The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-02

Passengers on Roanoke Tell Full
story of c. 4. Ga in'a suicide.

Full particulars of the tragic death Of
Clarence A. Clafiin. the young merchant
who committed suicide at Nome City. Oc-
toher Il were brought down by passengers
aboard the steamer Roanoke yesterday
morning. Claflin's body was shipped 20
San Francisco from which city oriet
Geographic dispatch, giving the news OF
his death. was received and printed III the
Post-Intelllgencer several days ago. when
the steamer Bertha, having the body
aboard, arrived from Cape Nome.
Despondsnt from business worries. sick
and tired of life in general, Ciafiin blew
out his brains. Although a resident or out
few months. Mr. ClAfiin had many warm
friends in the thriving camp. large NAM
Der Of whom attended the Masonic funeral
services held previous 10 taking ths re-
mains aboard the Bertha fer shipment: \.
r, Ciaflin. brother Of the deceased and
junier member Of the tirrn. was prostrat i
upon learning the news. and when the
Roanoke left Nome was confined to his
bed by an attack of typhoid fever, with lit
tie hope of recovery
Some premonitton OF fate seems TO have
come TO the brothers. for in the stock 81
goods taken by them to Alaska were two
metallic caskets. in one Of which the body
Of the elder now reposes. and possibly 1e-
fore this the second contains the remains
Of the younger.
The suicide occurred in the room of the
younger brother. over the Clafiin store. in
the room We're A. +. Claf3in. ". +. Rus
sell. G X. Russell and Or. Kelsey. Some
one Of the party pointed 70 the steamer
Cleveland. which was just coming in and
al left the room and went downstairs ex
cept Clarence. They had reached the low
er noor. and were looking OUT OF the WIN
dow. when a shot was heard upstairs, fol-
lowed BY the noise OK a falling body.
Rushing upstairs the body was found ly
ing face downward There was bullet
hole in The right temple, from which blood
was slowly tricklins and from under the
body protruded a smoking 32-caliber Smith
& Wesson revolver Dr. Kelsey made Il
hasty examination. but even rs he IA
Sod es Coroner
took charge Of the body and conducted an
inquest. the first held In Nome City. the
Jury returning a verdict In accordance win
the above facts.
Mr. Claain was IS vars old. and leaves 4
widow and children in Omaha, He was
prominently identified with Masonic work.
having been a member in good standing ri
the Knights Templar ard Mystic Shrine.
For several years he WAS a sufferer from
minor ailments. bat withal was an affa1ie.
entertaining companion. Upon the death
Of his father In Boston several years ago.
he ana hi. brother inherited A large for
tGne. A large portion Of which they soon
spent
During the summer of 1898 the Younger
brother made trip 10 Dawson over the
pass and went out down the Yukon by
way Of s.. Michael He investigated The
country thoroughly. and upon his return 10
Seattle plans foY the building Of model
river steamer were drawn. The handsome
stern wheeler Quickstep. bu:lt at Ballard.
Wash. being the result Tn. fine schooner
Nellie J Colman vas also acquired. and
early this season both made the trip 10 St
Michael. the steamer IN tow % the Tux
Mystic II was first intended 70 trade On
the Yukon. MT when the -'Ctf~S Of ,'apa
Nome became known = change was made
IN the plans AMI ;he Qujcksjep taken 10
the American Eidor1fo. She stea med in
over the bar Of Snake river and anchored
just tns1. 4 }ot was purchased in ne
heart Of the clty and r large buillAg
erected. TIE stock 90 goods on the quick
Sep and Colman were ine'a1l.I and the
firm ready f1r business Whtra was
brisk. nut not az sufficient volume 20 re-
coup the owners FOR the money rxpeu led
Causes for worry were numerous. ore in
particular being tire maintenance Of the
large crew Of the Qu!rkst"r an of whom
were under contract Tne-a troubles to-
rether with sickness were more than Ga
fir could stand. ana he put ara end u all
with bullet.