Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-05
WHY HE KILLED HIMSELF.
A COl0red Man Who Took a Fatal Dose
Of Poison to Keep Out Of Jail.

Coroner Patterson held an inquest this fore
noon at the fourth precinct station upon the
body of Clement West, the colored driver of a
Swiss laundry wagon, who died Tuesday morn
Ing from the effects of a dose of arsenic, Sup
posed to have been put in a glass of whisky
which he drank, as published in Wednesdays
STAR. The jury was composed of Frank Hos
mer, VIM. E. Bounds, VIM. F. Coggns, James
Acton, Eldridge Burns and William Matthews.
DR.. Hartgan testified the cause OF death to be
Inflammation of the stomach, the result clearly
OF irritant poisoning. probably arsenic The
chemical tests made by Prof De Smedt showed
the presence of arsenic.
Ira Godfrey, 1922 street. testified that the
deceased had been in his employ for about five
years; that he recently had made some collec-
this, but in consideration Of the fact that West
had been in his employ so long did not dis
charge him, but had warrant out for him. and
told him If he repeated the offense he would
have him punished. Anew days afterwards the
witness found that he had made about fifteen
or twenty more collections Witness again
warned him. The defendant again went to
work and seemed all right until last Monday
morning, when several customers came in and
said they had paid their bills. Another driver
told deceased what had been reported to wit
ness. Deceased brought in one load of clothing
Monday morning, and returned a second time
about half-past IL O'Clock, when he said he was
very sick; and went outside, where he vomited
twice. He then left the office and said he was
going home. Witness thought he must have
taken poison when he was out on his second
trip; that he had the poison with him, and in
tended taking 1t rather than 60 to jail. Wit
ness said West had taken about $50.
DIED WITHOUT TELLING THE NAME.
DIR. John r. Francis testified that he was
called in to see the deceased about 2 o'clock
Monday evening, and found him suffering with
symptoms of poisoning, and SO told the family
Witness questioned him to what he had
been eating and drinking during the day, and
he said he bad no knowledge of taking any,
thing in which he suspected poison had been
put in, unless it was glass OF WHISKY a gentle
man gave him where he collected some
clothing. He said he drank the whisky about
10 O'Clock, and was taken sick soon alter he left
the house. Witness endeavored to get the
name OF the person from him, but he refused to
tell, but said he would tell the name when he
felt better He died about o'clock the next
morning.
ceased told him that ne would tell where he
got his whisky after he got better.
her husband came by the house about half-past
10 O'Clock Monday morning and complained of
being sick at his stomach and vomiting He
left and returned about half-past II O'clock
when he told her that he had taken a drink
of whisky and would tell her where he got it
when he got better, but he never told her. Wit
ness said he never came home drunk, but did
take a drink once in q while.
Mrs. Rebecca Bowie, cOlOred, sister of de-
ceased as sworn to by previous witnesses.
THE VERDICT.
The jury returned verdict that the de-
ceased came to his death by arsenic supposed
to have been administered by himself"