Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-19

Mrs. Clark and the colored servant SlI-
san, We're at home when he reached the
house To Mrs. Clark he was the same as
member of the family, and when she
met him in the hallway she said to him:
Mr. Cronin, I'll pour you out a cup OF
"All right" he answ cred, and entered his
room.
Heard the Report of the WenDOn.
Mrs. Clark walked to the dining room
and was pouring out his coffee when she
heard the report of the weapon, which
IVES followed by the falling of the BODY to
the floor. Life was virtually extinct when
the body reached the floor. for the big
bullet had gone almost entirely through
the head.
Il believe Mr.. Cronin has killed himself
susan Mrs. Clark remarked to the COL
ored domestic, and she sent the latter out
TO summon assistance, for there were no
men In the house at the time.
Mr.. F. w. Suman. who lives in the adj
joining house, and Mr.. Tapp who was
working with him at the time hurried into
Mr.. Clark's house and found the dead
body OF the ex-fire chief. On one bed IN
the room number of satche,s had been
placed, while an open trunk showed from
where the revolver had been taken The
window and door had been left open.
Head Struck the Stove.
The Unfortunate man had evidently stood
the shot, and in falling his head struck
against the top of the stove in the room
When found his head rested on the mat
beneath the stove and the weapon dropped
frcm his hand on his coat beside his body.
There was a bullet wound just back Of
the right ear. while on the opposite side of
the head was evidence of the presence of
the bullet.
Coroner Carr arrived at the house soon
al
the statements of persons in the house and
decided that an inquest was unnecessary.
Mind Unbalanced.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clark, with whom the un-
fortunate man mad boarded for about six
months, were very much affected by his
death. During the time he resided in
their house he was kind and consid-
crate and had endeared himself to them
1t was only few days ago that he re-
marked to one of them that he had prayed
to God to take him while he felt prepared
to go. He also seemed to realize his con-
dftion. for he said he feared that he might
had been in the habit of taking early
morning walks each day, and he spent
most Of his time walking. Since the meet
ing OF Congress he had taken an interest
IN ths congressional proceedings and spent
considerable time in the House and Senate
galleries.
When Coroner Carr reached the house
he searched the body. thinking he might
possibly find letter which would throw
some light on the deed. but no letter was
found The only writing bearing on the
affair was found in a note book in the dead
mans vest pocket, as follows:
TO me on the 9Th day Of this month.
"Oh, my God, I'm going crazy"
Mr.. Patrick Cronin, brother of the de-
ceased. who is employed at the bureau of
engraving and printing. was sent for. He
was not very much surprised at what his
brother had done, for he realized that his
condition had been serious.
Undertaken Wright was sent for to take
charge of the body and make preparations
for the funeral.
Detective Pays Him Tribute.
Detective Weldon. who served in the fire
department when the deceased was chief.
was at police headquarters when the mes
sage announcing his death was received.
"A good fireman has gone," he remarked,
land he made an excellent chief. 1t was
Martin Cronin who started the department
on the road to what 1t now is.
Chief Cronin," he added was an ALL
round fireman. a good disciplinarian, and
he never lost fireman while he was in
charge of the department. He was always
careful with his men and never permitted
them to go where their lives would be en-
dangered. No man ever took more pride
In department intrusted to his care. He
visited the houses at all hours of the night
to see that the firemen were attending
strictly to duty, and 1t was because Of this
that some Of those who were willing to
shirk their duty did not like him. At one
time while he was chief he got in a contro-
versy with Chief Shaw of the London fire
department, and he got far the better
Of it,.
Cronin's Career.
Mr.. Cronin was born in South Washing
ton about fifty-four or fifty-five years ago
and received his education here. He was
one of the best liked Of the older officials
here. He served an apprenticeship as
machinist at the Washington navy yard,
and almost from boyhood evinced a deep
Interest In scientific matters, evidencing
that train OF mind during his career in the
District fire department. Indeed, he was
known as a scientific fire fighter, and 1t
was his proudest contention that he never
lost a man while he was at the head Of the
department
He FIRST entered the department as en-
gineer OF engine company No. In 1859.
having been appointed as such by Mayor
Bowen. He remained In that company for
about year. when Mr.. Bowen appointed