St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-04-04
FREDERICK @. FAY TOOK CORRO-
SIVE SUBLINIATE INSTEAD OF
HAMLET,S NEEDLE.
SENSATION In A STUDIO.
CRAZED BY THE BURNING IN HIS
THROAT, A BAFFLED WOULD
BE SUICIDE.
TRIES TO LEAP TO THE STREET.
An Ex-Opera Singers Tragic Exit Is
Circumvented by Prompt Ac-
ton Of Friends.

Friedrich G. Fay, q photographer twenty
two years of age, made an unsuccessful at
tempt at suicide yesterday afternoon at the
studio of C. H. Newcomb, 419 Wabasha
street.
The man attempted to take his life by
swallowing large dose of corrosive subli-
mate. AS soon as it was discovered Fay had
taken poison, DR.. Walrath was summoned
and. after administering an antidote, notified
Officer Calvin, who called the central patrol
wagon and sent the would-be-suicide to the
city hospital. An examination showed that
Fay had taken an unusually large quantity
of the virulent poison and that he would in
all probability die from its effects. Inability
to procure employment was the cause of the
mans attempt at self destruction.
Fay came to st. Paul last fall with the Will
bur Opera company, but was discharged on
account Of his drinking propensities shortly
after reaching the city. Having a fair
knowledge of photography he has since OBJ
taned temporary employment at retouching
in different studios of st. Paul and Mime
apolis. He recently worked for Zimmerman
and Shepherd, though he made his head
quarters at Newcombs gallery on Wabasha
street.
Mr.. and Mrs. Newcomb were in the reeep-
ton room of the studio when Fay visited the
place yesterday afternoon at about O'Clock.
The man began talking about his misfor-
tunes, declaring he had made up his mind to
end his troubles by killing himself. Fay had
| frequently INDUCED in talk of a similar kind,
and no attention paid to his utterances,
aside from Mrs. Newcomb jokingly inquiring
what method he intended using. Taking a
small envelope from his pocket bearing the
inscription "bichloride of mercury" Fay re-
piled that he had procured preparation that
| would quickly insure death, and that he
meant to use it. After talking for about fif
teen minutes he got up and entered the toilet
room. Mrs. Newcomb heard him draw a
| glass of water, but stated that she did not in
terfere because she did not think Fay pos
| sessed enough courage to take the step he
had threatened A moment later he staggered
into the reception room, saying: "Well, I've
done it at last; it's all over now" Thoroughly
| alarmed, Mr. Newcomb hurried after physi-
clan. In the meantime Fay paced up and down
the room, clutching his throat and vomiting
profusely. When DR.. Walrath arrived the
man suffering intense agony, and begged
the physician to put him out of his misery.
''Shoot me- anything he cried, ''to stop this
pain"
Having this request for determination de-
MED, Fay rushed toward the front window,
and would have thrown himself to the street
beneath had not Mr.. Newcomb grappled with
him and forced him into the rear of the room.
During the ride to the hospital Fay repeatedly
attempted to jump from the patrol wagon.
lays father is a photographer, of Findlay, o.
The Gordon Hat should not be above your
head, but upon it. Pay $3.50 at your hatter's
and take it.