Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-04-09
AN AWFUL ACT.
Sensational Suicide of Charles
Arnold.

SENSATIONAL SUICIDE OF Charles
Arnold.
A WELL-KNOWN CITIZENS END,
without Warning or Intimation the Mes
senger ofthe River Engineers Office Does
Away With Himself-shot Twice I'm the
Head-Matters Entering Into the Affair
The Inquest.
Charles Arnold, for years mes
senger in the river engineers office
i'll Rock Island, committed suicide in
most sensational manner at the
home Of his nephew, George Perry,
5l6 Fifteenth street, at $40. yester-
day morning. The news of the
tragic event spread rapidly over the
city, creating profound consterna-
ton, and details of the shocking
affair were eagerly sought. Charles
Arnold, iovial, smiling, happy
hearted Charley Arnold was the last
person on earth to which so deplor-
able an act would have been at
tributed.
L.
been ailing for couple of weeks.
and had received medical attend
ance, and while to the outside world
he did not exhibit anything unusual
IN demeanor. his physician. DR..
Comegys, had observed his inclina-
ton to be respondent, and had
treated him for it as one of the
symptoms of his maladv-bilious-
ness-to which he was subject.
Taken III.
Mr.. Arnold, who was unmarried
had roomed during his long resi-
dence in Rock Island in the buildinr
wherein Maj. Mackenzie's river i'm
| provement offices were located. Two
weeks ago this morning he became i'll
and was disposed to 90 to a hospital
for treatment, and talked with his
nephew. Mail Carrier George Perry.
on the subject. The latter insisted
that he goat once to his house, Char
ley finally yielding, and Mr.. Perry
sent DIR Comegys there to treat
him. During the first week he was
quite ill, though not dangerously so
As was reported at the time, and
which impression led to the belief
yesterday that he had made a
previous attempt at suicide. which
DIR. Comegys now positively de-
MES. Last week, however, he
seemed much improved. and Satur-
day when he called at DR.. Comervs'
Office he showed marked signs of
convalescence. though he seemed to
be laboring under a mental strain.
and the doctor talked to him about
it. told him that he was much better.
and Charley said he knew he was.
The doctor gave him prescription to
produce sleep. as well as to further
his recovery, and that was the last
he saw of the patient alive. While.
rs said, the physician noted that Mr.
Arnold was somewhat distressed
there was nothing in his actions
other than what is apt to come with
liver troubles-and his melancholy
inclinations were not such as to ex-
cite the least alarm.
On. returning to Mr.. Perry's house.
Mr.. Arnold took his medicine, and
then he engaged in a game of whist
with Mrs. Perry, During the past
week he had manifested desire to
play cards constantly. While he
came up town several times day
and attended to some of his duties in
the government offices, he was restless
while at home. though he was al
ways good-natured, but nothing
would do but to play cards. and
when Mr.. Perry or his brother. Ham
ilton Perry, could not be there to
play with him. Mrs. Perry did. So
Saturday evening when Mr.. Perry
reached home for supper, and Mrs.
Perry was obliged to cease playing
in order to prepare the evening meal.
Charley was for playing right along
and having no supper. MIR. Perry
took his wife's place, however, until
supper time. In Difference to Mr..
Arneld's wish some toast was pre-
pared for him. which he partook of
with apparent relish. After supper
the card game was resumed and con-
tinucd until about $50, when all re-
retired, Charley to all appearances in
his customary good spirits. If any
thing, he was more cheerful than
usual. During the night Mrs. Perry
was awakened by his moaning. and
went to his room about 4 clock.
She asked him if she could give him
his medicine. He replied that
he had taken it. AT 5:35 Mrs.
Perry again heard him groan.
and went to his room, and he wanted
her to remain. Mrs. Perry told him
she would return rs soon as she got
breakfast. He remarked: Bertha,
there's only one more day." and
asked Mrs. Perry how she thought
he looked. She replied that she
thought he looked well. She then
remarked about her husband, and a
little boy who is making his home
with them. making a noise together
in an adjoining room. Arnold re-
piled: Eyes, they are having good
time, ar'nt they?"
Tho First Attempt.
About GAO Mrs. Perry heard a
noise like the falling of a window.
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