Evening star., 1897-06-09
co M MITTED SUICIDE
George q. NARROW Dies From Inhaling 1lu-
minating Gas.
Great Surprise to His Many Friends
Was From Maryland and
Well Liked.

twos Suicides in Washington almost in
variably follow each other In one, two,
three order The records show that when
a person takes his own life in Washington,
two others generally follow suit within
week. There have been three suicides in
Washington within the last forty-eight
hours. Two of them were preceded by
murderous assaults on women in the cases
of Charles E. Barber and Joseph Ferrari.
Almost simultaneously with the latters 5
tragic death, the body of another man who
had taken his life was found in Room 81,
at Mades' Hotel, southwest corner of PenE-
sylvania avenue and Sd street northwest.
The victim was George w. NARROW, a
white man thirty-one years old, who was
native of Montgomery county, Maryland,
and well known in that state and in this
city. He had taken his life by closing the
windows of his room, placing a blanket
over the door, and turning on the gas.
Nothing was found to show the reason
why he took his life, but financial troubles
and the dependency arising therefrom
we're probably the cause, as a letter from
the dead mans brother, Howard NJ. NARROW
of Fairland, Nd, found in his pocket.
This letter stated that Marlow's mother
would make loan the dead man had re-
quested If he gave proper security for 1t.
George NARROW went to Mades' Hotel
Monday. He looked worried and tired, and
told the clerk he wanted a room where lIe
could have good rest. He was assigned
to room 81. a small but comfortable apart
ment, on the third floor He did not come
downstairs yesterday, and in the evening a
porter was sent up to if he was still in
his room. The attendant returned to the
office and reported that the light was burn
ing in 81.
The Body Found.
This morning at $50 o'clock a chamber
maid went to the room and noticed the
smell of escaping gas. She hurriedly sum-
moned George Drum a waiter, who entered
the apartment. He found NARROW lying
undressed in bed and dead. The gas Jet
was turned on full force; the windows
were closed and a blanket from the bed
had been hung over the door, but the tran
som was uncovered. though tightly closed
The alarm was given and Officers Coghill
and Hayes were quickly on the scene. Dr.
Hickling was also summoned. He found
Marlow's body was still warm and was OF
the opinion that If the man had been dis,
covered half an hour sooner his life might
have been saved. All efforts at resusci-
tation, however. proved fruitless. On the
table In the room were pint bottle con-
tanning a small amount of whisky and
large pocket knife. The letter above men
toned was found in his pocket, as well as
letter of introduction from Daniel ODris-
coll. and 50. and package of papers.
NARROW had been canvassing for the
firm of ]. B. Myers & Co., dealers in starch,
soap and sundries. and was at one time
employed by Hill & Co., the dealers in
agricultural supplies Louisiana avenue.
A number OF cards of the Secret Service
Law and Collection Company, located in
the Webster Law building, were also found
in the room.
1t is thought that NARROW, who had been
drinking, went to the hotel to recover
from his dependency and began to brood
over his circumstances. The presence OF
the knife on the table indicated that he
first contemplated death by that means,
but that he afterward concluded to take
the less painful agency Of the gas.
The coroner. who was notified immedi-
ately after the discovery of the suicide,
visit I'd the scene and the body was re-
moved to the morgue.
Surprise at the Decd.
The news of the rash act spread rapidly
and Marlow's friends, who were numerous,
were shocked at it. The general opinion
was that he was the last man in the world
who would have been suspected 81 such a
thing. He had been a man of genial ma
ture. full of fun and even when in straits
joked about the hard times and tried to
hide his own necessities. The general i'm
preston among those who knew him was
that he had grown Respondent over his
upon others, and that he drank
heavily, something he was not at all ad-
dicted to. and while drunk had taken his
life. NARROW was very happily married
mr.
three children.
lie married a sister of John and Frank
FiGler, well known citizens of that Vicinity,
with whom he was on excellent terms. He
was an agent of the Secret Service and Col
lection Company, and Is highly spoken of
by its managers for his honesty and earn
estness. He was also a salesman for j, G.
Myers & Co. of Baltimore dealers in soap
and starch, and was zealouSly attending 10
an increasing trade.
He had made out an aDplicatfon for an
pointment as a Pullman car conductor
April -, and had placed 1t in the hands of
Mt Daniel ODriscoll, the lawyer, who was
his warm friend. The application was
strongly indorsed among those who recon-
mended him being Mr. O'DriscoL, Senator
Wellington, William E. Clark. John Joy
Edison. Louis D. Wine, Whitman H. Viii
son, General Allan Rutherford W. S. Hoge
Salter and De Lauder and others. Governor
Lowndes of Maryland was to have come
to Washington this week to see Mr. Nicho-
las Main of the Pullman Company in his
behalf
He was tall. good-looking man, slightly
paid above the forehead, with blue eyes,
and wore brown mustache He was
popular among his friends and acquaint-
arces and had a wide reputation for his
ready wit and powers as raconteur.
Wren he did not leave his room yesterday
Proprietor Mades sent servant up late
tasI night 10 ascertain If he wanted any
thing He replied good-naturedly that
he needed nothing. Nothing more was
seen of him until his body was found this
morning, as described.
Possible Motive.
The death Of NARROW closes a legal prose-
cution which was started against him Sat-
urday. Mr.. D. E. Kleps. who has grocery
store at New Jersey avenue and r street,
swore out a warrant for him for alleged
forgery and false pretenses. The deceased,
as drummer, had been given a number of
orders for goods by Mr.. Kleps and when
he called a week ago Saturday and was
given an order he asked that the grocer
cash him check for $50. The check, which
was for $50. purported to have been given
by Myers & Co. Of Baltimore, and as an
accommodation the grocer cashed the check
for him. One week later he received word
that the check was worthless. and then he
swore out the warrant. Detective Horne
was given the warrant to serve, but ne had
not heard from the man until he learned
Of his death this morning.
Coroner Hammett has given a certificate
Of death from suicide, and the dead mans
brother-in-law has taken charge OF the
body.
Big Batch of POstmasters.
There were 153 appointments of fourth