The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-30
BLEW OUT HIS BRAINS.
Mr.. Henry M. Cowan Commits
Suicide.
NO CAUSE ASSIGNED

Was Unbalanced--Shot Twice in the
Temple and Yet Lived an Hour and {
HaIf--The City Saddened by the Oc'
eurrence.
Mr. Henry NJ. Cowan yesterday tool
his own life.
A few minutes after nine o'clock il
the morning he was standing in front
of the Andrews Building talking with
Mr.. w. II. Hughes, whose store is OF
the first floor. MIR. Cowan has apart
ments on the third floor Mr.. Hughes
said his conversations was hardly ra.
tional. He went into the North Caro-
lima bookstore, got some matches
and went up to his room.
A few minutes later, about 9:3C
O'Clock, two pistol shots rang out.
Mr.. Marcus Smith, who has his of
flee on the second floor, rushed out
and saw smoke issuing from MIR.
Cowan's room. When he arrived there
he found him lying on the bed, his
feet dragging the floor. From gap
ing wound I'M his temple the blood was
pouring out. On the bed lay an open
razor, and the pistol that had done
the deadly work lay on the floor at
his feet.
DIR. Knox was Immediately called,
and almost in moment Mr.. John w.
Thompson, Auditor Furman, Mr.. b. X.
Lacy, Mr.. Hugh Morson, and the doc
tors We're at the bedside. Drs. Rogers,
Knox, Upchureh and Sexton attended
Mr.. Cowan.
a aH
The wonder was hat he lived so long,
for he died at eleven o'clock. He had
literally blown out his brains.
A great crowd gathered at the door
soon after the shooting, and it was
necessary to detail two policemen to
guard the entrance.
AT 100 o'clock the body was taken
tc the home of his sister and brother
in-law, Capt. and Mrs. G.. b. benson,
where it remained until $3.50 o'clock,
when it was carried to the union
depot.
From the house to the depot there
was an honorary escort, a body of
Masons from William G.. Hill Lodge
and a detail of Knights Templar from
Raleigh Commandery. saagTe
The pall-bearers were: Messrs. G.
T. Leach, T. Il. Womack, Z. NJ. Uzzell,
W.. Ill. Bragg, George w. Thompson, r.
NJ. sFurman, II. ii. Bradley, and Logan
ID. Terfell.
Mr.. Cowan was born at the home of
his father in Wilmington, November
10Th, 1854. His father was Mr.. Thomas
Cowan, one of the most prominent
men in the Cape Fear region. He was
educated in Pittsboro and afterward
went to Alabama, where he was city
editor of newspaper in Opelika. His
brother is now prominent contractor
in Alabama. Fifteen years was Mr..
Cowan employed in the office of the
State Treasurer, for many years as
chief clerk under the late Donald w.
Balm and Col. S. Med. Tate. There
was never a more popular man among
his associates or with the general
public, and his competency was nota-
BILE.
He has been in failing health for
some years, and recently his mind
seemed to be unbalanced.
Some months ago he went to Bur-
1ington and disappeared and all the
indications pointed ITO suicide, but he
was found. and could not remember
any of the circumstances of his disap-
pearance.
just before he left for Burlington
he went into the State Library and
asked Librarian Ellington if he could
find Mr.. w. II. Bragg as he wanted
to see him on very important bust
ness; he left hastily and the next news
Mr.. Ellington heard was of the disap-
pearance at Burlington. Yesterday
morning Mr.. Cowan came to him and
in the same way inquired for Mr..
Bragg. This singular coincidence
made an unusual impression ON Mr..
Ellington.
Mr.. Cowan was a prominent Mason
and Knight Templar, and was one OF
the most genial and open-hearted of
men. His every aequaintace will re-
greet his sad death.
He left no letter telling his reasons
for committing suicide.
Capt. w. r. Blake, of the Raleigh
Commandery Knights Templar; Mr..
w. Il. Faison, of William G. Hill>Lodge,
and Judge T. B. Womack accompanied
the remains TO Pittsboro, as an honor
airy escort.
Capt. benson and family were joined
here by Mr.. r. III. Cowan, editor of the
Durham Globe. and brother of the de-
ceased. The funeral will be held at
Pitts oro to-day.