The morning times., 1895-07-28
Poison Taken by Drug Clerk Nc
COmas Was Quickly Effective.
OFTEN SPOKE OF SUICIDE
Nephew Of Judge McComas and Pop
ular Among His Associates He
Friends, But the Drug He Had Taken
Prevented Him From Drinking.

Harry w. McComas, a well-known drug
clerk, and a nephew of Judge McComas,
died about l O'Clock yesterday afternoon
while on the way to Freedman's Hospital,
from the effects of a dose of poison, evil
IDENTIFY taken with - ici9al intent. The
deceased was thirty years old, and with
his wife resided on Teuth street northwest.
He was employed by A. Nattan, at his
pharmacy, corner OF Fourteenth and 1
streets.
McComas was a man of rather dissipatcd
habits, and for some time past has been
drinking freely. Early yesterday morn
ing his wife told him to go to the store,
and she would be down to see him later
in the day.
She bade him goodbye, and did not see
him again until she viewed his remains
at Wright's undertaking establishment,
whittier they Were carried yesterday after
noon.
McComas went to the store and remained
O'Clock. At that time some Que from the
neighbOrhoOd attempted to get in the store
to make purchase aud found il locked.
Where he went from the store is not
known, but shortly before / O'Clock yes
William MCGuire, corner of Seventh and p
streets northwest, where he was very well
known.
AicCoMAS LAST TREAT.
AS he entered Mr.. McGujre and merchant
from a few doors away were drinking to-
gether, aud McGuire cried out:
Hello, Harry. my boy you're just in
time to treat"
We'll, I'll treat" responded McComas.
Give me d glass OF beer"
Just as he uttered the words palor
o'erspread his face and he turned round and
vomited. Mr.. Mcclure told him TO go
down stairs, but he sat down on a chair
instead ard seemed To recover himself.
As he sat down he said TO the saloop keeper:
Its all over now, ard I've come i'll TO
| see you"
He had often spoken of suicide 10 Mr..
Mcclure, and the latter did rot pay any
particular attention TO him then, but after
be had been sitting in the chair a few sec
onds il was noticed that his lips became
purple.
Hls friend became alarmed ard asked
him If there was anything the matter, but
he assured him that IL was all right, and
almost Immediately he began TO doze. His
head fell forward and gasps issued from
ms throat and Mr.. Mcclure ordered his
bartender TO telephone to police head
quarters for the ambulance
For some reason neither the police am.
bulance nor the Second precinct patrol
wagon could be secured, and Policeman
H dimes, who was called in, had the
apparently dying man removed to Tay.
lor's drug store across the street and
medical assistance summoned. DR.. Thomp-
son responded, and the ambulance from
Freedman's Hospital, with a surgeon,
arrived soon afterward.
STARTED FOR THE HOSPITAL
The two physicians worked on him at
the drug store for ten or fifteen minutes,
and then be was placed in the ambulance
and started for the hospital. He died,
however, before half the distance had been
traversed
From the hospital the body was taken
TO the undertaking establishment OF MIR
John K. Wright, corner OF Tenth and o
streets, and his friends and relatives
in the city We're notified Coroner Ham.
nett was also informed OF the affair,
and will investigate the circumstances
this morning at 10 O'Clock
McComas had sbAen in the employ of MI
Nattan at vaTiuus times for the past five
years, and was highly commended by him
as a skilled apothecaIy and an efficient
clerk. He had no family except his wife
/ 10 whom lie was devoted.
His father. who occupied a prominent
State position in Ohio, died several years
ago, and his mother since married MI
| r. H Kaiser, and now resides at No. 1926
| Columbia street northwest His sister
| recently married the son of Judge MOulton
this city, and his tragic end was a shock TO
| them all A good deal OF mystery sur
rounds the possible motive for his suicide
| and the investigation to-day is awaited with
| interest.