Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-11-26
SUICIDE or PEN. HIGGINS.
Deliberately Ended His Life In Phila-
delphia Friday Night.

delphia Friday Night.
aNewspaper Man OF Wide Experience and
a Brother of ex-Uuited States Senator
Anthony Higgins of Delaware.
Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 21.-Pen,
nell Q. Higgins, brother OF ex-
Senator Higgins Of Delaware and a
newspaper mum Of wide experience and
more than ordinary ability, committed
suicide last uight by inhaling gas. His
body was found this morning in his
room at the boarding house, No. 405
South Eighth street. fle is believed
to have become respondent, although
Just previous to retiring last night he
seemed in his usual good humor.
From the circumstances surrounding
the case. 1t is evident that his suicide
WAS deliberately planned. He had
pulled his bed into the middle OF tho
room, and after turning on the gas
from the side bracket on the wall be
attached rubber tube to the chandler
overhead and placing the other end in
his mouth laid on the bed. al
Higgins' last place of employment
was ON the Press in this city. During
the days prior to the Republican con.
yention at ST. Louis, Mr.. Higgins was
stationed at Major McKinley's home
| and rendered most efficient service to
| his paper. He left the Press about
three weeks ago.
In his time Mr.. Higgins has been
connected with various papers in diff.
ferent parts of the country and had a
very wide acquaintance among public
men. He was born in Delaware and
was a bachelor. lie was about 50 years
of age.
| REASONS FOR THE ACT.
Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 2l-- The
fatal act, as far as can DO learned was
due to the simple circumstances that
Higgins was three weeks overdue in
his board bill and being out of employ
ment, had no means of meeting the OBJ
legation.
He was for many years associated
with the Philadelphia Press and was
entrusted With many of the most i'm
portant news assignments. He particu-
larly distinguished himself during the
recent Presidential campaign by q
series of special articles from Canton,
Ohio. Mckinley's home.
Higgins first came to this city many
years ago, connecting himself from the
first with the Press. He ultimatel,
drifted away to engage in literary work
in other fields. Last March he returned
and remained with the Press unit
three weeks ago. Since then he was
without employment up until the time
of his death.
OF a proud disposition, however, b,
did not acknowledge his poverty to hi
friends and even his landlady supposed
him still at work.
| Yesterday the third weeks unpait
board was due. Higgins came int
supper as usual, and in response t,
some hint from the proprjetress of tn
boarding house where be had heel
stopping, exhibited a letter which b
had just received. 81 wish this ha,
come this morning." He said ~
contained check.n The banks ar
all closed now, hut I'll get it cashed i
the morning and settle up my account
He ate supper with wonted cheerful
ness and soon after went out.
AT midnight, or very early this morn
ing, he returned, letting himself i
with his latch key. About 10 o'cloc
this forenoon servant in the hous
, noticed strong odor OF gas pervadin
the hallway outside Higgins room
Suspicion was aroused and u policema
summoned.
Investigation disclosed that the vi
fortunate journalist had moved his be
. to position in the room directly b,
meath an overhead chandelier and ha
attached one end of six-foot length {
rubber hose to burner. The othl
end he had clasped between his lin
after tuning on the stop cock flu
head. He had taken the most elabora
care that nothing should Illustrate h
purpose. Both windows had been tight
closed, an old pair of trousers had bee
wedged between the door and the foo
: ing beneath, while another gas burn
il ON wall fixture had been turned Z
n and was found flowing freely. Higgi,
!, was quite dead and the body was take
Q in charge by tho corner undertaken.
'. His effects consisted simply of
q number of unimportant letters al
l. businesa kilograms, a latch Ike
n spectacle case, match safe and tV
[. pennies.
. Among the letters was one from h
d cousin, Emily p, Corbit, inviting hi
3. to join in tho annual reunion of h
N family at Odessa, Del, on ne
Thanksgiving Day.
Deceased was 80 years of age and u
married, Some years ago no invest
=, the whole savings of HIS many years
Id newspaper work in u gold mine spec
/: lation and that tho venture turned O
J, upsuccessfully is understood to ha
1. been ono of tho Causes of his financi
1; trouble and dependency.
r; "