Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-20
WAS WEARY OF LIFE
Frank Matthews, Aged 10 Years,
Rashly Commits Suicide.
TAKES LAUDANUM and CARBOLIC acid
Believed to Have Been Disap-
pointed in Love.
BODY REMOVED TO MORG UE

Frank Matthews, nineteen years old,
driver of Il milk wagon for W. r. Selec-
man, whose dairy is at No. COS 7th street
southwest. committed suicide this morning
by taking a dose of carbolic acid and lau-
danum- He was said to be under the liz
fiuence of liquor at the time. While the
real cause for his act is not known, some
of his friends have idea that he was
3nted by his sweetheart, and that he pre-
ferred death to living without her. When
found in his room at No. 500 1th street
opposite the dairy. the young man was un-
conscious, and died before DIR. Hazen, the
physician summoned. could reach him.
Matthews, whose parents live near Cen
tervile, in Fairfax county Va. had work
ed for Mr.. Selecman for about two years.
He had always been steady in his habits,
and his work proved more than acceptab BILE
TO his employer. Yesterday he was in his
usual good spirits and gave no evidence
that he had aught to worry him. After
putting mis- horse away last night he dress
ed and went out. He returned to his room
about the usual hour. and persons who saw
him say he then seemed to be little de-
pressed This morning he got up at 3
o clock with his room mates, Harry Thomp-
son and Elmer Gantts, who are also drivers
Tor MIR. Selecman, and attended to his work
as usual 1t was about O'Clock when he
returned from his milk route and put away
his horse Mr. Selecman did not see him.
but the cOlored hoStler, John Harris did
see MIN. and said He was pretty well filled
up with whisky.
Instead of waiting about the dairy until
breakfast was ready Matthews went across
the street to his room. This he had fire.
quenuy done, after taking a nap before
breakfast and nothing was thought of it.
Before going, however. he informed the col
ored man that he was tired of working,
and said he going quit.
I'm going over and pack my valise,' he
said TO Harris, and I'm going home
His Last Conversation.
These We're the last words he spoke. so
far as is known, for he left Harris and
went directly across the street to his room,
and was not seen again until he was found
in unconscious condition. When Mat
thews told the coiored man that he was
going 20 pack up and go home he evidently
had no idea of doing so, for he had the
bottles of poison in his pockets at the time
Matthews absence from the breakfast
table caused the belief that he had gone
to sleep and had not aroused in time, and
Mr.. Selecman sent his nephew 10 call
him The latter went over to the room
and found the door locked
The young man could hear heavy breath
ing from the room inside and, being unable
TO arouse the sleeper. he returned to his
uncle and told of the circumstances. Harry
Thompson and Elmer Gantts then went
over TO ascertain, and they found Mat
thewS in bed with his clothing on. He di
not respond to their calls, nor could they
arouse him in any way and DIR. Hazen
was sent for.
In the meantime Mrs. Petignat who oc-
cupies the house. went up to the room to
learn what had caused the commotion.
Reaching bis bedside, she put her hand on
his head and remarked: He's dead"
The TelI-Tale Ring.
Then. taking hold of his hand. she
noticed a wide gold ring on his finger,
which caused her to add to her other re-
mark: And I'll bet this ring is the cause
of it,"
DR.. Hazen reached the room a few
minutes later, and when he pronounced
that life Was extinct the police removed the
body to the moIgue.
on the little washstand near the bed
were -wo ylais. which told the story of
bow the man had ended his life. On one
OF The walls was label marked ''Lauda-
num-, with the skull and cross bones and
POISON imprinted to indicate the danger
Gus qualities of the contents. This label
Indicated that the poison had been bought
at Shaw q ITS drug store. on Connec-
ticut avenue. The carbolic acid he had
1ought at Thomas X. Shaw's drug store ON
9TH street northwest.
Mrs Petignat keeps a cigar and station
cry store on the lower floor of the building,
and she knew Matthews because he had
Teen one OF her patrons and had called her
odd woman" He frequently stopped in
the store TO get cigar, she saio to a Star
reporter, and he often laughed and joked
with her.
Il frequently spoke to him about his
lady friends she said, "and asked him II
he was soon to be married. His answer
was: I'm not ready yet
Inquest Unnecessary.
As soon as the police had removed the
body to the morgue the room was locked
and no search was made for any letters
the unfortunate Eian may have written.
There was nothing found in the pockets of
his clothes to show any cause for his rash
act. Coroner Carr found an inquest un-
necessary. and gave a certificate of death.
His body was turned over to his relatives
brother and sister, who live mere and
they will have it sent to the home of their
parents in Virginia.
LIEUT.. STEVENS DEFENSE.