Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-14
DEATH FROM lNHALING GAS
Orazed by Loss of Her Husband, Mrs. Pagan
hoff Com its Suicide.
The Deed Carefully PIanned-Deceas-
ed Had Been Employed as Nurse i'm
Homeopathic Hospital.

Dfsconsolate over the loss of her hus-
band, and not wishing to live without him,
Mrs. Ollie Paganhoff committed suicide by
inhaling gas this morning at the residence
of Mr.. Howard A. Graham, 1927 10th
street northwest. The suicide was most
carefully planned and successfully carried
out.
Mrs. Paganhoff's husband died about five
years ago, and twice prior to this she made
attempts upon her own life. The third and
last effort was successful. A short time
after her husbands death she attempted
suicide by the use of gas, but her plan was
frustrated. Some little time ago she again
tried to end her existence, this time with a
pistol, and selecting her husbands grave
in Rock Creek cemetery as the place of
execution.
Employed as Trained Nurse.
The woman had been visiting her sister
in Jackson, Ohio. for the past two or three
weeks. She had been taking her leave from
duties in the Homeopathic Hospital in this
city, where she was employed as trained
nurse. She returned here Tuesday, and,
as two or three days of her leave re-
manned, she determined to spend the time
at the residence of Mr.. Graham, who has
known her for many years She appeared
10 be in excellent health and spirits, and
made many plans for her winters work.
Several remarks which she made, however,
and which were brought to mind by the &C.
cCrrencc, showed that Self-deStruction was
uppermost in her mind all the time.
Naturally she was a bright woman, and
had rather extraordinary business capabili-
ties. but it is supposed that her husband S
death so preyed upon her as to unbalance
her mind.
When she first came to the house she
was given large front room in the second
story. After the first day she complained
that a boarder in the house, who was sick
and occupied the next ROOM kept her
awake at night. and asked for a small hall
room on the sane floor, in the rear of the
house This request was granted. Last
night she appeared in brighter spirits than
usual but when told that she was to be
left alone in the house for little while
begged Mr.. Graham and his wife not to go,
saying that they might not see her again.
No particular attention was paid to this
remark, as it was supposed she referred to
her return to duty at the hospital to occur
within few days. after that time she
would be particularly busy and could not
get out to see them.
Complied With Request.
They stayed in the house. nevertheless,
and the evening was passed playing cards.
About IL o'clock all went to bed, Mrs
Paganhof going to the small room men
toned. After every one was in bed she
called Mr.. Graham and asked for a pencil.
This was given to her, and in a few min
utes she called again and asked if the light
burning outside her door should be eXtin-
Guished She was told to do as she pleased,
and she put it out. evidently fearing an ex-
plosion from the gas which was soon
to end her existence That was the last
seen or heard of her alive.
Upon going down stairs this morning
little before o'clock Mrs. Graham noticed
a strong odor of gas, and, following it up
to its source, saw that tine transom over
Mrs. PaEanhoff'S door was tightly closed.
Mrs. Graham called to her husband to
come down quickly, and upon his arrival
the door was broken open. The odor of gas
was SO strong that the room could not be
entered for moment, even to open the
window.
Mrs. Paganhoff was discovered. attired in
night clothes, lying across the foot of the
bed, with her pillow placed as close as pos
sible to the gas jet. the gas fixture had
been unscrewed in the center, and the
whole volume of gas in the pipe had poured
into the room. The transom and windows
had been tightly stuffed with paper, and a
heavy blanket had been hung SO as to stop
all cracks about the door. The deed was
evidently planned with the closest atten-
ton to. every detail, the woman probably
profiting and being spurred on by the
thought that she had made two previous
failures in the endeayOr to end her life.
Last Message.
Upon close search in the room card was
found. on which was written in lead pencil
probably with the pencil Mrs. Paganhoff
borrowed before going to bed-'Please see
that am dead before you bury me-"
She had always had horror OF being
buried alive, and had frequently made her
friends promise that they would take every
precaution in case of probable death to see
that life was extinct before ordering her
interment. There was no sign of suffering
on the face of the dead woman, but rather
look of contentment, as though all
trouble had been left behind.
DIR. Duffey was Immediately called, but
could do nothing, and stated that the wo-
man had probably been dead three or four
hours. The coroner was notified, as well
as Mrs Paganhoffs father and mother, and
arrangements for the funeral will be made
this evening
Money to lend at ) and per cent on real
Itx,fr-