The semi-weekly messenger., 1898-08-30
DETERMINED TO DIE.
n Young Nan from Burgaw Commits
Suicide In Washtngton-TookL Lauda-
NUM- and AsphyNtaied Himself with

The Washington Post, Of Wednes-
day says:
George c. Taylor, a messenger in
the pension office, committed suicide
Monday night by taking dose OF
laudanum. He also plugged all the
keyholes and other air apertures OF
his room and turned on the gas at his
boarding place, 202 + street north
west. Taylor had been a boarder at
this address for two months He had
been i'll. but there was no cause known
to his acquaintance sufficient to ex-
plain his self-destruction EXCEPT the
determined fight made on his rctcn-
ton OF office by Congressman White
the colored member. EX-SeCretary OF
the Interior Hoke Smith secured for
Taylor position in the Pension Office
When the Cleveland administration
went out Of power Congressman
White, the only black member of con-
gress, is said to have made special
fight on Taylor and succeeded In hav-
ing him reduced 10 the place OF mes
senger. A further objectiop 10 Tay-
lOr's holding any office under the pre-
sent administration has been made by
the negro congressman, and this
threat TO his tenure OF office has no
doubt affected Taylor.
The dead messenger was also an
applicant for membership in the Dis
trict National Guard, but was dis
qualified on the physical examination.
He was a member of the Ordway
Rifles before the war with Spain was
declared. He accompanied the Dis
trict troops on their first march 20
soldiers home, but failed on two oc-
casions to pass the surgeons and this
fact greatly disheartened him His
companions at the pension Office state
that he has been somewhat low spirit
ed lately, but has not absented him
self from Office nor neglected his
work.
Late Monday night Mr. Taylor re-
turned TO his boarding house. and
when he failed to appear at breakfast
yesterday morning nothing was
thought of the matter. At noon the
colored woman who attends To the
rooms in the boarding house reported
that Mr.. Taylor's room was locked
and she detected the smell OF gas In
in the hall. The police were sent for
and Sergeant Byrnes and precinct De-
tective Horne responded. They fore
| ed the door of Taylors room and
| found him lying dead on his bed.
| Under the laudanum bottle was the
following note:
Tell Miss Clum Miss Staples, and
| all other friends | am grateful for
| their kindness TO me while in office.
/ hope Barnes and Brooks and several
others in authority will suffer for the
way they treated me. Don't let my
poor old father know anything. He
has trouble enough
''Mr. Brooks, mentioned In the note.
| is thought TO be Mr.. Walter Brooks.
| appointment clerk in the pension Of
| fee. while Mr. Barnes is the supertn.
| tendent of the building. The body
was cold and had evidently been life
less for some hours. IL was removed
to Lees undertaking establishment
and the police took charge OF the ef-
| fects. Last night police headquarters
telegraphed 10 Taylor's relatives al
Burgaw, -. c.. as did the clerks OF the
pension office. who raised slO0 TO pay
the expense OF sending the BODY
home. and DR. w. G. Murphy also
communicated with Taylor's parents.
The unfortunate young man men
toned above Is brother OF Mr.. w
z. Taylor, OF Wilmington. His re-
mains were brought to Buvgaw and
inferred on Thursday