The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-06
WITH SUICIDAL intent
Shannon Took Poison, the Nature
of Which Is Unknown.
DOCTORS COULDN'T LEARN
That He Intended to Make Way With
Himself Is Clear From a Note to
His Mother - The Coroner's
Jury Finds Accordingly.

Coroner Julien and a jury held an
inquest yesterday on the death of J. H.
Shannon, the young man who died Sat
urday from causes indicating suicide,
at Mrs. Evans lodging house.
Drs. Donald, Campbell and Sheeran,
who We're summoned to the dying
mans bedside, testified. DR.. Campbell
said that he arrived at the house prob
ably eight or 10 minutes after the drug
had been swallowed, judging by the
condition of the man. He found him
in a state of collapse and after wash
ing out the patients stomach he dis
covered no known poison or smell of
Intoxicating liquors; still, the poison
might have been there and not dis
cernible. He was satisfied that death
was caused by poisoning. DR.. Campbell
had to leave the patient in order to re-
spond to another urgent call and Dr.
Sheeran was sent for. He testified that
there We're indications of narcotic pois-
oning, with the appearance of choral;
Vet, the witness suggested that this
theory did not conform to the state
ment that the man was apparently
cheerful up to the time he fell from his
seat TO the floor, for choral produces
stupor or prolonged drowsiness.
Mrs. Evans, the landlady, testified
that Shannon had roomed at her house
for several months and was regarded
as one of the family. He was of
cheerful disposition and had never in
her presence expressed a desire to die.
For two weeks previous to his death
he had been drinking, and appeared at
times very respondent, particularly
when in possession of his Senses when
he would reflect upon his actions. The
day before he died he ''swore off"
drinking. That evening he told witness
that he had to go down town, and as
sured her that he would not take a
drink, and that he felt all right
Witness suggested that Miss Campbell,
a ledger, and a friend of the family
and Mr.. Shannon, accompany him, and
he courteously and readily assented,
saying that they would take a stroll
and lunch at the cafe. When they re-
turned Shannon knocked on Mrs.
Evans door and said: See, we came
back all right"
The next morning, Saturday. the day
of his death, he complained of feeling
badly and declined to eat any break
fast. About 20 minutes after II o'clock
Miss Campbell went to Mrs. Evans
room and said that something was
wrong with shannon, as he had just
fallen off the chair. About five minutes
later DR.. Campbell arrived.
Miss Campbell was the next witness.
She had known Shannon for several
months and had always regarded him
as a fine man, a friend of the family
and an honorable man. The witness
said that on the evening before she &C
companied him down town, where they
ate a lunch in a cafe and then walked
several blocks, as he expressed de-
sire to move about in the fresh air He
bade her good night when they reached
the house and ne went to his room APP
parently in good spirits. The next
morning he said that he did not feel
we'll and preferred to stay in his room
later than usual. During Saturday
forenoon he went to Miss Campbells
room and said several times that he
was disguised with himself to think
that he had been so weak as to drink to
excess. He said once: Il am disguised
with myself and ought to blow my
brains out" Witness also noticed that
he devoted much time to picking up his
effects and putting them away as If
preparing to move. Witness asked him
if he was going down town and he re-
piled: Further than that" He asked
her for a glass and she gave it to him.
He went into the bath room and re-
turned with the glass. A few minutes
later he went to witness room. Miss
Campbell asked him to go to his room
and get her some writing paper. He
said he would. AS soon as he said that
he fell to the floor and Miss Campbell
ran to Mrs. Evans with the eXClama-
ton that something was wrong with
Mr.. Shannon. Witness said that aside
from the remark that he was disguised
with himself and ought to blow his
brains out, she had never heard him in
innate suicide. She paid no attention