The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-18
MAZYCK NILES DEAD.
Found i'm His Room With a Re-
volver i'm His Hand.
A BULLET HOLE I'M HIS HEAD.
Suffering From Chronic Gastrftis. He
Ends His Life, but Leaves No
Word Behind.

After lying dead probably ten hours, the
rigid body OF William Mazyck Miles was
found IN his room. at the Rainier Club at
O'Clock last night, revolver cIgtched IN
his nerveless fingers, a powder-burnt hole
back OF his right temple, and the pillow
and bedding stained with blood that was
almost dry, telling story of suicide.
Mr.. Miles absence about the club dur
ing the day had net been remarked. as he
has lately been in the habit OF spending
much time in his room, and being a late
sleeper and having complained recently OF
not being well, no attention was paid 10
the fact that he was not about the club.
Added 10 this was the absence during the
afternoon OF number Of the servants.
and his death consequently passed undis-
covered longer than would usually be the
case.
About O'Clock in the morning Mr..
Miles bell rang and was answered by one
OF the attendants named Cation, and OF
him Mr.. Miles asked for another of the
servants named Bailey, who was in the
habit or waiting on him Bailey went TO
the room and Mr.. Miles ordered mis- break
fast. which was shortly after delivered to
him. he appeared about as usual and
talked, as the arrangements for his break
last were being made. on various sub
Jects with Bailey. who shortly after re-
tired. That was the last time Miles was
seen alive.
AT O'Clock last evening. Stark. the stew
ard OF the club. sent Bailey up 10 Mr..
Niles room. after learning that he had
not been down to lunch or dinner. Ii was
custom of the deceased not 10 close or
lock his door, and when Bailey knocked
ana received no response he crossed the
room and started 10 shake Mr.. Miles TO
awaken him. The first touch convinced
the servant that something was wrong,
and looking down he saw the revolver in
the dead mans hand. The matter was inn
mediateiy reported to Stark and both re-
turned to the room, when subsequent in
yestgation revealed the suicide.
The body was reposing in bed dressed
in pajamas. and covered only with a sheet.
Stark at once telephoned the case TO Cor
oner Askam and that official directed Dep
uty Teater to make the necessary inyesti-
cation and take charge of the body. Upon
Mr. Teater's arrival at the Rainier Club
the effects of the dead man were exam
ined and the discovery was made that a
large box of personal correspondence that
Mr.. Miles had been in the habit of keep
ing in his room at the club had been taken
away. and not yestige of writing of any
description was found. No statement as
to his intended suicide or expression of
his wishes was discovered, but the remoy
al OF his private papers lent color 10 the
idea of generalization. Besides his room
at the club, Mr. Miles also had apartments
at the residence of John Kingston. 1915
Jackson street, where a part of his effects
were kept.
Deputy Coroner Teater took possession
of everything. and after making such in
vestigations as were possible and taking
notes of the room and the facts of the
suicide, ordered the body conveyed 10 But
terworth's undertaking establishment.
Mr. I'm n
society and club life, and his death re-
moves from those circles one of their
brightest lights. He came 10 this city
about six years ago, and was one of the
conspicuous members of the colony of
Southerners in Seattle. He at once estab-
lished for himself welcome to the best
houses. and having plenty OF means and
being generous TO a fault, soon numbered
his friends by the score. He invested his
money freely in the enterprises that We're
projected in the days of Seattle's great
prosperity. and in some cases lost IL as
freely. Reyerses in no way changed
his manner of living or his disposition.
and he continued winning for himself
warm places in the hearts OF all who were
privileged to enjoy his intimate acquaint-
ance He had always been regarded
as somewhat eccentric, but was
invariably generous and warm-hearted.
He came from one of the best
two sisters at present reside. His father
and mother. who are both dead. traced
their lineage back to the best colonial
stock Mr.. Miles father was twice elected
attorney general Of South Carolina, and
that fact alone is an attestation OF the
position OF the family in the aristocracy
OF the South.
The ailment which probably caused Mr..
Miles 10 take his life. and which has re-
Gently been growing worse. was gastritis
in a chronic form. Last winter. upon rec
ommendation OF DR.. Dawson, Mr.. Miles
took a trip 10 California in hope Of find
ing relief. He was gone about three
months, and returned apparently much
improved. Recent severe attacks, how
ever, had required. and lately Mr.. Niles
had been compelled 70 confine himself to
a vigorously simple diet His health
brought about frequent periods Of de-
| sponGency, and his malay had taken on
a form OF hypochoHdriasis.
1t is believed that during one OF these
seasons of depression he planned MIS-
death. ard in another he carried his plans
! into effect.
About the usually dignifed club last
night there was an atmosphere OF IN
usual quiet. the gloom cast over the place
by the tragedy so shortly before enacted
impaFtiug Itself 10 the few VINO sat
about discussing the affair In hushed
| voices Only the good that might be
spoken OF such a man as Niles was heard.
| and no fairer sermon could he preached
| than was told IN the stories OF the dead
| mans worth.
James B. Howe, OF the firm Of Donworth
| & Howe spoke most feeiingly OF Mr.
| Miles Mr.. Howe had studied law in the
| Office OF Mr.. Miles father, and knowing
| the family as well as he has for years.
| was well qualified 10 pronounce n touch-
! Ing requiem Other men who had known
| him in his best days spoke az the man as
| they had always found him; one with the
highest sense OF honor. generous and
| kind. and with that highest qualification
in the makeup OF a true gentieman-con-
| sl5sratiou for the feelings Of others.
Mr.. Miles lived on the income from ais
| own property. ard leaves no debts. He
| was always liberal In his subscriptions 70
| every hing that was for the interest OF Sc
| attic and always insisted that his name
should not he connected with any OF his
rumeroIs charities.