Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-17
WITH DEADLY DRUGS.
Thomas Irwin Merrick Takes His
Life in the Red Lion Hotel.
THE OLD MAN FOUND DEAD IN BED.
Mr.. Ramsey, His Former Employer, Gives
Something of His History.
ONCE A SHIP CAPTAIN AND AN OIL MAN


the chambermaids of the Red Lion Hotel
was making her usual rounds she found one
of the beds tenanted by corpse. Upon the
alarm being given the body was found to be
that OF a man who registered last Wednes-
day as ''T c. Merritt, Erie, Pa"
He was apparently about 65 years of age,
tall and we'll formed, with long gray beard.
Both hands clasped large handkerchief
over his mouth and nose and the odor OF ether
was quite strong in the room.
Upon q stand beside the bed were three bot
ties, one empty half-ounce, with laudanum
liable from Rankin's drug store, another simi-
lar one from Mckennans, IS Market and
two-ounce vial in which few drops Of ether
still remained from James Kerr, Jr.. 402
Smithtield street. These indications, pointing
to a clear case of suicide were the topic of
discussion in the hostelry all day. The clerk
rather incllnes to believe that the suicide was
unlntentional, as the deceased had but recent
ly recovered, he said, from severe attack OF
the grip, and he had probably taken an over
dose.
HE WASN'T soCIABLE.
The dining-room girls said he had once or
twice complained of not feeling well while
being waited upon. The other boarders at the
hotel say that he was not very sociable. and
appeared since his arrival to be rather detected,
trouble.
The remains and the effects of the deceased
were removed to the morgue. A good leather
valise contained several changes of undercloth-
ing, sample Case of crude and lubricating
oils, and book belonging to the Pittsburg
Library entitled "Chata and Chinita." A num-
ber of business cards of the oil firm of j. S.
Ramsey & Co., indicates that the deceased was
a drummer in their employ. A number Of
entries in an order book at various places
showed that he had been travelling considerably
lately, but not doing much business.
There were number of letters, both from
business acquaintances and ladies, the orthog-
raphy of the latter, as well as the style, being
highly original. One from Martha ]. Hooker
dated Poland, Mahoning county, O., gave
graphic description both of her regard for the
deceased, and how she mixed it with her
domestic duties. She alluded playfully to his
last visit to her, in which he passed on as her
uncle, and how she evaded the watchfulness of
the lady of the house by this ruse.
All the.letterslwere addressed to Thomas E.
Merrlck which is probably his right name. The
Coroner wired the Chief of Police of Erie for
information concerning the deceased, but the
reply was that he was not known by either the
police or citizens of Erie. Very close inquiries
have been made and without any result.
MR.. RAMSEY KNEW HIM.
Last evening DISPATCH reporter visited j.
s. Ramsey at his residence. on Arch street,
Allegheny. Mr.. Ramsey is member of the
firm whose business cards were found in Mer-
the latter was in their employ.
Mr.. Ramsey was very much surprised when
he was informed of his callers eTraDd. as that
was the first intimation he had of the suicide.
He said:
Il knew Merrick well. He was in our en-
ploy off and on since he camo here 10 months
ago. but has has not been with us for about six
weeks. We were compelled to dispense per-
manently with his services, much as we
regretted to do so, on account of the mans
age but he would not take care of himself. He
bad company. Women of bad character were
continually with him or seeking him. and on
several occasions have been compelled to
turn them out of our office.
THE woman Hooker, whom you refer to- re-
calls littlA circumstance with which we were
acquainted. Merrick asked me for $40 to make
business trip to Ohio gave him the money,
and he was away a week. 1t was some time
afterward before heard of his experience
while away. 1t seems that he went to the place
he intended and then turned back and went to
widow, understand. and he spent a week in
her company. Several letters came
from her afterward, and 1 learned
that they were to be married. but
ton conveyed her by her stepson, who lives in
this city somewhere. She was indignant and
wanted to shoot the old man, but he did not
seem to care. for he was like sailor. having
girl in every port and took such little 1ncon-
veniencies easily.
HAD QUITE A HISTORY.
From all accounts he had quite a history.
but as he was given to prevaricating, little
stock was taken in anything he said, but
some few facts are known. He was
about go years of age, and was born
and raised in Cleveland, where he !
learned the trade of ship chandler; in fact.
he seemed to have learned almost everything
connected with the oil business. He was after
ward engaged in oil refining near Pleasantville,
Venango county. this State, and was at one
time quite wealthy. In his varied experience
he has been from what We could learn. a cap-
tain on one of the lake boats for WHILE and
had been in Europe at one time. AS sales
man he was one of the best ever met, but
would never go back to anyone to whom he
had ever made a sale, for no reason that we
could ever learn.
.'He is said to have had a wife and three
children; the former. he told us. was dead, but
we have reasons to doubt it. One of his daugh-
tiers, he also informed me, was married to an
Episcopal clergyman named Burton. who has a
pastorate in Jay Cooks district, near Phila-
delphia-
"That is really all know of him. am very
sorry for the poor old man. but must say ex-
pected him to do something of the kind, for I
took poison from him once. 1t was kind that
is used in scenting oil. but was afraid to leave
it IN his possession, as his actions made me sus