The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-05
FAILING HEALTH IMPEIs JACOB w.
SOWDERs TO SELF DEsTRUC-
TION.
HE HAD CALMLY PREPARED
ALL HIS AFFAIRS FOR THE TRAGIC
END HE HAD CONTEM-
PLATED.
LEFT HIS STORE TO HARDIcK
Manager of the Minnesota News Co.
Who Will BE Named as Ad-
ministratOr.

Jacob w. Sowders, proprietor Of a
cigar and news store at ia East
Seventh street, killed himself at his
place of business yesterday noon by
shooting a bullet from a revolver into
his head. SOwders had gone at the
thing in methodical and careful way
and intended that there should be no
failure. His assistant in the store,
Lenard Horton, went to dinner at IL
o'clock as was his usual practice. AS
soon as he was gone Sowders locked
the front and rear doors and placing
chair in corner where he could
not be seen from the street, seated
himself in it. He placed the muzzle
of SO caliber Smith & Wesson re-
volver to the right side of his head
and pulled the trigger. In placing the
chair in which he killed himself in
position he was careful to do it so that
he would not fall on the floor after
shooting himself.
The suicide was not discovered until
1 o clock when Norton came back from
dinner. He was surprised to find the
store locked and several customers
waiting at the door. Norton had left
his employer apparently in the best Of
spirits and not for a moment imagin-
ing anything Of the kind unlocked the
door and entered the store, followed
by the customers. Seated on the chair
was Sowders, cold in death, with the
weapon which had ended his existence
grasped in his right hand. His head
was thrown back ON the top of the
chair, and his staring eyes seemed to
be fixed on the ceiling of the room
Patrolman Casey was notified of the
suicide and took possession of the
store until the arrival Of Coroner
Whitcomb. A note found by that of
fetal under date of Nov. 4, read as
follows:
Mrs. J. ". Sowders: Let Harry, of the
Minnesota News company, have charge of the
store. He is the best man for you to trust.
j. w. Sowders.
P. S.-Don't fail to give the store to Harry
Hardick.
The body was removed to Dampiers
undertaking rooms and, after an inves-
LEGATION, the coroner decided an inquest
was unnecessary. Sowders had resided
in st. Paul for the past twenty years,
and for fifteen years has been engaged
in business here. He had a large circle
Of friends and acquaintance, and was
we'll liked by those whom he came
III COHldCI WIFI. lie leaves a WlIo ana
daughter. The remains will be taken
to his late residence, 831 Agate street,
this morning but arrangements for the
funeral have not been completed.
The reason for the suicide which is
advanced by his friends is that he was
in i'll health and this with the excite
ment incident to his interest in the
election, is thought to have unbalanced
his mind. His constitution never
strong, has been broken down by close
attention to business and his health was
made. worse by worry and attention to
his daughter who has just recovered
from severe attack Of typhoid fever.
Henry r. Hardick, manager of the
Minnesota News company, who Sow
ders suggested should be given charge
Of the business, will be appointed adj
ministrator of the estate. Seen last
evening, Mr.. Hardick said he knew
nothing about the matter further than
he had been requested to take charge
of the estate and would do SO. Mrs
Sowders had sent word that she did not
want the safe and books examined
until she was present and her wishes
will be obeyed in this particular.