The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-05-06
SUICIDE.
James S. Coulter Dies From an
Overdose of Lau6anUm.
Found Dead in his Room Early
Yesterday Morning.

Yesterday morning the news spread over
the whole city, and before noon it was well
known that Mr.. james S. Coulter, an old
and respected citizen OF Leavenworth had
committed suicide.
1t appears that a family BY the name OF
Mitchell had removed to San Francisco and
left their house and furniture, which was
in the same yard with Mr.. Coulter's, in
charge of his family. He had been in the
habit of sleeping in this house, and retired
as usual Sunday night Nothing unusual
was noticed by his family, as he seemed to
he in his usual spirits. Yesterday morning
he did not arise as early as usual, and his
son went to his room to see what was the
matter and found his father cold in death.
DIR. Carpenter was called in, but could not
restore life. A coroner's jury was sum-
moned, and the following evidence was
taken:
Mrs. Coulter, wife of the deceased, was
the first witness sworn. She said that Mr..
Coulter had not intimated to her that he
was in trouble, nor did he appear to be in
depressed spirits. She also stated that he
had no family trouble that would cause
him to take his lite.
John J. Coulter was the next witness
sworn, and testified in substance as the
above
DIR. Carpenter testified that he was called
as soon as the body had been discovered,
and found upon examination that life was
extinct. A galvanic battery was applied,
but without any effect. He also stated that
he learned from a clerk at Thompson's
drug store that Mr.. Coulter purchased
half ounce of laudanum Of him last even
ing about o'clock.
E. c. Davis, clerk in Humphreys drug
store, was the next witness, and said that he
did not know the deceased, but had seen
the body and recognized it as the person to
whom he had sold an ounce of laudanum
last evening.
Mr.. Downing was in the drug store
at the time, and conversed with Mr.. Coul-
ter, on different topics, and says that he no
ticed nothing unusual in his manner or
conversation.
1t also appeared that he purchased the
laudanum at two different stores, buying a
portion at Thompson's and some at Hum
phrey's. These were the most important
facts elected on the examination, and the
jury returned verdict-that the
deceased came 10 his death from an over
dose of laudanum administered by his own
hand.
Mr.. Coulter was member Of Metropoli-
tan Lodge No. q, l. o. o. F., and has held
the highest positions in the order. He was
also, at one time, member of the Typo
graphical Union Of this city, and filled the
most important offices in the Union, being
at one time delegate to the convention
which met in Canada. He was, until the
last week or so, the foreman of the Gunner
ciat composing room, and was generally re-
spected by the craft.
He leaves wife and two sons the eldest
being the city editor of The TINES, who
have the sympathy of the entire community
in this sad bereavement.
What could have induced man of his
good sense to commit such a rash act is not
known. He has been unfortunate in some
respects for some time, but did not appear
to be gloomy or depressed. He will be
buried with all the honors of Odd Fellow
shin.