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Soils Expert Ends His Life Stenographer Finds Body; Had Been in Ill Health and Despondent, Say Friends; Breakdown of Wife Believed Contributory to Death RILLED through the heart by a charge from an automatic 12D gauge shotgun, the body of Griffith Richards, 41, of 132 Lathrop street, associate professor of soils at the University of Wisconsin, was found in pool of blood on the floor of his office in the Soils building at this morning. The body was discovered by Miss Margaret McLeod, Richards' stenographer, when she came to work. Beside the body was the discharged shotgun and the office was splattered with blood. Coroner W. E. Campbell turned verdict of suicide after an investigation, although some Latest of Professor Richards' associates said the death might have been an accident because the dead man was an inveterate hunter Chief Probes and might have been examining the gun. Girl's Claim Desk Neatly Arranged Overwork, ill health, and worry over the condition of his Against Cop wife who has been ill for some years were given as reasons for the act by E. J. Graul, associate OLICE CHIEF FRANK TROSprofessor of soils, and Miss MeP TLE this afternoon was investiLeod. gating claims of an East Side girl that Patrolman Bert Prideaux The desk in Professor Richbeen following her around and ards' office was neatly arranged, otherwise annoying her. The girl although it is generally in some was brought to the police station disorder at this time of the year this morning to identify the patrolman, and she asserted that Prideaux when work is heavy, and the diethe man who has followed her. taphone was covered and pushed Chief Trostle said would issue no back in a corner. No note of exstatement on the case until tonight. planation was found. Miss McLeod was partially State Takes hysterical after finding the body. She had gone to the office thinking Professor Richards might Over State have some work for her. Had Been Despondent Banko Lodi Professor Richards had been in ill health and despondent recently, other of his departHE State Bank of Lodi was ment said, His wife suffered mentaken over by the state banking tal breakdown several years ago, commissioner this morning. and is now living at Phillips, Wis., with her The deposits. to the last Since her departure, Richards has report were $469,349.98. The capital stock of the bank was $50,000 and in had to undertake the partial care his four children, William, John, its last statement to the banking dePaul and Mary, in addition to his partment the surplus was given as other strenuous work, and this has Frozen assets were the basic cause upset him, was pointed out. The professor worked in his ofof the suspension, but the closing of the bank was hastened by the with- fice until 11 o'clock Thursday night drawal of deposits including public with some of his students. and probfunds. ably never left the building, since Officers of the bank are: president he had been dead several hours W. Groves. vice president, D. D. when the body was found. MacMillan: cashier, W. A. Caldow; Was County Agent assistant cashier. Collins. Professor Richards the son of Mrs. Laura A. Richards, Madison, and brother of Miss Laura RichMilwaukeean May ist in work with phosphate of lime He was born Feb. 9. 1889, was Job graduated from the university in 1911, county agent of Price county from 1913 to 1917, and of Kenosha county from 1917 to 1919. Kohler to Make Appoint- He has been with the soils department, branch of the college of ment Next Wech, Belief; agriculture, since 1919 Hardgrove Considered Professor Richards was specialist in work with phosphat of lime Governor Kohler. who returned to and was widely known throughout his desk this morning. will probably the state.