The times., 1898-11-18
EATS, BUT CANNOT WORK
Friends and Relatives Turn
Against Reuben Poole.
SWEARS TO END HIS LIFE
Interrupted in an Attempt to Com-
nit suicide-Sent to the Poor Asy-
lum HOspitn1-LOOks Like a
Healthy Man and Will BE Turned
Out Today-His In n Strange Cnse.

Some time during the morning hours OF
today Reuben b. Poole, weak and friend
less. fifty-six years old. will. with the
use of a cane, totter down the steps OF
the Washington Asylum Hospital to face
what to him is cold. dreary and unfeel-
ing world. According to his own state
ment he will then have but one course to
pursue without an alternative. He says
that he will kill himself.
Poole's case Is a sad one. 1t was hrst
called to the attention of the police one
week ago today. when the man was found
at the edge of the bathing beach. in the
rear of the Washington monument. ready
to make away with himself. He was
taken in charge by the police of the First
Precinct, and committed to the poor hous,
hospital, his condition being such as to
require medical attention. He has been
at the hospital since then under medical
care, and the doctors find that he no
longer needs their services. He Is not
suffering from any malady. but is simply
a physical wreck Medicine can do moth
ing more for him, and he must make way
for some one whose condition requires
medical care.
When seen at the hospital last night
the man presented picture of abject des-
pair He did not know that today would
end his stay at the institution until in
formed by a reporter.
My God" he said. ''can it be true?
i have not place to go to; not friend
to turn to- All. yes l have one friend
and one place of refuge. i will find both
in death. l will kill myself rather than
continue with my sufferings and misery.
l wish they had let me do 1t when l want
ed to. 1t is Gods, will and l know He
will forgive me for my act" Here the old
man broke down completely and sobbed
like a child.
II have been a hard working man all
my life,'' he said, until two years ago,
when / became a physical wreck. As you
see, / can scarcely walk now. 1t is with
great difficulty that / rise from a sitting
position. This is due TO an attack of the
grip, which / suffered in 1855 That sick
ness took away all my strength until
gradually lapsed into such helpless con-
dition that my wife had to dress and un-
dress me as one would a child. | stagger-
ed to work, although l was unequal TO II.
Finally / broke down completely. My
appetite remained fairly good. although
had always been good to me. turned
against me. and said that If l was able
to eat l was certainly able TO work.
I'VE lived-she. my son, and lat No.
AZ o Street northwest. She still resides
there and conducts small boarding
house. John was recently married, and
lives with his wife's parents. in Fifth
Street.
He would help me If he were able. but
he has enough to do to look out for his
own family He offered to take me to his
home when he discovered me Friday. but
refused to go. as | was afraid ! would
be too much of burden upon him.
Friday morning my wife called me
tramp and turned me away from my
home | had no place to go and wandered
down Seventh Street. | was met by DIR.
j. H Mothershead, who wanted to know
what I was doing so far from home. /
told him I had no home and was going
to kill myself. He left me and went to
the place where my son is employed and
informed him of my intention. He over
took me in the Smithsonian grounds and
tried to dissuade me from my purpose.
/ told him II was no use.
when reached the bathing beach and
was about to throw myself into the water
! l was restrained by my son and my
cousin, Charles Brown, who had followed
me to the place. They took me TO The
| police station on Twelfth Street and there
! asked that / be committed to the hos
| pital
Il told the doctor at the station that
| they would not receive me at any hos
/ pital, as 1 was apparently well man.
/ stated. however, that l was helpless and
needed some one to take care of me.
| They sent me here and you say / am to
! be turned out In the morning
Il have two first cousins here. one a
commission dealer and another in the
| paint business. i cannot go to them, as
they will only turn me away. They have
| never shown disposition 10 help me
Do you wonder, then, that | would prefer
| death?"