Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-29
TOOK HIS LIFE.
A DEPLORABLE AFFAIR IN THE SUICIDE OF
HOWARD 7. CAROTHERS
Shoots Himself in the Head and Dies Instantly.
Circumstances Of the Afair-ThOught TO Have
Been Committed in Moment Of
Mental Derangement

The light of another young life went
out Yesterday, and in this case of a
young man particularly we'll known
about town. The deplorable affair CEN
tres in the awful deed Of Howard I.
Carothers, who placed revolver to his
head yesterday morning, and sent the
leaden missile on its awful mission. 1t
was clear case of suicide, and the
news of the tragic affair quickly spread
about the cityi and in a short time
quite a crowd of people gathered in
front OF L. S. Delaplain s. Co.'s dry
goods store on Main street where the
deed was accomplished.
Young Carothers was employed at the
dry goods house OF L. S. Delaplain II
Co. as one Of the assistant book-keepers,
and usually arrived at the store about
half-past seven o'clock. On Wednes-
day morning he arrived at the store at
the usual hour, and proceeded to his du-
ties. 1t was noticed, however, when he
entered the store that he was not in his
usual good health, and shortly after he
had gone to work on the books, he made
several mistakes, which was very I'M
usual for him, as he was ordinarily very
competent and accurate in his accounts.
Mr.. c. II. Watkins, seeing the diff
culties under which he was la
boring, suggested that if he was
feeling unwell, il would be
better for him to go home and rest until
he fully regained his strength. Young
Carothers concluded to abide by the
suggestion and soon after left the store,
ostensibly for his home on Fourteenth
street, next to the Fort Henry Club
House.
hr. Henry Sturgeon, one Of the sales
men at the store, who had cherished a
warm regard for the young man ever
since his connection with the store,
while out walking about nOOn-time on
Wednesday discovered that he had been
about town all the forenoon. Knowing
then that he had not been home, Mr..
Sturgeon felt a little anxious about him,
fearing that his sickness might be aggra-
waited by such fragrant neglect. Mr..
Sturgeon went back TO the store during
the afternoon, thinking perhaps, he
might show up before supper. But
hearing nothing from him, he locked up
the store about eight o'clock and started
out in pursuit of him.
After going the rounds Of his favorite
haunts Mr.. Sturgeon finally found
young CarotherS, about ten o'clock, talk
ing with someone on South Main street.
He succeeded in getting him TO accom-
pany him back to the store, where the
two sat about the fire for some time
chatting, when Mr.. Sturgeon suggested
-. that, as he was feeling so unwell, he
had better go up to the house and go to
bed. But he did not desire to 90 home,
and expressed desire to sleep in the
store all night with Mr.. Sturgeon. See
ing that his efforts were unayailing in
getting him to go home, Mr.. Sturgeon
consented. They removed their coats
and hats down stairs on the first floor,
and then went to the third floor Of the
store where were two beds, one Of
which was occupied by Mr.. Carothers
and the other by Mr.. Sturgeon. The
sleeping room is in the Northeast cor
ner of the floor. There was nothing
in the remarks or actions Of Mr.. Caroth-
ers at any time during the evening or
night that led Mr.. Sturgeon to suspect
the contemplation Of the awful deed.
About half-past six o'clock, after a
night of uninterrupted slumber, Mr..
Sturgeon arose, dressed himself, and
looking over upon the other bed he saw
Carothers sleeping soundly. Thinking
it would be best to arouse him, and have
him washed and dressed before the en-
ployeS Of the store arrived, he called TO
him to get up. But there was no verbal
response. Carothers lazily turned over
10 the bed, and was again sound asleep.
After Sturgeon had completed his toilet
he went down on the first floor to look
after his duties. Before he had been
down there long, however, he concluded
he would try another method Of awaken
ing, and he touched the electric button
which sounded the alarm used to signal
the clerks during the business. 1t made
quite a loud noise. He touched it three
times, but before the sounds Of the last
ring had died away, he heard the report
of revolver on the top floor, and the
heavy fall of body.
He Immediately jumped on the eleva-
tor and went to the scene OF the disturb
ance, where to his horror and amaze
ment he discovered the lifeleSs remains
OF young Carothers lying PROSTATE on
the floor, smoke still issuing from the
weapon Of death he held with that
deatb-like grip in his right hand. His
face was turned toward the floor, and
blood was flowing from savage wound
In the right temple. The hand which
held the revolver was turned under him.
For awhile Sturgeon was almost fixed
with fright. but soon recovered sutti-
GENTLY to go down stairs and hasten for
physician. He first fastened up to the
home of young Carothers and informed
his mother, Mrs. Catherine Carothers,
that her son had shot himself, and
that he did not know how seri-
Gus it would turn out The
news was a terrible shock to the mother,
who bore up under it as best she could
until she knew the worst, when the
strain became almost unbearable. In
mediately after leaving the house Stur-
geon fastened and informed DR.. Reed
Baird, who was soon at the store, &C
companied by DR.. Eugene Hildreth.
An examination of the body showed that
life had long since been extinct, death
probably having resulted almost in
Stantly. The bullet entered just above
the temple on the right side and came
out on the left side at point just lit
tie higher up. The weapon with which
Carothers did the deed belonged to the
store and is Smith IL Wesson, 80 cali
bre, self-acting, 5-shot revolver. 1t was
in its usual place under the foot Of one
of the beds, where it could be easily
reached, and the young man evidently
knew of its location.
MI hr,llnA -.nnan c-nh q hnln 49,