Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-24
HIS SUDDEN DEATH
DR.. Thomas B. Bailey Found in a
Dying Condition This Morning,
AN OVERDOSE OF COCAINE
Coroner Gives a Certificate Of
Accidental Death.
FRIENDS GREATLY SHOCKED

DR.. Thomas B. Bailey, passed assistant
surgeon, U. S. N, died suddenly in his
room at the Albany, corner of 18th and II
streets northwest, about noon today. A
dose of cocaine, self-injected, caused thu
Doctors death, and Coroner Carr, who
made an investigation of the case this af-
ternoon, decided that an overdose had been
taken accidentally. DR.. Bailey was thirty
four years Of age, and had recently return
ed from Asia, where he went on the Ma
chias in the naval service. He was
Washingtonian, his father being the late
w. H. Bailey and his mother, Mrs. Eileen
Bailey, who lives at 1873 street northeast.
Mr.. Lorenzo Bailey, a member Of the local
bar, is a brother of the deceased. This
morning about o'clock one of the colored
boys in the apartment house awakened the
doctor, and about two hours later cham
berinaid went to clean his room
Finding the door locked on the inside
something wrong was suspected, and an
entrance to the room was effected. When
the colored boy succeeded in getting in the
room he found the doctor, partly dressed,
seated in the chair at his desk. He was
unconscious. The door was opened and
physicians were sent for. DR.. Russell was
first to respond and later DIR. Rixey Of the
navy was called. 1t was evident to the
uoCtofS tHdl the SICK man was TOO far gone,
but they did their best for him. A strong
heart stimulant was administered, but their
efforts were rewarded only in keeping the
dying man alive about two hours, for, as
already stated, he died about noon. The
dead man was well known in army and
navy circles, in which he was always popu-
lar, and he leaves many friends to mourn
his loss.
1t is said that letter was left by the de-
ceased, saying he was dying from heart
disease.
Shock to Relatives.
The aged mother Of DR.. Bailey did not
learn of his sudden death until after .
o'clock this afternoon. She was greatly
shocked at the sad occurrence. Mrs. Colon
ma, a sister of DIR. Bailey, told a Star re-
porter that her brother had recently re-
ceived two severe falls from a bicycle, in
each OF which he was injured about the
head. Beside this, he was much worried
on account of thu serious illness of her lit
tie daughter, and night before last rode 10
their home, 13S B street northeast from
the Albany, at such a rate of speed as to
cause him to be dripping with perspiratiCn
when he reached Mrs. Colonna's house.
Mrs. Colonna thought that the bicycle ac-
cidents and the case Of night before last
might have had something to do with his
death. There was no reason whatever, she
said, that he should commit suicide; that
he had everything to live for.
Friends Grieved.
The news of the suicide of DIR. Bailey
produced great shock among his friends
He had but a few weeks ago returned from
three years cruise around the world,
which ended at Philadelphia and was
promptly assigned to duty at the Washing
ton navy yard, where 1t was expected he
would remain for the ensuing three years.
DIR. Bailey was, 1t was stated, devoted to
ms profession. without care, companion
able and learned, with. in short. everything
at his command to make life desirable
In his boyhood he was page in the Sem
ate. His medical education was received
In Washington. and after his graduation the
President gave him an appointment in the
medical department of the navy, where he
continued until his tragic death
The associates of Past Assistant Sur
gee Thomas B. Bailey at the Navy De-
partment were very much shocked and
surprised to hear of his death this morn
lrg. He was bright and intelligent off,
Ger, and was not known to be suffering
from any physical ailment or domestic or
financial trouble. He was born at Ben
Ietsburg, Pa, December 20. 1864, ard APP
pointed assistant surgeon in the navy May
%. 1889. He reached his present grade OF
PAST assistant surgeon June 30, 1892. His
record was active and creditable. Soon
after entering the navy he served for some
time on the receiving ship Dale at the
washington navy yard and was afterward
successfully attached to tho receiving ship
edelphia, on the Pacific station; the train
Ing ship Minnesota, at New York; the Ma
val Home, Philadell hia; the gunboat Ma
cEias, on the North Atlantic station and
the training ships Richmond and Constel-
lation, at Newport.
About three years ago he was assigned
to DUTY on the gunboat Machias which had
been ordered to the Asiatic station and he
came home from that station last Decenl-
Der on the gunboat Yorktown. When the
yorktown was put out of commission at
San Francisco, December 8, 1897 he was
assigned to DUTY at the navy yard, Wash
ington, ID. G. He reported there December
y last. and served continuously on that
duty up to the time of his death. He was
unmarried. His mother lives at 1873 B
street northeast, and his brother, Lorenzo
0. Bailey, has office at 800 Az street
Two sisters also survive him. His death
swells the list Of vacancies in the naval
medical corps to nineteen.
As Cause.
The doctor had suffered from rheuma-
tism. and it is said he thought he had heart
trouble. When suffering pain he resorted
to the use of cocaine. His arm showed
that he had probably used the drug 4 num-
Der of times. Soon after the doctors death
his brother and sister called. They will
take charge of the body. Arrangements
| for the funeral have rot yet been made.
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