Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-29
TIRED OF LIFE
WILLIAM INCOMES SENDS A BULLET THROUGH
HIS BRAIN,
Killing Him Inslanily-Ths Rash Dead Committed
at Room in tAs St Charles Holsl.
Drink the Probable Cause.

Yesterday another was added to the
long list of suicides, which took place
in this city during the last year. Will
liam McCombs, a commercial traveller,
who lived on the Island, sent bullet
through his brain, and ended his exist
ence.
The only cause which can be assigned
for the rash act was mental trouble.
McCombs has been addicted to
drink, and got OH periodical
sprees, on which occasions he would ne
elect his work. He was SAID to be one
of the best hardware statesmen in the
country, being thoroughly familiar with
all branches of the trade. He was at
one time employed at Greer Il Laing's
as travelling salesman, and afterwards
with a Pittsburg house. He lost the
latter position through drink, and after
wards, it is said. took the Kelley cure.
He then secured a similar position with
Worthington & Co., of Cleveland, o.
McCombs has been In the city for sew
eral days. Wednesday morning, about
ten o'clock, he came to the ST. Charles
Hotel, and was plainly under the intiu-
ence of drink. He was assigned a room.
In the afternoon aud evening he drank
more in different saloons about town.
He retired late in the night, and about
four o'clock yesterday morning arose
and left the hotel. He was with
number of friends, and continued his
drinking.
About eight o'clock he returned to
the hotel and went up to his room. A
chambermaid was at work in the room
and had not yet arranged the bed In
which he slept He told her he did not
mind the bed and she left the room,
McCombs closing and locking the door
after her.
It was not q minute after the servant
left the room until she heard two pistol
shots. She notified the proprietor's
son, and Gilbert Russell, B. & o. yard
clerk, and man named Martin went
up to the room. Finding the door
locked, they had to use force to
open it. A sickening sight met
their gaze McCombs was lying on his
back with his arm resting against
wall OF the room, and the smoking re-
volver in his right hand. A bullet
wound in his right temple, and a little
pool OF blood, told the story Of his self
destruction. The weapon used was
22-calibre self-acting revolver OF the
most improved pattern.
1t is supposed that McCombs stood
before the mirror in the room and took
deliberate aim, as he fell Immediately
in front OF it, The first shot was fatal,
as the man was dead when found. The
second bullet sped across the bed and
lodged in the wall on the opposite side
Of the room. 1t was probably tired
while McCOmbs was falling with his
fingers cutching the trigger.
A telephone message was Immediate
ly sent to police headquarters, and
Officers Menkemeyer and Lukens re-
sponded. Coroner Schultz arrived in
the meantime and took charge OF the
remains. Upon the person OF the dead
man was found the following letter,
which indicates that he contemplated
the rash act at least several hours be-
fore the suicide:
1.-THE George Worthington Co.: See j.
w. Jenkins, Union Station, Pittsourg.
NV samples are there.
~. b. Sommervile, attorney: See what
you can make out of my life policy IN the
Home Life Company of New York. AL
other matters settle for the benefit Of my
family and yourself.
"WM MoCoMBs."
The first part of the note was ad-
dressed to the firm which employed
him, and the latter part to his attorney,
Hon. j. B. Sommerville. McCombs
carried life policy in the Insurance
company mentioned, but the amount
could not be learned. No money or
other valuables were found In the
clothing Of the dead man.
Coroner Schultz decided that formal
inquest was unnecessary, and as the
family OF McCombs, who had been noti-
fed Of the affair, did not respond or
leave any directions as to the DISPOSE
ton of the remains, they were turned
over to County Undertaken Altmeyer
and prepared for burial. Last night 1t
was decided 10 make the interment In
Peninsula cemetery, but the date Tor
the funeral was not set.
1t was leaned after the suicide that
McCombs had been about town after
leaving the hotel, and had drank con-
slderably with acquaintances. He was
apparently in a cheerful mood while
with them. An employe of the st.
Charles Hotel, however, saw him walk
ing down Main street in the morning,
with his eyes fixed on the pavement,
apparently in deep thought. In con-
versation with Mr.. Wendell, the ex-
pressman, at his Office on Fourteenth
street, McCombs stated that he was
going to make an effort to quit drink
ing. He was in the Stamm House about
a quarter OF an hour before he commit
ted the rash act, and the clerk, who
has known him for number Of years,
did not notice anything peculiar in his
conduct.
Mr.. McCombs lived at 80 South
Broadway. He has lived on the Island
for a number Of years. BE was about
40 or so years OF age, married, aud
leaves five children, two sons and three
daughters. One of the sons travels for
a hardware house A e;iriend,o of Mr..
McCombs stated that he has been In low
spirits for some time, with something
evidently preying upon his mind, and
his conduct has az times been peculiar.
The members OF his family did not
know that he was in the city, as he had
not notified them Of his arrival, aud
they supposed him TO be out on the
road.