The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-30
THINKS 1T WAS SUICIDE
CORONER INVESTIGATES THE DEATH
OF b. p. GATES At CITY HOSPITAL.
b. ueves the Unfortunate Man Took
Morphine-Gates Carried $4,000
of Life Insurance.

B. p. Gates, of Chicago, died yesterday
afternoon at the City Hospital He came
here from Danville. H., on July 20 and reg
istered at the Bates House, claiming to be
in the employ of the New York Life lnsur-
ance Company. although he was unknown
in the local office as an agent. He was for
merly in the employ Of soda fountain
manufacturer, and in that capacity had fire.
quently stopped at the Bates. He was az
the hotel In January last. On Thursday the
hotel management presented bill for
weeks accommodation and Gates said he
did not then have the money TO pay. He
was considered good, however, and upon
his statement that he expected money soon,
was allowed to remain. Friday night on re-
firing he left call for 7 o'clock. Yesterday
morning the call boy was unable to awaken
him and reported the matter to the Office.
Mr.. Cunningham went to the room with
the boy and the latter looked over the
transom and heard Gates breathing heavily.
He crawled through the transom into the
room and unlocked the door. Mr.. Cunning
ham then tried to awaken Gates, but could
not. He called DR.. Marker, who succeeded
in arousng him. Gates told the
doctor that he had taken some
bromide, which he had purchased in
Lafayette. The doctor left and Gates
again lapsed into a deep sleep from which
he was the second time awakened with diff
Guilty. DR.. Marker was recalled and it was
decided to send Gates to the City Hospital.
With the assistance Of two men he walked
to the conveyance. The hospital physicians
worked with him but their efforts were I'M
svailing and he died about o'clock. He
was unconscious most of the time and told
nothing of himself TO the doctors in answer
questions. coroner.
called, found on his person a letter to his
wife, written on July p. and addressed, to
place for a visit. In the letter he said he
was experiencing considerable difficulty in
securing position, but had been promised
though he would have to wait about two
months. He said in view Of this he would
have f,o look d for hcnsa else Sc the S se
York Life Insurance Company addressed
to Gates at Danville, Ill. was found among
to cease his labors at once. and it was in
ferred that Ii was on account Of some
trouble with the company.
Albert j. Wheeler, of this city, assistant
superintendent of the Prudential Insurance
Company, knew Gates and said that he for
merly earned about 5000 year selling soda
several months ' ago. s" Wheeler thought he
might not have been making as much solic-
iting life insurance and possibly might have
become discouraged on account of the re-
duced circumstances and committed suicide.
1t is understood here that Gates lived with
his wife at the Windemere Hotel in Chi
cago. message from the hotel said that
inquiries should be addressed to his wife at
Stowe, VT.
1t was not determined last night what had
caused his death, but it is believed by the
physicians that Gates committed suicide be-
cause of inability to secure a good paying
job at the time his money was exhausted.
No money was found on HIS person
Coroner Nash thinks Gates committed sui
eide by taking morphine and last night tel
egraphed to Gates's brother at Stowe, VT.
Gates carried a policy Of 5000 insurance on
his life and unless there is some dispute
as to the payment of the insurance money
no autopsy will be made.