The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-21
TO ESCAPE HIS DEBTS.
L. B. Elder Seeks Refuge From
Trouble i'm Death.
HUNG HIMSELF IN THE CELLAR.
Depression in Business and Grief for
His Son Cause Forty-Niner
to Commit Suicide.

Front street, between Bell and Battery streets,
yesterday morning about 1880 o'clock. The
deed was undoubtedly premeditated and the re-
suit of mental disorder produced by financial
reyerses and the shock sustained at the time his
son George killed by Lake Shore train.
After the big fire III 1889 Elder had hardware
ana grocery store in the south end of the Belle
vue hotel, and, while business rushing il
that end OF town, he did we'll The setback
came, however, when business houses in the
burned district opened again and trade drfted
back 10 its original SITE The decline was
gradual but sure, and to add to his troubles, in
the spring OF 1891 his son George, whom
he almost idolized, was struck by an engine at
the Lake Shore crossing at the foot Of Vine
street and sustained injuries that resulted In
his death few days after. The shock told on
the father and the mother was Frustrated with
grief. Mr. Elder still continued his business,
but with the shrinkage in sales he was COM
PEELED to give up the store IN the Bellevue block
last summer, aud moved across the street into
the Leader building, where he resided up TO the
time OF his suicide. His troubles were still
further augmented by his inability TO meet a
bill. owed to a hardware house in Portland.
This bill, Mrs Elder says was $500, and came
due four months ago. Mr.. Boynton, who
represented the house, came up to see about it
and induced Mr.. Elder to make new note Oh
the strength of the promise that the old one
should be returned. This was not done, and
about four weeks ago both were sent through
q bank for collection.
Mr.. Elder could not meet the notes and this
worried him greatly. He could not rid his
mino OF his trouble aud few days before
Christmas went TO his nephew, John II. Elder.
attorney. in the Colman block, and had long
talk which, taken in connection with later
events, largely explains his suicide. He was
very respondent and said:
1.-The hardware business is very dull and
times hard
John II. Elder laughed and replied that that
was the case in many other lines Of business.
Then the old man told enough OF his troubles to
make his companion reply: "Oh, if your
creditors want the hardware stock let them
have it. Wewill see that you don't suffer-
This relieved his mind somewhat, and he con-
tnued: II don't know what is the trouble with
me- OF late can't sleep and 1 see all sorts of
things. But you'll stand by me, won't your
j. H. Elder replied that he would most as
suredly, and the Old man went away, remarking
he went out: "Well, if should 60, my wife
will be taken care of, anyway"
At the beginning OF January, when local bills
are usually presented, he was Obliged to put off
payment in one or two cases, and in another
turned out all the money he had on the counter
and told the creditor to take it, as that was the
best he could do All these things added to the
strain he was under and fastened the end.
Yesterday morning he came down to the store
Mt about 9:15 o'clock and so far his CLERK, A.
l. Wilson, observed, acted in perfectly rational
manner. Not long alter Mrs. Elder came in on
her way down town and he handed her some
money saying he did so: 81 shall not need
it After she was gone he stood in front of the
fire with his hands behind him. Finally he
gave Wilson 50 cents and told him to go down to
the coal hunkers and get a load of screenings.
Wilson left about 10 o'clock and returned at
IL The door was locked. but Wilson thought
hing of that and entered with his own key.
Mr. Elder was not in sight, but his coat and hat
lay on the lounge in the office. Wilson thought
this was rather peculiar, and, when MI Sutton,
who runs a book store next door, came, told
HIM of the disappearance OF Mr. Elder He
suggested that he might be in the basement
workshop, and Wilson, acting on the sugges-
ton, went down to look. The sight that met his
eyes sent thrill of terror through him and
caused his legs to weaken perceptibly. There,
almost in front OF him, danged the body of his
employer. hung by his neck to the end of
board that had been nailed across the posts
supporting the ceiling. His feet barely
touched the floor and, but a short
distance away was a box that he had evidently
stood upon and kicked away when he had ad-
justed the moose around his neck. The cord
used was small, and had been tied securely to
the board and the moose then put over his head
Beyond few marks on the box there were no
indications that be had struggled after the drop.
When Wilson recovered from his surprise he
called in DR.. Neville i'll hopes that some spark
OF life might remain. The body was cut down
and examined by the doctor, who pronounced
lie to be extinct.
Coroner Horton was notified, and after inves-
unnecessary.
The news of the suicide was carried to Mrs.
Elder she was returning home from down
town and the shock was so great that she
reached her home at the corner OF Third and
Vine streets with difficulty. The suddenness of
in =,
came completely unnerved her, and she gave
way 10 her grief in a manner which caused her
relatives uneasiness. During the day she was
attended by her son-in-iaw ". Quasi and his
wife. John II. Elder the nephew OF the de-
ceased, also at the house during the after
noon.
T. b. Elder was born in Harrisburg, Pa, in
1877, of highly respectable parents In 1852 he
crossed the plains 10 California and located at
Vallejo, Sonoma county. Previous TO locating
there he was married in Sacramento. While in
Vallejo Ae followed the hardware business, but
took some part in politics and served two terms
as justice Of the peace About ten years ago he
came to Washington and located in Spokane
subsequently removing to Seattle anu going
into business in North Seattle. During the Chi
riots IN i9e6 he TOOK active part, and at
the following election was elected representa-
tive to the legislature on the fusion ticket OF
late years, however, he has taken little part in
politics, aud has lived retired life. IN some
Things ho was peculiar, this being specially
noticeable in his idea OF banks. lie mad firm
conviction that such institutions were unsafe
aud that man wss foolish TO entrust his money
10 their keeping.
The deceased leaves no estate other than the
stock OF goods in the hardware store At the
lowest calculation the stock will invoice sew.
eral thousand dollars and considerably exceed
liabilities.
Mir. Elders parents both dead, and his
brother John II. Elder, ST.. died at Pise's PEAK
several years after he to the Coast He
leaves widow, son, Frank Elder, aged -
years. now living in Los Angeles, and a dauch-
ter, the wife OF ". Quasi purser OF the steamer
Cry CT Topeka
The funeral services viii he held this alter
noon At o'clock al the rooms of the Cross
Undertaking Company, and the Inlerment at
Mount Pleasant cemetery. Mrs Elder is so i'll
that she will not be allowed TO attend.
Arrested for Stealing Female Gnrb.
James Johnson was arrested YESTERDAY on tie
road this side OF Newcastle by Constable h. +
BrooAs on the charge OF steailg three dresses
from William GullIfoTd 8 dye wor@s at ~ Jack
son struel. Night before last the dye works
We're entered through q window and Il white
silk q black aud blue dress were taken. The
constable met johnson " N the goods thst