Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-13
ROUGH ON RATS.
How Michael ]. Dougherty Ended His
Life This Morning.
THE &C? EVIDENTLY PREMEDIHATED.
His DeIiberation in Taking the
Fatal Dose of Poison.
HIS WIDOW AND CHILDREN.

Michael J. Dougherty, one Of the numerous
saloon keepers on 9th street southeast, in the
vicinity Of the navy yard and marine barracks,
committed suicide by taking the popular sui
cidal mixture, "Rough Oh Rats" and his wife
and relatives declare that they know not the
reason for his rash act. But Michael had
reason, nevertheless, and that reason will 60
with him to the grave. Neighbors and gossips
who live in the vicinity of the Dougherty res
idence assign two causes, but it is not certain
which was the real cause Dougherty was
about fifty years old, was married and had four
children.
THE AFFAIR KEPT QUIET.
The affair was kept very quiet during the
earlier hours Of the morning, but when one Of
the old residents was told that ''Dougherty had
been making fool of himself" there was no
more keeping 1t quiet
How is that2" asked the old citizen Of his
informant.
"Why, he took some Rough on Rats" was
the reply.
Dougherty had been taken home then and .
crowd Of curious persons soon gathered about
the entrance to his liquor saloon and private
residence, which 10 situated on the southwest
corner OF Virginia avenue and 9Th street.
Early in the morning Dougherty was his own
customer He left home not later than $50
o. clock in good health and apparently in good
spirits. The act he had determined upon be-
fore leaving, and he really appeared happy
in anticipation Of bright future in
of this worlds goods than the average citizen,
but even this did not have the effect Of causing
him to change his mind. From his house he
walked up 9Th street a. far as DR.. F. p. wsller's
drug store and entering he said to the clerk; ~
want ten cents worth Of Rough on Rata
THE CAUSE OF DEATH.
ave don't sell less than box Of that prspa-
ration" said the clerk.
"And how much il it box2" he asked.
Fifteen cents.''
"Then give me Q whole box"
on he went down the street, speaking to per-
sons as he passed along. :.
'It's . warm morning." he said to one Of his
friends, and then he went to some new build
ings which he was having erected at Virginia
avenue and G. street. There he mixed the
deadly poison in q small tin bucket and took
the fatal dose. One Of the workmen saw him
throw away the box and then he saw portions
Of the poison sticking to the tin bucket.
Dougherty soon became sick and was taken
home. It WAS fully an hour after he had taken
the poison when DR.. Carraher was called in to see
him. He refused to take an emetic, and 80 the
doctor gave him an injection OF a drug, pre-
sumably to relieve pain, but which was really
an emetic. and the mans stomach was soon re-
leved Of some Of the poison.
Although confident the case was hopeless,
the doctor had the patient taken OF to the hos
pital after he had given him good doses Of
medicine. He had told the doctor that he took
the poison, but would not tell his reasons for 50
doing.
A CORPSE IN TWO HOURS.
Two hours later Undertaken Nalley's black
wagon drove up in front Of the Dougherty resi-
deuce and the earthly remains Of the man who
was well and hearty three hours before were
carried into the house and long black streamer
was attached to the front door to indicate the
presence Of the corpse.
A STAR reporter called at the house and saw
the woman who was . widow Of only two hours,
but she had nothing to say, and informed him
that she knew nothing about her husband or
what he had done.
An inquest will be deemed unnecessary, and
after Coroner Patterson gives a certificate Of
death arrangements will be made for the
funeral.
The deceased had lived in this city . number
OF years. He owned large amount Of real es-
tate in East Washington and Il said to have
been worth at least $50 900,