Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-28
TRIES REVOLVER AND GAS
Desperation of Newton ]. Holman Induces
Attempt at Suio ide.
Early Discovery Saves His Life-His
Final Messages to Friends
Will Recover.

A pistol bullet and the inhalation of a
large amount of Illuminating gas failed to
bring death to Newton j. Holman, a guest
of Cobbs Hotel. and an ex-sodier of the
United States army. The attempt at self
destruction made by Holman some
time during the early hours Of yesterday
morning. Dependency, disappointment in
an affair of the heart and the loss of his
right leg constituted the chain of circum-
stances leading up to the determination
reached by Holman to end what he deemed
an intolerable existence. At the Emer-
gency Hospital, whittier the would-be sui
eide was fastened after discovery, it was
stated this morning that he was entirely
out of danger.
Holman came to Washington about two
weeks ago. presumably to see about secur-
ing a pension on account of his disability
His injury. however. was not incurred in
the line of duty, and it was this inability
to get government help that added to the
mans dependency. Saturday night Hol-
man, who was not a drinking man. accord
ing to the testimony of those about the
hotel, ordered two bottles of beer and half
of pint of whisky sent to his room. Moth
ing more was seen of him until Policeman
Cochran broke in the door and discovered
him lying in bed with two pistol wounds
in his scalp. The attention of bellman
had been attracted by the odor of eScap
mans room. The bellman promptly sum-
moned the officer. and the two repaired at
once to Holman's apartment. This was
about $50 o'clock yesterday morning.
The Officers Discovery.
Entering the room Officer Cochran was
quickly in possession of all the facts sur
rounding the attempt at suicide. The win
dows were tightly closed and the gas was
turned on full force. A 32-caliber pistol
lay on the bed. Cochran fastened to the
side of the prone figure upon the bed. Life
was not extinct, and the Emergency Hos
pital ambulance was quickly called for At
the hospital it was seen the pistol wounds
were superficial and not DANGEROUS Hol.
man quickly recovered from the effects of
the gas. He had apparently been uncon-
SciOuS but q short time
1t transpired that the man sat up late
writing letters and did not make the des-
perate attempt upon his life until shortly
before daybreak. In the early dawn the
bellman made round of the halls to eX
trguish the lights. 1t was in this way his
attention was attracted to the escaping
gas. 1t was thus Holman was saved.
A number of affectionate letters signed,
with endearing terms, Ida were found
addressed to Holman. Two newly written
letters. sealed and addressed to Miss Ida
Goddard Gardiner, Mont, and Mr.. Will
liam H. Taylor, Fort Yellowstone, Wyo.,
Were also found. A note scrubbed by Hol
man contained the information that he
had no friends within 1000 miles, and none
need be looked for. He wrote also that he
came to Washington August 10 from Wy
Cming, and had served in the army for six
years. The man had also outlined
volver and bullet upon piece of paper.
Under the drawing We're these words: This
is what ended my troubles
The bullet holman fired did not pene-
trate the skull. 1t entered the scalp near
the top of the forehead and burroweu its
way beneath the skin to point behind
the right ear, where it emerged. Holman
is etained in the strong room at the Emer-
gency.
The condition of Holman has much i'm
proved that he will probably be discharged