The morning call., 1893-04-29
1T WAS SUICIDE.
Laudanum Caused Spen-
GERS Death.
Revealed and All Valuables
Are Missing.

The mystery surrounding J. B. Spencer's
death was solved late last night. 1t was a
case of suicide, but the motive for IL re-
mains a mystery.
An analysis Of the stomach was made and
in 1t an ounce of laudanum was found.
In the Coroner's Office little credence is
given 10 the theft of the dead mans watch
and jewelry. From the beginning Deputy
Coroner Jones expressed the belief that
Spencer had taken his own life He argued
that there was nothing of value in the dead
mans effects. None of his papers could be
found. Even the letters from his tiancee
were missing. He had almost no money in
the bank and was posing as a wealthy man.
Everything tended to show that he had de-
strOyed all evidence that would point at
cause for suicide, and this made the deputy
suspicious.
MIR. SpenceI's friends are at a loss to under
stand why he should have made away with
himself and have to the last derided the
idea that he would ever think of taking his
life.
He had every reason to want to live"
said j. NJ. Gamble, his business manager.
lie had the management on the Pacific
Slope of the largest tobacco firm in the
United States. His salary was large aud he
was engaged TO a beautiful young woman
with whom he was much in love.
L uESudH night i WAS Win MIN Gntll IL
O'Clock at Miss Ewing's residence at 2221
Scott street. Five minutes after l left he
babe his betrothed goodnight for the last
Time. he must have gone directly 10 the
hotel, for he was talking with the night
clerk there shortly after II 80 o'clock"
Among the effects OF the deceased was
receipt for box in the Safe Deposit
vaults. This was empty. At the Pacif:
Bank there was but SCI 40 on deposit, while
in the clothes OF the deceased was found
only 60 cents.
The whereabouts of his valuabes Mr..
Gamble could explain only on the theory
that lie had drawn the money from the
bank, and that this money, together with
all his yaluables, had been stolen after
Spencer died. The deceased had shown
friends passes lie Lad obtained for his wife
from Denver 10 Kansas City and from
Kansas City TO Chicago aud return. These,
with his mileage tickets, watch, diamonds
and letters were missing.
One of the odd things WAS that all the
letters from the firm for week back were
gone TOO. Spencer's accounts with the
company seemed all right. He was not
man about town. His evenings were spent
with his betrothed. No one knew of his
spending money foolishly. To his friends
therefore, there seemed to be but one
explanation of the loss of his effects, not
that lie had sold or destroyed them, but that
they had been stolen.
Business men WHO had come In contact
WIN nun SpOhe VI spencer as SNTeWu,
energetic business man. II is not known
that he had any familiar friends. He had
the reputation OF being conservative and
uncommunlcatiye,
Though no one knew for certainty that
he had his watch with him Tuesday night
several have spoken of noticing his dia-
mond studs and solitaire diamond ring
Others say that he had mOney-sOme gold
and some sllyer-on Tuesday afternoon.
Where 1t has gone TO is another mystery
IN gtF ~ ra.N
Grand Hotel, says thatlhe locked the door
OF the room in which the dead man lay and
with his assistant came downstairs TO tele-
phone for the Coroner and DR.. Nathan
Rogers. Only one other person in the house
knew of the fact OF Speneer's DEATH That
was the night porter, who has been with the
house fifteen years and is perfectly trust
worthy. Upon the arrival of the Deputy
Coroner, the clerk says lie escorted that
gentleman upstairs and unlocked the door.
This, he says, took some time as he did not
find the lock at once.
Deputy Coroner Jones says that when he
and his assistants were shown to the room
where the body lay The door was pushed
open by MIR. Rich. Not only was it not
locked, but it must have been ajar.
Mrs. Ewing. the mother Of the young
lady to whom Spencer was to be married
Thursday, said The idea Of suicide was ridi-
culous.
Why" she said. Il never saw one who
seemed so supremacy content with life.
Tuesday night he seemed fairly bubblinC
over with joy at The thought OF the frution
Of his dearest plans. There were severel
friends with US and lie told of how the
bridal trip was to be made and what he in
tended doing on it,"
Mrs. Raymour of 1924 Powell street has
been subpenaed by the Coroner to appear at
the inquest today. When seen she said:
l met Mr.. Spencer first six or seven
wears ago. was waitress in a hotel. He
was travelling man and | saw him quite
frequently, as l moved from place to place,
and lie would sometimes stop at places
where | was working. / only knew him
casually. The last time | saw him was
about ten days ago on Front street. When
he passed his office he left me and went up
stairs, and | went home. lie never came
TO see me here.
When | read in the paper Of his dea tn
was awfu!ly shocked, and | went down to
the Cor0nef's to see il it were really he, and
when l learned it was | wanted to see him.
They said TO come later and did. Then
they made great sensation about it.
mo, know nothing OF his private life"
Spencer has a brother who was In Los
Angeles and sister now in Chicago Ills
only other known relative is a half brother.
His brother has been telegraphed for and
will arrive to-day.
The funeral will take place on Sunday
afternoon from the residence of Miss Ewing.