Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-27
Robert G. Milburn, Druggist, Dies
Alone at Hotel.
BODY DISCOVERED THIS MORNING
Was Not Seen After Taking
Room Saturday Afternoon.
PREPARATIONS FOR BURIAL

Robert c. Milburn, thirty-four years old,
who has been in the drug business in diff
ferent parts of the city for the past twelve
gears. was found dead in the Thyscn
House, corner of eth and p streets north
west about $50 this morning. 1t is not
known when he died, but he registered at
the hotel about 2 o'clock Saturday after
noon, and was assigned to room "a. The
hotel people no more of him, and il
was not until this morning that the door
was broken open and his dead body was
found on the bed. Coroner Carr was sum-
nloned. and he gave a certificate of death
from kidney disease.
Bob Milburn, as he was so generally
known, was one of the most prominent
| druggists in this city several years ago.
He had a big store on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. between 18th and 18th streets, where.
it Is stated, he succeeded his uncle and
father respectively. Later he left this
location and opened small stores from time
to time in other parts of the city. 1t is
stated that he had considerable money left
him about ten years ago
During recent years he conducted a drug
store at Pennsylvania avenue and I'd street
northwest, and only last Friday he started
In business at the corner of 10th and o
streets northwest.
Recently Married.
Less than a month ago he was married
by the Rev. DR.. Domer, pastor of st. Paul's
Church, to Miss Elizabeth Hiltman, and
when he concluded to go into business at
10th and o streets he took rooms at the
house of Mr.. Robert Barr, No. 9O7 o
street, in order to be near his place of
business. =.
The store was opened Friday
1t Is stated that he had a fall in the
store subsequently and injured himself.
Friday night was spent at home with his
pride, but he did not return home the fol-
lowing night. His wife was very uneasy
about him, but said nothing about his nom
appearance. 1t was believed by his ac-
quaintances that he was sick, as a report
store. Even the clerks there We're in ig-
norance of the real facts. and they were
shocked this morning when they learned
of the fact that he was dead
AS already stated it was about 2 o'clock
Saturday afternoon when he called at the
hotel and registered. His appearance was
that of man who had been on a protract-
ed spree. and he informed Mr. Biedler. the
proprietor, that he had been drinking and
wanted to sober up.
The proprietor hesitated about letting
him have any liquor, but thinking a small
amount of whisky and a glass of ginger
ale might assist him, he consented to fur
nish these liquids to him in his room. He
was shown 10 room "a on the top floor of
VIC iioIci' anu tIe uilnk was sent 10 MIN.
Message Sent to Clerks.
The colored porter who ushered him to
his room was sent on errand to the
drug store by Mr. Milburn The message
to the clerks was that he would return to
the store when he shaved and washed up.
For this service he gave the porter -
cents.
Mr.. Biedler gave orders that the occupant
OIL room "a should be served nothing more
10 drink unless he consulted and as no
such request came the proprietor thought
no more of the guest. Sunday morning the
chambermaid went to the ROOM and find
ing the door locked made no further effort
To enter. This she repeated Monday and
yesterday.
The proprietor was told this morning for
the first time that the door had been locked
all this time, and then he started an in
vestigation.
Discovery of Body.
Through the transom the form of a man
was seen on the bed, and Policeman Frank
Smith Of the second precinct was sum
moned He broke in the door, and the hor-
rible odor which was encountered made it
apparent that the man was dead.
The unfortunate man had not even re-
moved his clothing. On the bureau was the
empty glass and bottle that had been fur
nished him Saturday soon after he entered
the room. The condition of the body salts
fled Coroner Carr that death occurred soon
after Mr.. Milburn went to the room. He
never moved after he threw himself across
the bed. After the coroner gave a certifi-
cate of death Undertaken Gawler removed
the body from the hotel and prepared 1t for
burial.