The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-29
A Remarkable Case.

"A WoSA vi OWO uBO MI. OOWcua us
tinguished lawyer of Philadelphia, was
found dead in his room in Wormley's hotel.
Washington, d. c. He had been president
of the Reading railroad, and was warm
personal friend of the Postmaster General.
In the estimation of many of his admirers
he was in some respects the foremost citizen
of Philadelphia. All the facts relating to
the cause of his death justified
the conclusion that he committed sui
eide. 1t was shown that he had
never been In the habit of carrying pistol.
but that on the day preceding his death he
had purchased the pistol that was found
near his body. On the other hand, there
was no apparent reason why he should have
taken his life He was supposed to be rich.
was very happy in his domestic relations
aud was in receipt of very large income
from the practice of his profession. He
was in Washington to argue case before
the interstate commerce commission, and
only few hours before his death talked
with one of the interstate commerce COM
| missioners. At that time he appeared to
be perfectly rational, and in the BEST of
| spirits
| His family refused, and still refuse, to
| believe that he committed suicide They
| have theory that an agent of the famous
Molly Mcguire organization of the Penn
| sylvania coal regions secured access to his
rooms while he was absent, murdered him
on his return. and escaped through the win
dow, leaving no trace of his presence.
| When Mr.. Gowen was president of the
| Reading railroad, he had prolonged con
test with the Molly Maguirss, aud incurred
their enmity. In support of this Molly Ma
| guire theory a detective tells sensational
story. 1t is that an agent of the Molly
Maguires, who resembled Mr.. Gowen SO
closely that it was difficult to distinguish
one from the other, followed Mr..
Gowen for years for the purpose of killing
him. 1t was this agent who purchased the
pistol at the Washington hardware store,
and who was taken for Mr.. Gowen by the
salesman who sold the pistol Resembling
| so closely Mr.. Gowen, he had no difficulty
in gaining access to Mr.. Governs room in
his absence, nor in leaving the hotel after
he had committed the terrible deed This
story is so improbable that there cannot be
many who believe it.
Among other stories ahoat is one that Mr.
Gowen, few months before his death, Dor
rowed 100000 from Alfred Sully, who is
well known in connection with railroad
deals, and that no security was given for it.
Mr.. Sully met Mr. Gowen in Washington
and the debt being long over due pressed
the payment of it. Mr.. Gowen, not
being able to settle it, asked
for a few days more time. His
request was granted, but with the
understanding that the debt would be paid
promptly on the date agreed upon. Mr.
Gowen, seeing no way out of his financial
difficulty, was so worried that he committed
suicide. This story also needs confirma
tion.
There is not much reason to doubt that
Mr.. Gowen committed suicide, but whether
he did or not will doubtless remain an UNI
settled question. If he did. tho reason fol-
his rash act is likely to remain a mystery
I
1t seems probable that the appointment
of a colored man as gauger under Revenue
Collector Cravens, of Indiana, will cause
some trouble in that state. Cravens didn't
want to appoint a colored man, but he was
given to understand that he must, for pol
icy's sake. He protested in vain. The poll
ticians said that the colored brother mus
have bone, to keep him quiet. After tht
appointment was made, the politicians dis
covered one reason why Cravens was S,
much opposed to making it. II was no
well received. White republicans became
very angry, and it is said that the colorec
} gauger will have hard time when he goes
) into the white-cap region. This, let it b,
remembered, is in the Presidents state