The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-03
DEATH OF z. E. REESE.
Tragic End Of a WeIl-Known
Mining Operator.
THROAT CUT IN A DELIRIuM.
He Had Been . State Senator I'm Ohio
and . Candidate for
Congress.

Robert T. Reese, one Of the best known min
ing operators in the Northwest, died n the
provsdeBce hospital late Wednesday night from
loss OF blood from wound by his OWE hand
lie was born IN Ohio some forty years
ego and wes member of one OF the leading
families of Fairfield county. Admitted to the
bar At an early age, be soon built up success
fuI law practice. In politics he was equally
successful, and was twice elected o member OF
the Ohio Senate. He was candidate for judge,
but was defeated by only two votes. Later he
was defeated Tor congress.
In 1886 he came 20 the Northwest, and though
be has gone back and forth TO and from Ohio q
number of timex. his headquarters have gcner-
ally been es Portland. During earlier years be
stared at the Gilman house, but after the CON-
pletfon OF the new Portland hotel he lived there
Ever since coming 10 Oregon be has been inter
ested in the gold quartz mines of that state. and
be Is said 70 have made much money from
them. The EIkh0rn was one OF his properties,
and be owned stamp mills elsewhere.
He had visited Seattle number of times dur
ing recent years. bat since last February he has
virtually lived In the city. AZ FIRST be was az
the Arlington. but during ak weeks or more he
has been at the Rainier hotel since coming to
fhis city he has invested quite largely in real
estate, having bought smong other properties
big tract over at Port Orchard. He has also
been purchasing mining claims In the Cascades
and elsewhere.
Though remarkably shrewd and aggressive
business man, he has had one failing in the
form Of weaknoss for drink. 1t was no. bis
habit TO Indulge in liquor steadily, but every
now and then be would go of or a spree, and
there was no checking him Until the Ct had
worn Of During his residence in Seattle he
has had one or two saeh sprees, and he has also
suffered from q very serious turn OF Illness re-
ssslslng from fatty degeneration of the heart.
His death was really caused by one OF those
Sta oil irtoxicafion. For two weeks past he has
been drinking heavily, and while he has never
had the deiirium treEens, be has nevertheless
been ycry shaky for several days On Tuesday
be was PIT under lie care of ephysieisn, who
confined him TO his room q; tho Rainier. and
had IaAn 70 watch him.
Earsy OF "Wednesday afternoon the nurse went
mp to the room and found Mr.. Reese shaving.
The man gayc a warning, saying that as Senator
Keeses hand was pretty sheky he might nick
his fare; but Mr. Reese answered that he would
get alorg all right. When the shaving was I'm
ished, Mr. Reese lar down again, and the man
went out Toward 3o'esock the bell from the
room Ees rung and enc OF the call boys went MP
70 answer II. BIZ. could rot get in. The clerk OF
the hosei knew Mr. Reese was under the care OF
n pbygcsan. and gave orders % have ladder
put up 10 the tr4usoIn. 30 that we're Il found
necessary. an entrance 20 The rooIa could be
made IN that way. Bnt when the boy went up
the second tine be found that the door had been
unlocked. Mr. Reese was lying in O seEni con
scions state on the BED. which was soaked with
blood. and the carpet as well wss saturated
DR. George SewIands and Dr. Rufus E. Smith
were at once summoned, and found upon exam
inasion that The throat wss siashed from the left
side near the angie o. ths Jaw down around
Under the chin. The main arteries had not
been cut, but the facial artery hsd been severed.
The Tow from IL. however, had nearly stopped.
The manner Of the cutting vas evident from
the appearance Of the room. M Reese had
stood before the mirror and holding the razor
in bis right hand had slaslsed himself twice AZ
described The blood iron the artery had
spuried ous. staining the mirror
The doctors sewed up the wound, which was
not considered fatal. in kpite of the loss of
blood, and the unfortunate man was taken over
20 the Providence hospital on a stretcher
Though be rallied somewhat. he never rezained
full consciousness Ia answer % questions as
70 the cause Of tbs rash deed. he replied that he
did rot know why he had done IT, AtII o'clock
IL. the night be died, and yesterday morning
the bod< was taken 70 Bonney Stewards
III. Sswisncs and d.. smith both declared
that the cr.s were not sufficient 20 have caused
death. but the degeneration al the heart from
which Mr.. Reese was suffering. made il ina
possible for hirn 20 rally. There Is no cues
fion. added DR.. Newlandx, who had treated
him previously, s.that be was out OF his
right mind He was on the edge of
delsrium. and though not rxving was fIghty
aud had had several hailucinafions
Mr. Reese was familiar figure on the streets
and about the hotels OF the city. He was tall
aud Of fall hsfsf. and always dressed with
scrupnlous care His large face, always smooth
shayen. vas keen. yet kindly. snd indicated the
fcsEAi nature of the man. Whoever knew him
was friend, for he was generous and true,
strong in his friendships and always ready TO
help.
His vile died several years ago, but he leaves
four young children. two boys and two girls,
who are 3; school in Columbus. o. The friends
have been notifies and viii make arrangements
for the funeral.