Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-07

An old man named E. d. McPeek,
who kept fruit stand in this city sew
eral years ago, was found dead in his
room at the Natick house yesterday
morning under circumstances that
clearly indicate suicide. He was re-
moved to the morgue where an inquest
was held last evening. From all that
could be learned, the deceased was over
seventy years of age and has no rela-
tives here. He lived at 652 San Fer
nando street with Chas. E. McPeek,
whose name appears in the directory for
1880, but no trace of the nephew could
be found yesterday. The old man was
evidently almost penniless, and suicided
in fit of dependency.
A Jury was impaneled last night and
heard testimony from several witnesses.
G. d. Hartzell, porter at the Natick
house, testified that sMcPeek regis
tered at the hotel Thursday night from
Denver, Col. He appeared to be about
20 years of age. Haitzefl said he saw
him in the city about year and half
ago. One of the chambermaids called
the witness attention to the room oc-
cupied by the deceased, saying there
was strong smell of gas. He took a
ladder and looked over the transom and
afterwards opened the door and found
the old man dead. Witness said the
deceased appeared to be a nervous man.
His hand trembled considerably. The
gas was on full head when the body was
found. The transom was nearly closed,
and it was customary to keep the tran
som open. Witness said he thought
the old man lived in the house before.
George A. Hart, clerk of the house,
testified that he saw the deceased about
the hotel over a year ago. He came to
the house Thursday night and asked
the rates. He said he wanted a cheap
place, as he did not have much money.
He came back Friday night and slept
in the house. The deceased appeared
to be respondent.
Coroner Weldon stated that when he
was called to the hotel he found the
body lying on the bed, and made a
search of the old mans effects. One
letter was found in a pocketbook, ad-
dressed e. D. McPeek. The pocket
book also contained piece of paper on
which was written z. w. Anderson d
Co., 700 Seventh street, Washington,
d. O. A bank book was also found
showing the deceased formerly had an
account with the Los Angeles National
bank, which was balanced October 2,
1889. His trunk contained few we'll
worn clothes. The only money found
was 81 .66.
Fred w. Bishop, who keeps the cigar
stand at the Natick house, testified that
the deceased kept a fruit stand in the
city several years ago on Main street,
opposite the cathedral, and also on San
Fernando street. He went east a year
and q half ago, to look after the sale of
some property. When he came back he
said something about having been
cheated out of everything. On Friday
he asked witness where he could get
cheap room, saying he could not afford
to remain at the Natick; that he didn't
have much money, but wouldn't need
much. He appeared very respondent,
and was so feeble that person who did
not know him would think him drunk.
The deceased had nephew here, and
witness asked him where his relative
was, and the old man said he had got
away with considerable money. He
formerly lived with the nephew at 652
San Fernando street. They were in
partnership. Witness said he thought
McPeek was familiar with the use of
gas.
The jury found a verdict of suicide.
THE WARREN CASE.
The coroner was also called upon to
investigate the death of James G. War
rem, whose body was found in his room
at the New England house, near the
1e I'D Co DID ~ 70
shortly before noon yesterday. Warren
evidently came to his death from
natural causes. A number OF letters
and papers found among his effects
show that he was from England or Ire
land. A draft for G40, accompanied by
letter from firm Of London solicitors,
in which they render an account, show
that he had en- income from an estate
LETT him. The letter was addressed to
postoffice box at Fresno. The evidence
given at the inquest was as follows:
w. g. Waterhouse, proprietor OF the
New England lodging house where War
ren's body was found, testified that the
deceased secured a room last Sunday and
paid for week in advance. He did not
appear to be we'll and kept to his
room. Several times he told witness he
was nOt Weiii anu OH luulpudy eaiu II Q
spit blood. He complained OF pains in
the back. On Saturday he appeared
very white, and witness saw him in the
evening and suggested he should go to
the hospital. He finally said he would
go to the hospital. and witness went to
see the health officer but found him out
and left a note about the man. He went
out and got his supper and witness did
not see him again until shortly before
12 O'Clock yesterday, when he found him
dead in his room. The deceased ap-
peared to be about 48 or 30 years old.
Richard Liethgow, night clerk at the
lodging house, testified that the de-
ceased came down to the office and
coughed great deal. He said he wished
he was back in Tulare, but it would
take $40 to get there. He said he had
been working at Tulare for fourteen
months. The witness did MOI see him
after the conversation.
A verdict OF death from natural causes
was rendered.
Coroner Weldon cabled last night to
the firm in London from which the let
ter appeared to have been sent.
Health is wealth. Take Simmons Liver Reg
ulator for all sickness caused By diseased liver
Examine Mullen, Bluett & Co. IS evercoats at