REJECTED IN LOVE—SUICIDE

ELLINWOOD LEADER

Osborne Man Takes Own Life in Hotel Here Saturday Evening

Bernard Millet, aged about 32 years, committed suicide in the Hotel Wolf dining room in this city Saturday evening about 7 o’clock, shooting himself through the head with a bullet from a .32 caliber automatic revolver. Although the bullet entered his right temple and came out through the top of his head, leaving a gaping wound through the brain, the man lived for almost five hours, expiring just a few minutes before midnight.

Original newspaper article donated by daughter of Leona Hirsh Werner, who was present the evening of Bernard's suicide

The exact cause for the taking of his life is unknown, relatives professing to know of no reason why he should have committed the deed. However, from letters on his person, it is believed that unrequited love was responsible. Reports are to the effect that he was engaged to one of the popular young women of Larned and that the engagement had recently been broken off, and brooding over this is the most probable solution of the mystery.

Just when Millet arrived in Ellinwood is not known, nor is it known where he came from to this city, but it is presumed that he came here from Great Bend on the 4:30 train on Saturday afternoon, as he went into the clothing department of the Stephan & Isern Mercantile Co establishment shortly after that time and purchased new trousers, shirts and other articles, and later went to the Jung barber shop where he had his shoes cleaned and shined. The fact that he had a small package of clothing that came from the Wells Store in Great Bend leads to the belief that he came to Ellinwood from that place.

Shortly before 6 o'clock, he went to the Wolf Hotel and registered and told Leo Wurm, the manager, that he desired to go to his room and clean up before supper time. He went into the dining room a few moments later and ordered his supper and started eating, but loitered over his meal so long that all of the other guests had left the room before he had finished and at the time the shot was fired there was no one in the room but one of the hotel employees, Miss Leonna Hirsch, who was straightening up the tables, Miss Elizabeth Werener was playing the piano in the room.

While Miss Hirsch was straightening the other tables, she noticed that Millet kept putting his hand in his right coat pocket and seemingly fumbling with something in his pocket and was otherwise acting in a peculiar manner. She became alarmed and was just starting to leave the room when he suddenly pulled the revolver from his pocket and placing it against his right temple pulled the trigger. Both of the girls immediately rushed from the room into the kitchen adjoining, giving the alarm, but those in the kitchen could hardly believe that this had taken place on account of the fact that he had held the revolver so closely against his head that the noise of the explosion was deadened. They had heard the revolver fall from his hand to the floor but thought nothing of the noise. Mrs. Leo Dick was the first in the room and found MIllet slumped over in his chair and the blood streaming from his head. A physician was summoned instantly but an examination showed that the bullet had plowed clear through the brain and nothing could be done to save his life.

At about 6:30 p.m., he entered the dining room of the hotel, where arrangements had been made for the evening meal. He sat down at a table, and a few moments later, he was observed patting his hand against his breast pocket. Suddenly, he pulled a revolver from his coat, placed it against his right temple, and pulled the trigger. The shot was muffled due to the close range, and although those in the kitchen adjoining the dining room heard the sound, they were unsure of what had happened.

Steps were taken at once to locate relatives and friends. It was discovered that he was a member of Post No. 1 of the American Legion at Osborne, Kansas. A check with Larned authorities revealed that he had previously lived there and had a brother, G.T. Millet, who was employed in the post office in that city. The brother and his wife arrived in Ellinwood just a few hours before Bernard Millet passed away.

The young man had been a resident of Larned for several years and had been employed in the show business at one time. It was learned that he had recently visited Salina and had been seen wandering the streets just a few days before coming to Ellinwood. Reports indicate that he had been drinking heavily in the days leading up to his death.

The body was taken to the Wheeler undertaking parlor, where it was prepared for burial. Sheriff Hill and County Attorney Lameraux arrived from Great Bend and held an inquest. The coroner’s jury, composed of Dr. J. Weber, Marie Dick, L. Herold, Charles Jenish, and Jake Hartnett, rendered a verdict of death by suicide.

The deceased's parents, who reside in Osborne, were notified, and arrangements were made for the remains to be sent home for burial. Bernard Millet was about 22 years of age, and while little is known of his recent activities, it is believed that he had been deeply troubled over personal matters.