hole, hand his heart was torn into shreds, causing almost instant death. A physician was summoned, but when he arrived the man was dead, having never uttered a word after the shooting. His remains were taken in charge by brother glass workers, and today will be sent to Pendleton for burial. Dr. Poland, the county coroner, was summoned, and drove to Albany last night to view the body and take evidence in the case. This is the second similar suicide in the town in the last few weeks, the other man having become despondent from drink. |