AMBASSADOR HOTEL JOMTIEN

Dr. A.H, Kunst, was apparently retired and living in this house in 1911:

The following was reported in The Gazette Times, July 16, 1911:

Dr. A.H. Kunst, was the former superintendent of the State Asylum for the Insane at Weston (as it was then known). Kunst’s mother was a sister of US Senator Johnson N. Camden of WV. His only sister, Mrs. William B. Craig, was wife of the noted congressman from Selma, Ala.
Kunst’s brother Carl killed himself in Weston, his mother dropped dead in this house. His son, Earl Kunst, authored two romantic novels, “Justine” and “The Tragedy of Fairfax”, but separated from his wife and while in the process of divorce, checked himself into the Continental Hotel in Washington DC and shot himself in the head. News reports said he left directions for a messenger boy to come to the room at 2:30am, and when Charles Langley, the telegraph messenger went to his room, he found Kunst dead. He left a letter contemplating suicide, and paid for his room with his last money, as only one cent and two car tickets were found in his pocket. He went to his room, placed his head between two pillows, no doubt to muffle the sound when he fired the shot. In an envelope on the dresser addressed “To the Public and My Father” in it was found a messages Kunst had written in Atlantic City on July 7, a week before his death. One of the Atlantic City letter said “Standing in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the veil of the incongruities of the mortal existence is lifted, and I understand—it was a vision clarified by suffering—that this special destiny was to be mine. I knew years ago. I have no regrets, for great is to be the compensation. I don’t know where I am going, but I am on my way. Good-bye.” In another message, written at the seashore, he told who he was and asked that his father be notified of his deed at his home, 1103 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, WV. He also wrote his father “Dear Papa—I have no remorse, for all is well. You could not have done otherwise. Good-bye for a little while.” His last message was to A.W. Chaffee, manager of the Continental Hotel: “Forgive me, please, if I have done you an injury. In taking my life, should I soil, deface, or destroy anything, inform my father, Dr. A.H. Kunst, 1103 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, WV, and he will make ample settlement.”

Nook for the bed (king, very comfortable) in the room at the Hotel Helix. Some people thought that there wasn't enough room to walk along the side of the bed if you had to get up at night. I personally liked the curtains that couldbe draw across the foot of the bed, creating a private, romantic alcove. Not that I needed a private, romantic alcove, but it is a nicethought...

ASTSWMO Long Term Stewardship Focus Group meeting - November 2008.

Washington DC