Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-16
COOPER McGINN.
In o Moment of DespOndency He
Takes His Life.

Few tragedies have shocked Washington
so profoundly as the suicide of J. Cooper
McGinn, which occurred on 9Th street neal
the National Hotel at 7:30 O'Clock last
night. when the respondent man sent q
pistol bullet crashing into his brain. Fol
| many years the victim of his own rash
ness has been prominent in the &C immunity
and he was as popular as he was widely
known. While DR.. Smith Townshend was
health officer Of the District Mr. McGinr
was chief clerk of that department and
became generally liked by all whose bust.
ness threw them In contact with him. bu,
1t was In his social life that his friends
were legion.
He was the soul of good humor. an Inim-
liable raconteur and possessed disposition
as sweet and gentle as woman's. For the
past few months Mr.. McGinn's worldly af-
fairs had not prospered. although he never
complained. even to those who lnew him
best. After leaving the health Office, he be-
came an insurance solicitor, representing an
accident and several other companies; but
the generally depressed condition of business
prevented him from accomplishing anything
remunerative in his new venture, and q
steady series of disappointments in CHER
directions from which he expected employ
ment added to his dependency.
He spent the day yesterday in company
with his wife at the residence Of Mr.. George
p. Smith on street and in tn. evening
strolled down toward his residence, where
his wife. who had gone driving with Mrs.
Smith. was to meet him. He stopped at the
National Hotel and chatted for some time
with several friends, showing all his &C
customed animation and cheerful spirits.
He left them about 7:3O and walked up 9th
street. A few moments later muffied re-
port OF 1rearm was heard and the pass
Ing crowd saw man fall to tine pavement
few rods from the avenue. The news
quickly spread that Cooper Mc'Iinn had
SnOc htm9Qf hafNra ho f,.al
from the New Jersey avenue station had ar
rived the street was blocked with an i'm
mense throng.
Removed to the Hospital.
The wounded man was taken to the
Emergency Hospital, where he disd without
recovering consciousness an hour after his
deed was committed. The bullet entered the
head at point just above and back of the
right temple. and. traversing the brain,
lodged against the skull on the opposite
side. whence II was removed BY cutting.
DR.. II. l.. E. Johnson performing the opera
ton, assisted by Drs. Barry. Bell and l..
Johnson
Coroner Woodward decided that ar in
quest was unnecessary, and this me 1 ming
tne pouy was removed to the late residence
NO. Al Missouri avenue, where H. now lies.
Mrs. McGinn is Frustrated by the tragedy.
Her husband left her a letter, stating his
desires In regard to his funeral, and making
requests OF his personal property to his
brother and one or two intimate friends.
=, Mr. McGinn was possessed of excellent
literary ability and was a frequent con-
'trioutor to the newspapers. File was a
sracerui writer OF poetry and only a few
weeks ago published small volume Of
verses that was favorably received His
funeral will take place Wednesday after
noon from Al Missouri avenue. The obse-
quies VIII be In charge of his friends and
the interment will be at Rock Creek ceme-
terry. .