Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-19
"A DIVE OFF A ROOF
Sad Suicioe Of B. Z. Plain While Labor
ing Under Hallucination.
Evidently Supposed He Was Going Into the
Water-His Family Frustrated With
Grief-Regret in Business Circles.

The death Of Mr.. B. K. Plain, which occurred
at an early hour this morning under peculiarly
sad circumstances, caused general sorrow in
the wide circle Of acquaintances Of the de-
ceased. He was 80 generally liked and admired
for his many good qualities Of head and heart
that his loss will be severely felt To those
within the circle Of his intimate acquaintance
the news Of and the manner Of his death came
with the shock Of great surprise.
For the past six months the eye Of affection
as well as Of friendship has noticed a change in
the disposition Of a man who was always the
genial happy companion. II was noticed that
he had periods Of depression, which within the
past few weeks have come with greater fire.
quency and remained for longer time. For
six months he has been q sufferer from
q species Of nervous prostration, and
in the weakened condition which
results from the attacks Of this insidious dis
ease he began to worry about the financial sit
uation and finally worked himself into the be-
lief that he and his family were destined for the
poor house. The fact that there was nothing
In his financial affairs to warrant such q conclu-
sion had no influence with Mr.. Plain. and II il
said that his estate is today worth at least
e2OO, 900 and he leaves his wife and children
well provided for.
n r0tol Leap
Az has been stated, Mr.. Plain has been grow
ing worse during the past few weeks. and for
some time he has been kept under constant
surveillance. There was no apprehension on
the part Of his family and friends that he would
commit suicide, but they realized that q. times
he was not responsible for what he said
and did, and therefore he ought to be
looked after closely. The plan had been
considered Of sending him out Of the city with
trained nurse. Before this plan, or In fact
any plan. could be carried out he solved the
problem. Last night about 1:S0 o'clock Mr..
Plain went into the bath room Of his resi-
dence, 907 Massachusetts avenue Those who
were with him in the house had no suspicion OF
any danger or that he contemplated any rash act.
He had not been in the bath room long enough to
excite suspicion before the watchers were
startled by hearing the fall Of heavy body at
the rear Of the house. They realized at once
what had happened, and rushing out found Mr..
Plain lying unconscious on the asphalt pave
ment in the yard He was at once removed to
the bed room and medical aid summoned,
but in ten minutes he ceased to
breathe. From an examination Of the body and
the locality the conclusion has been reached
that Mr.. Plain, completely OF his mental bal
ance, climbed out Of the bath room window on
the roof Of the back building and rushed to the
rear end, and with hands placed together as
swimmers do who are about to dive. he dove Of.
o1iAlHB tho hbTu 18puAlb Oh tuo tOp VI ulb
head, fracturing the skull completely across.
The place where he struck was at least twenty
feet from the building. showing that he had
taken what is known as a running jump.
His Family Prostrated.
It IL probable that Mr.. Plain was under the
delusion that he was about to plunge into a
body Of water. 1t is evident that he never re-
covered consciousness, and it Is probable that
he was unconscious Of what he was doing from
the time he got out on the roof. Mr.. Plain
leaves . wife and two daughters, who are natur-
ally very much Prostrated over the unexpected
and sad close Of the life Of . loved father and
husband.
Mr.. Plain was not only well known in business
| circles in this city, but he had large circle
Of friends. Although his business career here
is Of comparatively recent origin, yet Mr..
Plain Is practically native here. He was
born hfty-one years ago in Alexandria and left
| school at the breaking out Of the war "a
enter the confederate army. He served through
the war and then returned to Alexandria.
Shortly afterward he went to Memphis, Tenn,
| where he engaged In the lumber business. His
wife, who was Miss Ballenger, was resident
Of the place Of his birth. Some ten years age
Mr.. Plain went ont Of the lumber business and
| came to this city to live. He established the
firm Of B. K. Plain & Co. Three years ago he
retired from active business. leaving his bust
ness to be conducted by Mr. w. b. Hibbs, who
uAu uau Deen aSSOclateQ Wltn MIN. since CIV
ing up active business Mr.. Plain has devoted
himself to q sport of which he was always very
fond and became great fisherman. He was
member Of the Woodmont Club and Of the An.
glers' Club.
The funeral, which will be private. will bt
held at 4 clock tomorrow from the residence
Of the deceased. The interment will be In Rocl
Greek cemetery.
The death Of Mr.. B. K. Plain was announced
at the opening Of the session Of the board OF
trade this morning. and out Of respect to the
memory Of the deceased the board adjourned.