The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-13
MR.. POPE n. CROUCH SUICIDES.
He Could Not Face the Disgrace and the
Troubles Which Surrounded Him, So
Ee Took Refuge in Death--Au;Iusta's
Gambling Hells Got His Money.
TAugusta Chronicle 4th.1

BE Took Refuge in Death--Au;susta'S
Gambling bells Got His Money.
Augusta Chronicle 4th.
MI. Pope n. Crouch, Of Johnston, s.
c., drummer for J. L. Friedman &
Co., vinegar dealers in Paducah, KY,
committed suicide at the Planters
Botel Tuesday night some time after
1 o'clock.
The dead man was not discovered
until $50 o'clock yesterday, when the
startling discovery was made by the
bell boy, John Jones, who went with
the chamhermaid to the room to clean
it up.
Jones saw Mr.. Crouch lying in bed
with his right arm under his head. and
the sheets covering him to his waist.
He touched Mr.. Crouch, and finding
that the man was cold and stiff, be
hastily informed the clerk, MI. Lyeth,
and be, with Mr.. George Green, went
up to the loom. They turned Mr..
Crouch over on his back. His limbs
were rigid, and be had probably been
dead at least six hours.
In the bureau they found an empty
bottle of morphine, and two letters
sticking on the side of the glass. The
empty bottle of morphine revealed the
method of his death. There was label
on it, but there was no name to give
clue as to whom the bottle was pur-
chased from.
LETTER TO THE DRUMAiERS.
One of the two letters was addressed
''To My Dear Drummer Friends" and
the other to his wife, Mrs. P. n.
Crouch.
The letter to the drummers was
opened and read. 1t was an appeal to
them to look after his wife and baby,
and closed by saying that troubles that
he was unable to bear was the cause Of
his rash act. This letter showed that
the case was one Of suicide, which up
to that time the gentlemen were not
certain about, as Mr.. Crouch was
known to be afflicted with heart trouble,
he having had a severe attack at the
Arlington hotel during the Drummers'
convention, mention Of which was
made il Tee Chronicle at the time.
The letter to his wife, which evident
ly gave the cause of his rash act, was
not then opened.
Mr.. C. II. Norman, Of this city, a
brother-in-law of Mr.. Crouch was sent
for, and Coroner Clarke was notified.
Mr.. Norman also sent for Mr.. S. I.
Crouch, a brother Of the dead man,
who lives in Harrisburg.
Neither Mr. Moorman nor Mr..
Crouch could throw any light on the
cause which led to the suicide. Mr..
Norman thought that Mr.. Crouch had
leftIthe city Saturday, as he (Mr Crouch)
had told Mr.. Norman he intended to
| do so.
THE CoRoNER'S INQUEST.
At 5 O'Clock Coroner Clarke held an
inquest, the only witnesses being Mr..
Lyeth, day clerk Of the hotel, Mr.. King
night clerk and the bellboy, Jones.
Mr.. Lyeth said he had not seen Mr..
Crouch since Sunday, at which time he
had registered at the hotel. The de-
ceased did not seem to be il the best OF
spirits. He then told of the finding the
hody and the letters.
Mr.. King stated that when he went
on duty Sunday night he saw that Mr..
Crouch was registered. About 12 o'clock
that night Mr.. Crouch came with a
show are you," and asked what rooms
he was to go to. Mr.. King told him the
same one, room 81, ION the first floor.
Mr.. Crouch then told Mr.. King not to
put his room down on the register
opposite his name, as he did not wish
his brother-in-law, Mr.. Moorman, to
know he was still in the city, as he
| (Crouch) had told MI. Norman that
he was going out of the city Saturday.
Mr.. King consented to do this, and Mr..
Crouch, requesting to be called at 6
o'clock, went up to his room. He came
down at o'clock and went up the
street. Monday night he came in about
the same time, and after some eonver-
satior with Mr.. King he went up stairs
to bed, first, however, leaving call for
o'clock, as he said he wanted to get
off on the South Carolina train. Tues
day morning he came down as usual,
and again went up the street.
THIRD AND LAST TIME.
Nothing more was seen Of him by
Mr.. King, until Tuesday might, about
! o'clock. When he entered the hotel,
he said: CHOW are yor to night, Mr..
King"
IT am well; thanks. How are you?"
replied Mr.. King.
"I am feeling very WELL" said Mr..
Crouch. He then asked Mr.. King for
some writing-paper and ink, stating
that be had some letters to write before
going to bed. Ordering a pitcher OF ice
water, he went up stairs. When he
entered the room, he remarked to the
boy. "This room snrells mighty bad"
The boy said it was the new furniture.
Nj. Crouch then closed the door, with
out locking it. This was the LAST seen
of Mr.. Crouch alive. He failed to leave
an order fo.: his usual early call.