The times., 1899-08-13

Mary Elizabeth, better known as Elsie
Hasiam. a comely trained nurse. died at
the Emergency Hospital al n:45 o'clock
yesterday morning from the effects OF in
halipg Illuminating gas with suicidal in
tent in her room at the heHls Of Mrs. Julia
Hines. at SIG Thirteenth Street northwest
1t thought that the woman was in
state OF mental alteration and that domes-
tic troubles were responsible for the act
The woman was discovered in her room
about 10 o'clock and taken at once to the
hospital. where every effort was made TO
save her life. A brother took charge OF her
effects. The remains were removd from
the hospital to the morgue. where Acting
Coroner Glazebrook viewed them. He is
sued a certificate of death by suicide and
gave permission to have the body prepared
for burial The funeral arrangements have
not been completed.
From what can be learned. the suicide OF
Miss Haslam had been contemplated for
some time The young woman on more
than one occasion threatened TO take her
life The fact that she left a letter ad-
dressed 70 her mother would strengthen
the theory, although the contents OF the
letter could not be learned At the house
where she boarded Miss HaslaIn was scarce
ly known. and even Mrs. Hines, the land
lady. seldom saw her. She came 10 the
house about three weeks ago, and when
asked for a reference said that DR.. Henry
ID Fry OF Il33 Fourteenth Street north
west would vouch for her. She complained
Of not feeling well, and stated that she
had been in poor health. Her mother VS.
ited her occasionally, and il is said that
She visits appeared 10 cheer the young
wa nothing about
Miss Haslam which would attract unusual
attention and, IN fact, as she was exclusive
little or nc attention was paid ner-
Preparations for Death.
Miss Haslam was out until 1870 O'Clock
Friday night. When she returned she
questioned Mrs. Hines as 10 where she
could get some water. as she was not
familiar with the house and the bath
room was undergoing repairs. Mrs Hines
noticed nothing unusual about her boarder.
About 10 O'Clock yesterday morning she
detected the odor. Of gas in the house
An Investigation showed that the gas was
soming from the room occupied by Miss
Haslam, which is located in the rear OF
he first floor. Mrs. Hines aroused male
boarder and questioned him as to what
course she was TO pursue and he advised
sending for the police, as did some paper
hangers who were at work in the house.
Acting on the suggestion. Mrs. Hines sent
Il servant for q policeman with the result
that Policeman Sanford, who was found
CT the corner Of Thirteenth and II Streets,
responded.
Sanford found the door OF Miss Haslam' s
room locked and the keyhole plugged. The
door could not be opened, and Sanford
forced it Upon entering he found Miss
liasiam dressed In a nirht robe lying on
the bed. The gas was escaping from four
tets Of the chandelier In the room while
the hfth JET was connected with a rubber
tube. one end Of which was resting near
the bed of the unconscious woman. Life
was not yet extinct and in the hope that
the woman might be resuscitated Mrs.
Hines applied what restoratives were al
hand. After opening all the windows in
the room TO allow a free access of air
Policeman Sanford summoned the anbu-
lance by telephone and sent the young
woman TO the hospital, whore the physi-
clans worked on her until the time OF her
death. nearly two hours later.
Miss Haslam graduated from the
Columbia Hospital training school for
nurses about nine years ago. She was well
known in her profession. and particularly
in a certain class ok cases in which she
was associated with q well-known drug
gist- II is alleged that the druggist was
responsible IN a great measure for heI
unhappy existence. The father Of the
young woman is said TO be q painter in
Georgetown. and her mother lives al lllC
Maryland Avenue. with another daughter