Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-22
SUICIDE ON A TRAIN.

City and Died at the Police stntion--h
Strange story Told by His Letters--Was
Probably Demented.
Il il not often that man takes pains TO
briefly record history OF his own life that
he who desires may read, and then coolly
administers with his own hand the fatal
poison which must surely and inevitably
launch him into another world. Yet this
is Just what Frank q. Coates did, II the
posthumous papers found on his person
are to be credited.
Coates arrived in this city on the second
section of the Washington and New York
express at l.55 Thursday morning. The
conductor noticed that he was getting
strangely, and Coates was put of when
the train stopped Mt the station, The sup
position was that the man was intoxicated.
He was turned over to an officer, who
took him To the city hall, where it was
discovered he had taken laudanum. A
call was sent for DIR. NJ. j. Hughes, police
surgeon, and when ho arrived he used q
stomach, pump on the patient, but without
avail. He never regained consciousness
and at 4.l5 o'clock he died. Deputy
Coroner Palmer was subsequently notified
and removed the body to the morgue.
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
An examination Of the papers Of the
deceased on Thursday revealed the fact
that Coates died by his own hand. In
brand new note book lie had written a
brief history of his life. 1t read as follows:
This is my last writing and it is to whom It
may concern. / had cause TO leave home
when was Is years old, and since that time
have had varied life. l have hnd many ups
aud downs. Through II all have been, 80 far
as know, honest ! have been con'
who condemned me did not understand my
position and could not. am suffering from .
disease inherited from my ancestors andi not
anil 1 n ftta laua Ikvn
been their misfortune. L cannot help doing
what have done any moro than can help
this lie which waa given me. But who could
understand II. found in lhiladolphia few
nights ago doctor who does know what IL Is,
and he says IL IL disease aud not fault. IL
people would work from n friendly feeling
and not alone for soif-promotion the world
would be better.
know man who, II he will stop and look
back ward over the lives OF my ancestors, Will
know Ii is disease. lie knows them well and
me also. My God, 10 ] had no more 10 contend
with han lie has this life would be q pa adise,
but as it is 1t Is q hell and must leave II. So
F. q. COATES
SIGNED AFTER THE FATAL DEED.
close examination of the note book
and its contents discloses the fact that two
Of the three pages of the suicides history
were written in ink and bya delicate hand.
The third and last page was penned in
scrawl and the signature was so bad that
Coates name was barely recognizable,
which would indicate the fact that Coates
swallowed the fatal drug on the train and
then attached his name to the history.
OTHER LETTERS FOUND.
Several letters were found ON the person
of the deceased and the contents Of some
of them were equally as sensational as the
character of the brief autobiography found
in his pocket. In a letter to Emery Marvel,
No. 1880 Walnut street, Philadelphia, bear
ing date of February lith. and written in
Washington, the suicide speaks of his
career and hopes for the welfare of his
friend. "It / had my life to live over
says. and in the very next SEN
tence he sets himself right by declar-
ing: NO. | could not do TINT II
Is not my nature. A man cannot do what
is not in him. You will probably say that
] anu demented. 1t may be true But have
been near the brink so often that II seems
am now going from hell to heaven. 1t Is
| only one step from one to the other. |
shall procure some drug which will end it.
had drug which was sure killer but
Bertha persuaded me to throw IL away. 1
| cannot getlt now, so will take lnudanun.'
THE WORLD WAS COLD AND HARD.
In letter to "My Dear Brother bear
ing date of February 18th, the writer says
he has been in many places and chimes,
but with his present health the world
seems cold and hard to me.'
| In letter written at Wizards Hotel in
| Washington, February 14th, and addressed
to Dear Stinson," the writer asks: "Why
is it an honest man cannot obtain employ
ment? This body they can do what they
please with it. 1t is immaterial to me, so
goodbye"
A letter written by Charles B. Richards,
attorney:at'law Of Georgetown, Del, and
addressed to IF. G. Coates, ESQ.," stated
that Richards had sent him power of at
torney to be signed by Mr.. Boston, have
1t signed and return it to me, and will
send you the money, and satisfy the judg-
ment," the letter stated.
Two certificates of admission to the
Jefferson Medical Hospital of Philadel-
phia, bearing date of July 4th, 1903, and
September 4th Of the same year were
found on his clothes, in addition to the
following A trunk check. No. $50; steam
ship ticket on the lroquois, emitting the
holder to seat No. 36 penknife, two
| pocket combs, gentleinan's moon
stone ring, lady's ring, gold watch
and chain, Hartford make, case No.
", 1852 and number of works, OPS 1856;
picture OF dsrk-haired girl; receipt for
drugs issued by A. ID. CasRaden, Atlantic
city. y. j.; menu of the Florence Hotel of
philadelphia, where the deceased stopped
February 3d. small piece of tobacco; an
empty bottle bearing the stamp of the
Colonnade Hotel, Philadelphia, which
formerly contained laudanum: key ring
and small sum Of money.
PERSONAL DESCRIPTION.
Deceased was apparently about 81 years
old, feet ~ inches in height, and will
probably weigh $50 pounds. He has light
brown hair, blonde moustache and blue
eyes. He wore mixed gray cutaway coat
| and vest, nearly new, and trousers of the
same material. He had on a dark blue
cravat Earl & Wilson collar and cuffs,
newly Numbered, and small derby hat.
lie wore lace shoes and dark gray over
coat. His undercothing was OF good
quality, and everything about the man
plate OF three false teeth in his upper jaw,
which were found in his coat pocket.
Deputy Coroner Palmer on Friday
held an inquest upon the remains. The
autobiography which Coates wrote prior
to his death and in which he signifed
his intention of committing suicide was
placed in evidence and the jury rem
dered verdict that the deceased came
to his death from suicide. The parents
OF the young man claimed the body.
WAS RATHER WILD.
SpecialCorrespondenc Of Gazette and Journal
GEoRGETowN, Feb. l5.-Frank q. Coates
Is son OF Captain Thomas A. Coates, who
ives between Greenwood and Milford. lie
mas peeh living at Atlantic City, NJ He
naS hau trouble with his parents and was
rather wild young fellow