Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-13
HANGED HIMSELF
Henry Eickel, German Dyer Takes
His Own Life.
DESPONDENf over LACK OF BUSINESS
Had Often Made Threats of Self
Destruction.
WIFE HAD DESERTED HIM

Henry Eickel. German. the proprietor
of dyeing and cleaning establishment at
12l1 New York avenue. committed suicide
about noon today. by hanging himself to
tine frame of the door In a back room of his
shop. Eickel was sixty-three years of age.
Dependency over business matters coupled
with other troubles, is supposed to have
been the cause.
Eickers body was discovered just about
II O'Clock by William d. Taber, letter
carrier, who had entered the shop. The
front door of the establishment was open
and no one was inside. A curtain divided
the front room from the back. and pushing
this aside Tabler entered the rear apart
ment. In the dim light he saw the body
of Eickel hanging from the door frame.
One foot was on a chair, which had
been upset and the other was hanging
flee. One glance convinced Tabler that
the man was dead. and. running outside,
he shouted for assistance.
Police Summoned.
The first person he met was Obedian
Evans who roomed with the suicide and
worked with him until three weeks ago.
A telephone message was then sent to the
first precinct station, and officers Field
and Johnson responded. DR.. W. P. Carr
wes notified also. When the officers ar
rived at the shop they cut the body down
ard it was then laid on the floor.
On examination Il was found that life was
extinct but the body was still warm. The
hanging had taken place evidently only a
few minutes before the discovery of the
body.
Soon after II O'Clock Eickel went to the
establishment Of Anton Lerch, S26 18th
street. 20 take back some work. He SEEM
ed very respondent. and told some of the
persons in the place that he was tired
of life.
He had a number of times before de-
clared that he intended to emo his life, and
nothing special was thought of this. He
left the store and returned to his shop.
c. NJ. Morrison took him some neckties 20
clean, but Eichel said he could not fix them
then. and directed that they be brought
back Thursday. He did not feel like
working on them today, he said
Very DeSpOndent.
He was not seen then by any one until
after the body was found. Evans, who
roomed yith him, left Eichel about half
past S o'clock this morning. The old man
was terribly respondent, he said, and de-
clared he did not know how he could pay
his house rent, and said he could not make
enough to live on
Il think I'll just kill myself and be done
with the whole business" he told Evans.
Il work myself to death and get nothing
for it. Ill kill myself: that's what I'll do"
Evans had heard him say this often be-
out his threat. Only few days before he
broke looking glass in his workshop, and
was evidently superstitious on the subject,
and he was more than ever depressed after
the accident happened, it was stated.
When the body was found his collar and
necktie coat and vest had been removed
and placed together on board used for
ironing. close to the door from the frame
o. which he had hung himself. There was
hook in the frame, and the old man had
taken a piece of clothes line. on which he
was accustomed to hang articles 10 dry.
and attached this to the hook. The rope
appeared to be rotten. and it seemed re-
markable that 1t stood his weight.
Left No Message.
There WAS no rote or message of any
kind left about the place, SO far as could
be found.
1t was stated that in addition to his de-
spondency from having little business.
Eichers wife had left him some time ago.
and this had greatly distressed him. He
has a daughter, Mrs. Charles B. Smith,
who resides at 9J3 Amsterdam avenue,
New York and she will be notified. 1t was
also said he had a sister living in Balti-
more.
The coroner was notified. but deemed an
inquest unnecessary. The body will prob
ably be taken TO tie morgue to await the
action of friends or relatives