The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-26
BRUCEM'GEE'SS SUICIDE
HE WAS WELL KNOWN AS A WASH
INGTON-STREET RETAIL CLERK.
Of Work and Despondent-Post
Mortem to BE Held.

Bruce MCGEE, for many years well-known
figure In Washington-street retail circles. was
found dead under peculiar circumstances at
Ill East Washington street yesterday morn
ing at o'clock. Incidents surrounding his
death point to suicide. Until four years ago
MCGEE was employed in Harris shoe store
on Washington street, when he removed to
Paris, ILL.,. where he engaged in the same
business. Last week he came back in search
OF employment He rented a lodging room
from Charles r. Miles at III East Washing
ton street on Wednesday. During the week
Miles noticed that MCGEE was drinking heav-
lily and seemed downcast and respondent
Sunday afternoon MCGEE had a conversation
with Miles, asking him to give him employ
ment as waiter. He said that he had never
worked at waiting table and Miles informed
him that he could not employ him. because
of his inexperience. MCGEE declared that
he must find employment Of some kind.
John Il. Ireland. Miless night clerk. con-
Quoted ledger to a room on the same floor
occupied by MCGEE Sunday night at 1880
o'clock. Ireland and the man with him
heard groans proceeding from McGee's room
and pushed the door open. MCGEE COM
planned that he was Ill. but refused to allow
Ireland to summon a physician. Yesterday
stairs to call one Of the dodgers and noticed
that AIcGee's door was standing open. Re-
Numbering that MCGEE was Ill, ireland
stepped inside TO inquire II ne was better.
Receiving no answer to his inquiries he
touched the mans arm and discovered that
he Was dead. Miles al once notified the p0-
lice Everything about the room was kept
intact until Coroner Casters arrival. Be
fore retiring the night before MCGEE neatly
arranged his clothes on one chair. In his
he
lid OF small pill-box, together with a bit
Of paper in which ii had been wrapped The
box was found across the room on wash
stand. 1t was empty, had no label and was
new, showing that il came from drug store
very recently, probably Sunday night. The
dead mans face was badly discolored, as
though he had died from the effects of poison.
The circumstances OF The empty pill-box, TAX
en- In connection with MeGee's dependency
and financial straits, lead the coroner TO be-
leye that McGoe died the death OF suicide. AT
the coroners direction a post-mortem exami-
nation was held 1t threw no light on the
cause Of death, and the stomach and por-
ton Of the liver were retained in order that
a chemical analysis may be made. If future
circumstances seem to require an examina-
ton into the cause or death. No money was
found about him.
MCGEE was about forty years OF age. Sew
eral years ago he and his wife were divorced.
Subsequently Mrs. MCGEE remarked. She
and her second husband, together with her
son George, more generally known as ''Dode''
MCGEE, moved to Philadelphia, where they
now reside. From letters found in McGee's
pockets it was learned that he had relatives
living in Paris. ILL.,, and they were at once
notified. Letters from his son were also
found.
John Hart, owner of a shoe store 10 North
Pennsylvania street says that he first formed
McGee's acquaintance when they were both
employed In Joseph Hays's shoe store, four
teen years ago. After MCGEE and his wife
were divorced he and Hart roomed together
for several years When Mr.. Hart went into
the shoe business he employed MCGEE. Nc
Gee had been resident of this city for over
twenty years, and was we'll liked by retail
merchants on Washington street. He was
quiet and unobtrusive. and had but one fault
he would occasionally drink more than was
good for him. At times he had stomach
trouble. Hart thinks 1t possible that MCGEE
may have taken an overdose of some medi-
cine intended TO relieve an attack of cramps,
but is more inclined TO think he died by his
own hand MCGEE called on Hart last week
and told him that he came here to find emf
ployment.
yesterday afternoon from B. Wilkin, Of
Paris, H., saying: Mother will be there
on Knickerbocker," IN answer to a message
informing Wikin of McGees death. Mr..
wilkin is brother-in-law Of the deceased.
His mother did not arrive at Whitsett's
morgue last night, and 1t Is presumed she
will reach here TODAY.