The Troubled Piano Man of Seattle

Last night about nine o’clock, Paul Koerner, who earns a livelihood by playing a piano in a drinking saloon, shot himself in the left breast with a navy revolver, the ball entering at the nipple and lodging. This afternoon our reporter called upon the wounded man and found him sitting in a chair asleep. He soon after awoke, and with the wild stare common to those delirious from the excessive use of whisky, demanded his boots, saying he must hurry to the boat and go to Steilacoom. After being quieted he walked to the bed without any apparent difficulty. The wound does not bleed outwardly, nor does Koerner breathe as though his lung was filled with blood. This is the same man who attempted to shoot a woman some months ago, and shot a man in the ankle. He was adjudged insane and sent to the asylum at Steilacoom, and as soon as the effects of liquor were off no signs of insanity were visible. Our morning contemporary was in error in stating that Paul Koerner was sinking rapidly; there are no indications to justify such an assertion. As an indication of the condition of the man's mind, we may state that he still avows his intention of killing himself; says he was not crazy when he attempted self-destruction—but that he is tired of life and wants to die. It is dangerous to have such a person at large. This man should be put in the Insane Asylum at once, and kept there.