Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-27
END OF EARTHLY TROUBLES
Travelling Man Named McElrath Escapes
Them by Shooting Himself
OEsPoNDsNT OVER FINANCIAL MATTERS
Friends Follow and Try to Prevent
Him from Carrying out His
Purpose, but He Gave
Them the slip.

d., X. McElrath, a travelling man for the
l.. G. Doup Mattress company, The Murphy
Wasey company and several other local firms
cimmitted suicide at his residence, ISL.
| Chicago street, last night, between the
hours of 6 and Z o'clock, His death was due
to a bullet from a 3S-caliber revolver, the
wound being located a short distance above
the right ear.
The circumstances surrounding the affair
are somewhat peculiar Yesterday mornins
he called at the factory OF the Doup COM
pany, and in a conversation with the man
ager, j. H. Dl iscol, appeared very despond-
ent He requested the loan of $50, and said
he wished to leave the city and his troubles
! behind him. When questioned more closely
as to his reasons for such a move he said
that his present income from his employ
nent and from the boarding house which he
and his wife kept, had proved inadequate
and he was forced to give up the struggle.
Half the amount requested was given to him
Oy his friend, and he LETT, saying that he
would go to George II. Brewer at South
Omaha and get the balance.
During the afternoon Mr.. Drisco and
James Taggert met McElrath near the cor
ncr OF Sixteenth and Dodge streets. He
seemed more despondent than before and
told them that he had been unable to secure
the amount he required from his South
Omaha friend. He then added that he was
Obliged to support large family, consisting
OF his wife and son, a brother-in-law named
George lgOe, who has been out of work for
some time, and Mr.. lgoe's mother hand
some overcoat. which his wife had given
her brother Christmas appeared to worry
MIN particularly, as he stated he did not
consider himself in a position to make al y
presents.
While talking in this strain he suddenly
heid out his hand to his friends and said:
We'll, old friends, good bye" He then
turned on his heel and walked toward Doug
las street The remark awakened the sus-
picions OF his friends that he intended to
take some desperate course. and they fol-
lowed him to the corner OF Fourteenth and
Douglas streets, where they succeeded in
overtaking him. An officer who stood near
by was requested to watch him while his
friends telephoned to an intimate friend
who is known to have eXerted considerable
influence over him. While they were thus
conversing McElrath walked rapidly down
the street and disappeared. He had previ-
ously stated, however, that he was going to
purchase revolver with which to kill him
self, and did not wish to be followed
Last evening about o'clock he returned
home, and going into the kitchen asked for
his wife He was told that she was absent
tla then went to his room, situated in the
rear of the building on the third floor. and
this was the last seen of him alive At S
u CloCh MIS- MCElratn sent ner son Earl to
call his father, but the lad was unable to
get any response to repeated calls. At 10
O'Clock Mr.. Brewer called. and upon asking
to see McElrath was told he was in his
room. Getting no answer from several
knocks upon the door, Brewer burst it open
and discovered McElrath dead upon the floor
He had evidently sat upon the edge of the
bed, and upon the discharge of the weapon
had fallen face downward
The deceased was SO years of age at the
time of his death and was one of the most
popular men travelling out of this city. He
had resided in Omaha for eight years He
leaves in addition to his own family father.
mother and sister. living at Macomb. H..
and a brother who resides in Texas Mr.
McElrath was a member of the A. O. U. w.
and the Modern Woodmen, who will take
charge of the funeral which will occur Mon
day The remains will be sent to Mac
comb, H., for interment after an inquest
has been held by Coroner Burket.