The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-11-13
A SUICIDE.
THE DRIP ROUTE TRIED MOST Sue
CESSFULLY BY A SAN AN
TONIC MAN.
"A Big Spree Unsettles IL. NJ. Smith and
He Deliberately Shuffies on
This Mortal Coil.

Last Friday afternoon a gentle
man registered at the Driskill as II
NJ. Smith, San Antonio. He stated
he was unwell and desired to be shown
to room for which he paid in ad-
vance.
Saturday morning he was reported
to the clerk, Mr.. Ramassa, as being
quite ill and DR.. Lewright was sent
10 and prescribed for him.
All day he remained in his room,
frequently ordering whisky and brandy.
DR. Lewright reported to the clerk
that the man was suffering from ex-
cessive use of alcohol, and ii whisky
was not kept away from him the medi-
cine he was taking would do no good
and he would certainly have mania
potu.
Mr.. Ramassa at once gave instruc
ton that no more drinks be carried to
Mr.. Smith, and Sunday afternoon late
he came down stairs and settled his
bill and the bill of DR.. Lewright.
GOES TO THE AVENUE.
After paying his bill at the D~iskill
Mr.. Smith left and the next we hear
of him he is at the Avenue.
He called there between seven and
eight o'clock Sunday night and in
formed Mr.. George Smith that he de-
sired room. Mr.. Smith asked him
to register but he stated that he was
suffering with dengue and was so ner-
vious he could not write. Mr.. George
Smith then wrote his name on the
register, asked if he desired breakfast
He said mo" and paid for his room
and was Immediately shown to it, and
he was seen no more until yesterday
morning.
THE SUICIDE,
Yesterday morning Mr.. Tom Smith
had some men putting down carpet
in the hall on which the room occu-
pied by Mr.. Smith opened. He
noticed the room door partly opened
and seeing the room was in disorder
he went in and found that the bowl
and pitcher had been broken and
things generally in bad condition.
The guest seemed to be all right
and told Mr.. Smith that he had
broken the pitcher and bowl. but that
he would pay for them. Mr.. Smith
then left, but about IL o'clock con,
cluded he would visit his guest TO see
how he was getting along, as he COM
planned of being very ill the first visit.
On entering the room the
second time Mr.. Smith
found his guest lying on the bed as if
asleep, but noticing some blood on the
edge of the bed he approached nearer
and discovered that the man was Just
breathing his last.
DR.. Bennett was hurriedly called in
but when he arrived the man was
dead and H. M. Smith had crossed over
the river.
He had drawn the slop bucket close
up to the bed. He then arranged
himself on the bed and taking large
whive handle knife cut cash in bis
left wrist, severing the artery. From
indications he then composedly laid
b tck on his pillow, crossed his legs
and placed his right hand across
his chest, while the left hung
over the slop bowl which
caught the blood as it flowed from
the wound.
He must have died in about TWEEN.
ty minutes.
There was a cut over the left tenn.
pie, inflicted no doubt with the hope
that he would strike the artery. The
knife failed to reach it, however, and
then it was he cut the artery in his
arm.
THE INQUEST.
Justice Stuart was notified and
held an inquest, returning verdict
in acco' dance with the facts.
Some letters and papers we're found
in his pockets, two large knives and
ABOUT NZ IN money.
A telegram was found on Lis per-
son which read as follows:
EAST ORWELL, Ohio.
Maj Hora'io NJ. Smith, care Lockwood
bank, San Antonio.
Checked at Ashtabula II 80:
Have mailed money order for $25
dollars, care of Lockwood. Can't tel
egraph. w. o. SMITH.
He also had letter from Mr.. James
NewcomD, calling his attention to
some errors in his report as census
He had lot of cards
If Mr.. ]. Weinstein, a newsdealer OF |
San Antonio, and some other papers
Coroner Stuart notified Mr.. New
,omb at San Antonio, and Mr.. w. o.
Smith at Orwell, o.
II. N. Smith.