Despondent Man Dresses For Church,Seals Weekly Offering,Then
Takes Life

Neighbors Find Body of John D. Smith Retired Shop Employee at His Home

With an envelope containing $1.25 weekly offering to the First Baptist church,sealed and perpared for the collection plate at the church lying by his side, the body of John D. Smith 62 years old,was found yesterday morning by neighbors at his home 224 South Mt. Vernon avenue.

Smith had committed suicide by shooting himself through his left temple with a 32 caliber revolver. The bullet had passed entirely thorugh his brain.

DRESSED TO GO TO SUNDAY SERVICE

Smith was fully clothed and his hat on the chair nearby leading to the belief that he had prepared to attend church Sunday morning as was his custom but in a moment of desperation brought on by ill health anddespondency determined to take his own life. He left no note to explain his act but neighbors stated that since the death of his wife three years ago Smith had often suffered spells of despondency and recently had been in ill health.

The body was found by Mrs. Hasel M. Connelly,226 South Mt. Vernon avenue, a neighbor,who noticied that curtains to Smith's house had not been raised yesterday morning as his custom. She investigated, believing Smith was ill, and found the body. The police were immediately notified and made an investigation.

Coroner J.B. Hanna madean investigation of the case and signed the death certificate without an inquest stating that Smith came to his death from gunshot wounds in the head self inflicted with suicidal intent.

The body was removed to the Mark B. Shaw Co. mortuary where it is held pending funeral arrangements.

Smith had resided in San Bernardino for 23 years and for the past 2 years had been an employee of the mechanical department of the Santa Fe here. He had resided alone since the death of his wife three years ago, but often brooded over her loss,neighbors said.