Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-28
A TRIO OF SUICIDES,
But One of Them Was Too Faint
Hearted to Open Deaths Door.
PETER ANDERSON'S TRAGIC DEATH.
He Succeeds in Stransling Himself With a
Window Cord in Fed.
MISS DUGAN ATE POISON WITH A SPOON

Peter Anderson, aged "a years. was found
dead in little iron bed in dingy little
room at No. 26S Second avenue, shortly
after noon yesterday The old man had
hanged himself in most peculiar way. He
was found by his son, James Anderson, of
Allegheny. He had suspended rope be-
tween the little iron posts at the head Of his
bed. Midway between the two iron posts
he fastened one end of q thin, green cord.
He then fastened the cord about his neck
and by pulling the other end of the cord he
succeeded in strangling himself When
found he still held in one of his lifeless
hands the destructive cord which was
stretched as stiff as iron. With his other
hand he had clutched his long, gray beard,
much of which he had pulled out in the
agonies of death.
The story of Peter Anderson's life reads
like romance. He was Scotchman, was
of good family and in early life was fairly
we'll to do. He was married and had two
sons. When but young man his wife died
and he then became restless and unsettled.
Anderson Becomes q wanderer.
He travelled aimlessly through Europe.
When he returned to his former home in
Scotland he tound that his two sons had
come to America. A year later he followed
them and he went to live with his son
James on Sturgeon street, Allegheny. His
other son, William, the younger of the
two, was employed in a mill at Woods Run.
He boarded near where he worked. About
year ago William lost his situation and
Joined his father at the home of his brother
James.
The father was greatly discouraged by
himself and his son living upon his other
son. James, however, endeavored to re-
1ieve his fathers distress by assuring him
that the two were not burden. The father
was not content, however, and one morning
about eight months ago he disappeared
Every effort to find him proved fruitless.
The police of Allegheny and Pittsburg were
notified of the mysterious disappearance.
They were supplied with description of
the missing man, but no trace Of him could
be found.
Left Hons to Become Q Peddler.
About month ago Detective McTighe,
who had been detailed on the case, discov-
cred the old man out near Glenwood. He
had with him box Of cheap jewelry, a
bundle of suspenders and a variety of
other small articles. The old man was
not arrested. He was traced to his
room on Second avenue, and his son
James was notified. He called at the room
early one morning and found his father just
leaving his place. The old man had not yet
had his breakfast. principally because he
did not have the money to pay tor it. The
son induced him to eat breakfast and gave
him some money. He also pleaded with
the old man to 90 with him home, where
he explained he could rest and
have everything he desired. The
father refused to listen, however, and he
continued through the streets as a vender of
jewelry. His son called upon him fire.
quently, but the father persistently refused
to receive aid from him.
Yesterday morning the father wrote James
Anderson a short letter in which he said he
was sick and was afraid he was going to die.
He asked that his. son come to see him at
once. The letter was received by the son
at noon yesterday. He at once hurried to
his father.
The Suic,ds Discovered by His Son.
When he arrived at the house he found
the old mans room door locked. At first
he thought his father was out, but he finally
concluded to force the door, and when he
did so he discovered the dead body with the
face turned directly toward him.
An alarm was promptly sounded and the
Coroner and police were notified. An in
vestigation developed the fact that the old
man had been dead several hours. 1t is
probable that he took his life during the
an iron candlestick. The candle had burned
to the socket. Two pennies were found in
his pocketbook, supposed to have been all the
money he possessed His body was taken
to the morgue, where an inquest was held.
The remains will be buried to-day.