Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-11
MYSTERIES OVER TRAGEDY
Member Of Theatrical Troupe Makes Scene
at the Morgue.
Views Dead Body of Rejected Lover
and II Overcome-James
Canter's Suicide.

There was a sad scene enacted at the
n:orGue yesterday afternoon, when Coroner
Carr arrived to examine the body of James
Canter, the young man who committed sui
eide early Saturday morning, at boarding
house kept by Mrs. Katie Hough, No. 90
LIST street northwest. The body looked per-
fectly natural, and the large, pathetic blue
eyes of the deceased were wide OPEN His
features bore no evidence Of pain; on the
contrary there was an expression OF con-
tentment depicted thereon. The autopsy
had disclosed the cause Of DEATH poison Dy
ammonia, and when the stomach was OPEN
ed the fumes of the drug were so strong
as to drive the physician from the side
of the corpse.
After the coroner had given a certificate
OF death, a carriage drove up containing
the dead mans sweetheart. Evalyne, ana
her dancing partner. "Tyrene me 1or-
mer was sobbing violently when she mace
known her desire to see the body. Inc
keeper of the morgue finally consented ana
the door was thrown open. AS soon as
she saw the outlines of the Dody she pc
came hysterical, but insisted upon seeing
the dead mans face. She was taken into
the room and the sheet thrown aside. she
gazed moment and then fell screaming
into the arms of the attendant. Inc lace
seemed to have some peculiar fascination
for her. because she looked again ana
again, each time becoming hystericaL Fin
ally she had to be lead away. She became
so hysterical that 1t was necessary TO take
her to the matron'S room and put ner 10
bed.
Many Dfsappointmcnts.
James Canter, whose relatives live IN
New York, has had, it Is alleged, many dis
appointments the most severe one of them
all being the prospect of losing the girl
whom he loved. His sweetheart was
young woman known as "Evalyne." who
came here last week with the Rentz-Sant-
ley troupe and performed at kernan's. He
had her picture in his watch and at his
boarding house he had talked much OF her
with his landlady.
More than a year ago, it Is alleged. Can
ter fell in love with the actress. and had
shown her every attention since the first
meeting. He was about thirty years oio'
and was in the jewelry business IN new
York city. while his family lived IN Brook-
lyn at No. "a Fulton avenue. He knew
that "Evalyne'' was booked for an engage
ment here last week, and came on two
weeks ago and stopped at Mrs. Hough.s
To the actress he said he had come seek
ing a government position. but If he had
really sought employment he had probably
been disappointed.
Wednesday night he was at the theater.
as usual to see that "Evalyne" had COM
pany home but a previous engagement she
had made deprived him of the pleasure of
her company.
Becomes Dependent.
Canter pretended at first he did not mind
this treatment Of him, but afterward he
seemed to be respondent. He saw the
actress later and then they parted.
Friday night. about 10 o'clock, he went
to one of the theaters, and the same night
he saw the fair "Evalyne" and told her he
intended to return home the next morning.
She thought he had really gone. and when
informed of the suicide she would not be-
lieve it, and yesterday went to the morgue,
as stated. and viewed the body.
The actress gave the address of the dead
mans relatives and later in the day she
left with other members of the company.
Inspector Mattingly telegraphed to New
York the particulars of Canter's death, and
last night an answer was received mat
Louis Canter, brother Of the deceased,
would come here today and claim the body.
1t is stated that one brother of the de-
ceased is a state senator in New York.