The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-03
new CURE FOR ALCOHOL
His Passion for Drink Was Too
Strong for Him.
SUICIDE A SURE REMEDY
Shannon Couldn't Conquer His Appetite
Disguised With Himself and Tired
OF Life He Took a Dose
of Poison.

d
keeper who was employed at the Bee
Hive store in West Granite street, lies
cold in death at the morgue the victim
of an appetite for strong drink, which.
when he yielded to temptation and took
the first drink, was uncomfortable, Dis
guested with himself because of it. he
swallowed dose of poison, either dur
ing Friday night or sometime yesterday
morning, and the best of medical atten-
ton could not save him He died early
yesterday afternoon at his room at the
mouse of Mrs. Edward Evans, corner of
Granite and Idaho streets.
shannon came to Butte from Rock
Springs, where he was formerly city
clerk, about year ago. He did odd
JOBS at bookkeeping till about seven
months ago, when he secured perma-
nent employment as bookkeeper for III.
X. Bartlett of the Bee Hive. As a rule
ne was very steady and, being an ex-
cellent hand at his business, was well
liked, but occasionally he would yield
to temptation and would then go to
pieces. Some time ago he went on
protracted spree and Mr.. Bartlett
thought he would be compelled to dis
charge him, but he Strengthened up
and promised not to get off again, and
Mr.. Bartlett having much sympathy for
him, reinstated him.
Several days ago he fell again and
for two or three days continued drink
ing heavily. He apologized to Mr.. Bart
lett and begged that the falling be over
looked, and as he appeared to be
Strengthening up Mr.. Bartlett said it
would be all right if he would try to
keep his promise to abstain in future.
He was to go to work again yesterday
and remained at home Friday evening
to get balanced up. He was a good
fellow and had become like a member
of Mrs. Evans family He spent the
evening with them and seemed to pe
cheerful. About 80 he went to bed
About o'clock yesterday morning Mrs
Evans heard him in the bath room. AS
he kept his trunk there, she thought
he was getting some things out and
paid no attention. Later he came down
to breakfast, but ate nothing but a raw
tomato Mrs. Evans bought from huck-
ster who came along about that time.
He went back to his room and evil
IDENTIFY did not feel well, as he did not
come down again.
Between II and IL o'clock Mrs. Evans
daughter went upstairs. His door was
open and she spoke to him. He seemed
very Respondent and said he wished he
was dead; that if he had a gun he be-
Evans told him he should not say such
things and tried to cheer him up. Final
ly he said he believed he would go away
and Miss Evans said to him that IL
he was going down town she would like
him to send a telephone message for
her. His reply was, II am going fur
Their than that" Miss Evans did not
think the remark meant anything and
thought nothing of it till afterward.
Miss Evans went to her room and
shortly Shannon came in and borrowed
a glass and went back to his room. 1t
was not long afterward before Miss
Evans heard groans coming from Shan
mons room and called her mother. They
went in and found him lying on his bed.
He was evidently very sick and, sur
missing the truth, messengers were has
tened for physicians. DIR. Campbell was
the first to respond and DR.. Sheeran
followed soon after. The physicians un-
derstood the case at once and worked
hard to save the sufferer, but their eff
forts were of no avail: he was too far
gone when they reached him. and he
died about ! o'clock in the afternoon.
The case was very peculiar one, for
while the doctors said there could be
no doubt it was a case of poisoning,
they were unable to decide from the
symptoms what kind of poison was
used. and there was no bottle about
the room or anything TO indicate what
he had taken. The doctors said there
was a possibility he had died from an
alcoholic fit, but they were confident
this was not the cause. In their opinion
he took some kind of slow poison dur
ing the night or early yesterday morn
ing.
An envelope found in the room would
seem convincing proof that it was
case of suicide. On the envelope was
written in a hand that did not appear
at all nervous the words:
Mother: I am very sorry, dear, but
goodbye. ART
The deceased has a mother living,
but as he was accustomed to call Mrs.
Evans mother. she thinks the note was
intended for her.
The deceased was about 80 years of
age and was a fine appearing young
man. He was single and has a mother
living in Canada. a brother who is
drug clerk at Helena, and another
brother who is druggist and until re-
Gently was in Butte. He is understood
to be now in Missoua.
Coroner Julien was notified and will
hold an inquest Monday.
--------<o-----