The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-08-22

About seven o'clock last Sunday evening Mr..
Charles Hane, cashier Of the Exchange Bank
said TO his wife, ~ guess will 20 down town
awhile of itself quite an unusual oireum'
stance, which, coupled with his nervous manner
during the day, his more than usually affection
ate leavestaklng and his remark that he didn't
know how soon he would return, made the poor
lady nervous after two or three hours had elapsed
and about hplfpast one she gave the alarm to the
police, suspeotlng herself that her husband had
been the victim Of foul play, The police OF course
suspected that another man had left for Canada,
and watched the three o'clock morning train
without success. Soon after daylight every thing
became excitement the streets were dotted with
little punches Of men discussing the matter.
About 9;16 while men were engaged In attempt
ing to open the safe 10 ascertain In what shape
his business had been left and everything on
the street was In state Of feverish excitement,
VIII Poyser, Charley Cook and John Shupe, were
standing In the hallway Of the Trump building,
the same building In which the bank is located,
converslng about the affair, shupe said, "Boys,
I've an impression that he is in the third story OF
this building. One Of them suggested a search,
and they assembled and tried the door which was
locked. The key hole was closed too and in the
excitement one Of them rushed down stairs and
procured key. The hall was deserted and
empty, and they started to descend, when Mr.
Poyser walked around to the little room, opening
from the southwest corner Of the hall and saw
Hane lying on the floor his eyes rolling and his
flesh quivering In the last agonies Of death by
poison. Under his head was an army blanket;
near him stood bucket, quart cup Of water, a
| lamp and tumbler, and his coat, hat and shoes
| were scattered about on the floor In his pocket
was little package, afterwards analyzed and
| found to be strychnine. Physicians were brought
with the greatest haste, The dying man was car
rled to the middle OF the room and the windows
raised, but all too late,-a few convulsive gasps
| at long intervals, and Charlie Hane was beyond
recall The crowd was momentarily increasing
and the excitement growing more intense. The
safe could not be opened, as only the deceased
knew the combination, and no reason whatever
could be given for the mans terrible action. But
| In all the excitement there was sorrow, Every
body was Charley Hane's friend. In all proba.
bility, his reasons II he had any, will be buried
with him and forever remain a secret. During
the afternoon post.mortem examination of the
body was held, and somewhat diseased condi-
ton of the brain found there being an abnormal
and firm adhesion of the dura mater the thin
hbrous covering of the brain to the brain along
the center An analysis of the contents Of the
stomach has not yet been concluded, but without
doubt 1t will show that the poison used was NOR
phine. The manner Of the death, the condition
Of the body after death. and the fact Of his hav-
ing used morphine frequently during the last six
weeks lead to that determination. For some time
he had been subject to terrible pain In his head
but would not leave his desk at the bank and pay
the attention to his health his physician urged
It is the belief of the physicians that the adhesion
OF the dura mater to the brain was the result OF
these headaches The thoroughly premedtated
manner ofthe suicide is one of the strange things
about It, Sunday morning the deceased exam
ined the Dispensatory in Davis fuckers drug
store, and there probably discovered how violent
and painful was death by strychnine, which &C.
counted for the unopened package, and the use
Of the anaesthetlc, morphine instead. About
o'clock In the evening he was seen with his quar-
cup of water going up the alley back Of the Bank
and when Mrs. Hane came down town at two
o'clock she saw light in the hall where the sui
eide was committed, but unfortunately paid 1t ne
attention, There are evidences Of his having
smoked two cigars after going to the room, ant
he probably attempted to calmly weigh ant
think 1t over before committing the horrible deed
The deceased was about thirty.one years Of age
He was born and raised in Canton and leaves
wife and three little girls, besides an unusually
large circle Of warm friends and admirers Il
mourn his sad and early death He was an earn
est christian and constant attendant of thu
Methodist church. Peace to his ashes.