The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-05
HIS Death
WAS SUDDEN.
Mr.. R. |. Hoffman Accidentally
Poisoned at Newport News.
A FORMER BUSINESS MAN OF
ROANOKE COMES TO AN UN-
TIMELY END IN HIS NEW DRUG
sToRE-HTs PARTNER ALSO
NET A TRAGIC DEATH SEVERAL
YEARS AGo-oPINIoN AT NEW.
PORT NEWS IS THAT MR.. HoFF-
MANS END WAS ACCIDENTAL.

to his widow received yesterday afternoon,
the sad intelligence of the sudden death,
in Newport News, of Mr.. Roland l.. Hoff-
man was conveyed to his friends here,
who heard with deer. sorrow of his I'M
timely and altogether unexpected demise.
Only week ago yesterday the deceased
left this city, with the brightest pros
poets and in the happiest frame of mini,
expecting to embark in the drug bust.
ness In Newport News on his own &C
count, he having for more than three years
been the popular prescription clerk for
Mr.. M. f. Seay, at No. 1874 South Pine
street.
His body was found yesterday about
o'clock. and it was thought in Newport
News that he had committed suicide,
but there being absolutely no reason for
any such action on the part of the unfor.
tunate young man, this theory was soon
exploded, and an inquest being held over
the remains, the coroner's jury returned
verdict of death from accidental poison
ing.
The following special was received last
night from the Dispatches correspondent
at Newport News:
Mr. Il. l.. Hoffman, druggist was
found dead in the wareroom of his store
here this afternoon at l o'clock. Mr..
Hoffman came here week ago with the
intention of engaging in the drug bust
ness, and he rented IL store room on Wash
ington avenue. He had purchased his
stock and was preparing to commence
business in day or so. He was last seen
alive about 10 o'clock Tuesday night,
when messenger boy handed him IL tel.
egram from Richmond, which was signed
Davies, presumably his brother. in law,
as the message read:
Liz anxious to know how YOU are
No letter, as expected
HE answered the dispatch by saving
he was well, and that he had written to
his wife on May 31st. Wednesday two
business kilograms were received for Mr.
Hoffman from n Richmond firm, regard
ing some notes, and the messenger boy
went to his place OF business several
times. but eachstime he found the door
closed.
About noon to-day he went to the
store again, and fou;id the door locked
He then remarked that he believed the
man was dead. This excited interest in
the locality, and an investigation was
made, gentleman effecting an entrance
to the store through back window. He
was startled when he discovered Mr.
Hoffman lying on, an improvised cot,
dead, his right hand clutching an S-ounce
On small table was an empty vinl and a
medicine glass hale full of water. De-
ceased was dressed in blue suit of
clothes. There is division of opinion
as to whether it was a case of suicide or
the result of an accident, but those who
have inquired into the facts believe it is
the latter.
Hoffman was formerly engaged in the
drug business in Roanoke, Va, and sew
eral years ago his partner Mr.. Coffman,
was accidentally drowned.
Nothing is known of Hoffman's finan-
cial condition except that he had money
in the bank here, and seemed to be in
good spirits He regarded the outlook
here as being very encouraging.
ga letter was found in his coat pocket
from his wife. 1t was of a recent late
and affe ctionate in character. No cause
las been assigned for the oeed.''
Later the following telegram was re.
ceived:
Coroner b. r. Gary .held an inquest
over the body at O'Clock this evening,
and after bearing the testimony the jury
rendered verdict that the deceased came
to his death by accidental poisoning by
chloroform. Mr.. Dave Davies, of Rich.
mond, brother-in-law of Mr.. Hoffman,
arrived here this evening and testified
that tsere was no reason for suicide, rs
the family relations were pleasant and
deceased was not financially embarrassed.
The remains will be taken to Richmond
this morning for interment."
Mr.. Hoffman was a native of Bedford
City, where his mother and several
brothers now live, and WIS man of ster-
ling qualities and high character. He
on the 10Th last October to Miss
Lizzie Davies, the daughter of Mr.. w. e.
Davies, of No. 227 South Belvidere street,
and had lived happily and contentedly
with her up to the time Of his departure
Tor Newport News last week.
He decided to embark in business there,
and left his wife here with the under
standing that che was to follow him as
soon as he could secure suitable quarters
for her., She received letter from him
on Friday, a telegram on Saturday. and
a postal card on Wednesday, bearing date
of June LIST (Tuesday).
All of these messages were bright and
cheerful, and Mrs. Hoffman had deter.
mined to go down on the excursion yes
terday morning to spend the day with
him. For some reason, though, her plans
and she remained at home,
only to receive the telegram announcing
her husbands death, which completely
Frustrated her.
The remains will arrive here this morn
ing, and the funeral will take place some
time tomorrow from the First Presbyte-
Tian Church. The interment will be in
Hollywood.
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