The morning times., 1897-03-08
A DEATH CAUSED By GAS
Patrick Roach, a Civil War Veteran,
Probably Committed Suicide.
His Body Found in Room AT the
BOA rding-House of Mrs.
Mary Jackson.

Patrick Roach, veteran of the late
War, about fifty-four years of age, was
found dead in his room at the boarding
house OF Mrs. Mary Jackson, No. 212 ID
street northwest, about 2:3O, yesterday
afternoon. The room was filled with
gas, which was flowing from one OF the
jets. which was turned on full headway,
and death was due Go asphyxiation. II is
Lot Known whether the man committed sui
eide or whether the gas WIS turned ON by
accident
Little is known of the man and I'D to n
sate nOGr last night nobody Identified
She remains. Mr. Roach came to Mrs.
Jackson : house about three months ago.
and engaged a room, but did not take his
meals at tie house, nor ningle with any
of bis fellOw-rcomers. He seldom engaged
in conversation with anyone, though at
al times he appeared bright and cheerful
His room tent was paid promptly, and
he seemed To be possessed of some means
although ne said that he was not actively
engaged IN any employment. He gave
Mrs. jackson as reference the name and
address ofthe iaHdlady in this city where
lie said he had lived for five years. He
Hcrer had occasion to state his own name
and II was only learned from two or three
invitations from the Young Mems Catholic
CiEb 30 attend their smokers, which was
the only correspondence he received during
the three months he lived at the house
Usually he spent the day downtown, but
was always in his room by in the
eveaing.
acn was last seen Saturday night
going to lis room. About IL O'Clock
yesterday morning be began 60 snoTe SO
toad rs 10 annoy some OF Jhe other rOomers.
ana the servant reported TO her mistress.
Mrs Jackson sent the girl TO the door
Of h!r. EuaciI ; room TO ascertain il the
gas was escaping. but everything was all
right at that time. Shortly after
O'Clock the servant again had occasion
To pass the room occupied by MIR. Roach,
when she detected a strong odor of gas.
Upon informing the landladY, the room
Was entered and the man was found
stretched ont upon the floor in fIont of
TIE ied. lie was dressed only in his
undertaking and slippers, anu the room
Wa H.lea 10 >uifocation with gas. which
WAS rapidly escaping from one OF the
Jets.
ar- oHsicy. who resides in the house,
vas Summoned, but upon investigation
found jnai the man had beeh dead for
fully an hoUr. The police of the Sixth
precinct were at cnce notified, and took
charge OF the nody and removed it to
the nIOTguc. 4 close inspection of the room
failed 10 discover any note which the
man might have written had he deliber-
ately committed suicide. Everything a bout
the room was in proper order. \ bottle
Containing some liquid and bearing A
label marked poison and for external
ever, that the man had taken any drug,
as inc had previously stated that he was
troubled with rheumatism and laid he
usel the poison to relieve his pain.
Whether or not Roach had any relatives
living in this city is not known. When he
engaged the room at the house he told the
lIndlady that he was pensioner, and had
lag the remainder OF his life without seek
ing employment, though he said he had
been offered rdmunerative clerkship He
attended st. Aloysius Church, but irregu-
larry. and it is believed that he was a
member OF the G. A R.
ali OF his personal effects, including his
papers and clothing, are locked up in his
trunk, which was taken possession of by
ihe police, and will be turned over to
Coroner HamGett, who was notified OF
the death last night, and will have an in
Festigarion today, and If necessary an in
quest VIII be held.