The sun., 1878-11-07
DRIVEN TO DEATH BIZ TEE DEFEAT
A Candidate for Tummany Patronage Hang
ing Himself Amer Hearing the Result.


Washington Thomas was one Of the old
inhabitants OF the Tenth Ward and deservedly
held in high esteem by his neiRhbors. For
twenty eight years he kept a shoe store at 434
Grand street. above which no lived with his
family. He was a Democrat, an adherent OF
Tammany Hall for more than quarter OF n
century at one time member OF the General
Committee Of that organization. and an ac-
quaintance OF all the magnates Of the Ring. But
he did not share In any of the Ring frauds. did
not use tho influence he possessed for political
advancement. refused nominations for Alder
manic honors when nomination meant election
In his district. and would accept Of no other po-
sition than School Trustee and Inspector.
where he deemed that he might bo OF service TO
the public good. For six or seven years. up to
Tuesday last he held the office OF School In
spoctor. with uniform credit. But as his years
advanced his fortunes waned. Trade deserted
his store. and several small commercial ven
lures in which he engaged proved disastrous.
He struggled hard with adversely. but at length.
some seven months ago. was forced into bank
ruptcy. BY stintinR his personal and family
for his store and paying over to his creditors
all he could raise. down to the very day Of the
final crash, he had so far reduced his liabilities
that his failure was for only about s6, 900. and
to meot that he turned over TO his creditors lit
orally all that he possessed. Sixty years old
utHRuTcu AlLoI " lOnR llIb OI nOuebt eNeTuOnt
hopeless OF the future he sank into n state OF
deep dependency. and frequently talked OF
ending his cares by suicide. Yet none OF his
family imagined that no would really do such
| deed
In his extremity some OF his old acquaint-
ances In Tammany Hail. knowing the personal
influence he still held In the Seventh. Tenth
Eleventh. Thirteenth. and Fourteenth Wards
were anxious to secure his aid In the desperate
strife Of Tuesday. He was promised In the
event Of Tammany. winning the day, position
| in Judge Campbells court. a humble place. but
one which would support him and his aged
WIFE on Tuesday evening he went from home
telling his wife that he was going out to learn
the result OF the election and that she must not
be uneasy about him II he was away much later
than usual. He went up TO Tammany Hall.
Then. in his despair. he straiRhtway returned
home and hanged himself. When his nephew
Frank Pine, went down to the back basement
at 6h O'Clock yesterday morning to light q fire
he found his unce's body swinging against
the door. dead and cold. The unhappy old
man had evidently stood upon small stove
placed a rope moose about his neck. cast tho
rope over tho top OF the door. which stood ajar
made II fast by tying II to n short. stout stick
that crossed the crack at the top Of the slightly
opened door. and these Preparations complete.
stepped from the stove. His feet were only hve
| or six inches from the floor.
Coroner EllinRer held an inquest over the
body and a verdict Of suicide was rendered.
Polar Star Lodge No. 245. +. and A. NJ. OF which
| he was q member, will conduct his funeral, and
| brethren OF Corinthian Chapter No. 159. to
which also he belonged will follow him to the
| grave In Woodawn Cemetery.