Evening star., 1897-01-21
HE INHALED GAS
Frank Il. G. White Found Dead in His
Bed.
SUICIDE DURING TIE NIGHT
Rubber Tube Used and the Result
Was Certain.
T H e D E A D NJ A N

When Mrs. Annie White received tele-
gram from hel sister George in New York
week ago, announcing the serious Illness
Of her mother, Mrs. Ann Fields, and hur-
ried to the bedside of her mother she did
not expect to return here a widow. But
such proved to be the case, for her hus-
band, Frank H. G. White committed sui
eide last night by taking Illuminating gas.
It was about II o'clock this morning when
his dead body discovered, and then the
police of the third precinct were called to
the house. Mr.. White and his wife, who
formerly lived in Georgetown. had occu-
pied a room in the house of Col. Rosen-
Grams, Nc. 7OS 10th street northwest, for
only about a month"; and as already stated
the wife had been called to New York
about a week ago. The husband was not
feeling well when she left, but SO far as
she knew there was nothing serious the
matter with him, and she had no reason to
believe that she would find him even in a
serious condition when she returned. But
the man was really i'll, although he did
not tell his wife SO. for he did not want
his condition to add to her mental suffer-
1ngs, which were already SO great. She
went away, and soon after she had gone he
found 1t necessary to go to bed. He had
a severe cold. and was threatened with an
attack of pneumonia. And suffering as he
did he did not send word to his sister, Mrs.
Henry p Waggaman, but remained alone
in his room. Most of the week he has been
in bed. having dressed and gone out only
twice since Saturday. He was out for a
short time yesterday. and when he re-
turned home he retired.
Last night some friends called and re-
mained in his room until nearly IL o'clock.
At midnight there was still light In his
room. but soon afterward the room was
in darkness and nothing more was heard
q iYna he fnl lon
Parker, the colored servant, not to bring
his breakfast to him early this morning,
evidently fearing she would find him before
life was extinct and he would not be per-
mitted to die. Ellen did as she was told,
and it was nearly II o'clock when she had
his breakfast prepared and was ready to
wait on him. Mrs. Rosencrans saw her
about this time and reminded her of the
fact that White had not been served.
I've got his breakfast on the waiter"
was Ellen's reply, and up the steps she
started.
Found the Body.
Just what was actually the matter Ellen
could hardly tell when she entered the
room. and she ran screaming to Mrs. Ros-
encrans and her daughter, who was visit
ing her mother, and they hurried her off
to the police station, leaving the gas flow
ing from the rubber tube into the mouth
OF the man, whose life had left him sew
eral hours before.
Say, mister" gasped Ellen, when she
reached the police station. Then she man
aged TO say that there was a dead man
and some gas in a room in Mrs. Rosen-
Grams house, and concluded by saying that
there was something the matter.
Yes" answered Ellen. II think he's
dead
The poor girl was so completely excited
ana frightened that she could hardly tell
What was really the matter, SO Lieut..
nan to the house to make an Investigation
When they arrived at the house they found
mrs. Roseacrans and her daughter very
much excited The CHASTITY find had made
them nervous, and as Mrs. Rosencrans suf-
1ers from heart disease. she had been
AFRAID Of the exertion which would have
Followed her ascending the steps, and had
remained in the parlor.
Reaching the front room on the third
moor. the smell of gas was almost had
enough to take their breaths but thew
rushed In the room cut of the flow of gas
and hoisted the windows.
Manner of Death.
The manner in which the unfortunate
man had ended his life made 1t evident thar
the act was committed after mature de-
hoeration, for he had used a gas tube taken
from small stove that had been used in
tubing made it appear that he had pnrl
chaseo II Tor the purpose of this use for
the people in the house did not remember
- rye EYER naving seen 1t in the room before
ms tube he bad attached to one of the
jets of the chandelier hanging rron the
middle OF the ceiling, and by means OF a
piece OF cord he had secured It so that #
Sas would drop directly over the foot of the
the bed and dressed in his bath robe he
retired. His position was such that he
could hold the end of the tube in bis
mouth without fear Of its dropping, and
haawang ta VIM lne cover over him he lay there to
De claimed by death. Soon after the police
reached the house they summoned two
physicians, who could only say that he
was dead, and the temperature Of his BODY
hours.
Ihere was no letter found in the room.
Mr.. Waggaman. the dead mans brother
ln-law, was sent for. and he made arrange
ments 1or taking care Of the body. and
sent a telegram to Mrs. White in New
YORK announcing to her the act of her hus-
band which had made her a widow
The Dead Man.
The deceased was a native of England.
ana was thirty-two years old. He left Eng
land when he was fifteen years old and
came to this country. During the past few
years Of his life he Travelled extensively,
and for some time he lived In Africa, where
ne was interested in mining operations, and
where he also owned an immense hennery.
IN which he had q great number of fncu-
bators Returning to New York, he met
Miss Annie Fields, and in April of last
year they were married. In New York. as
we'll as in this city, he dabbled in stocks.
When Coroner Hammett gives a certificate
Of death Undertaken Speare will prepare
the body for burial, and await the arrival
of Mrs. White from New York 1t is
thought that the body will be taken to
New York for burial.
Longevity Allowances.