Evening star., 1900-12-29
Slayer of Auditor Morris Succumbs
to Self Inflicted Wounds.
BURIAL At FORMER HOME PROBABLE
Complained at the Last That He
Was Choking to Death.
NOTICE SENT TO HIS FRIENDS

Samuel Mcdonald, the clerk in the
sixth auditors office for the Post Office
Department, who a week ago shot and
killed Frank H. Morris, auditor Of the
treasury for the War Department, In his
office in the Winder building, and who
afterward shot himself. d.ed at the Emer-
gency Hospital at o'clock this morning.
His last words were, My God. I'm choking
to death" He was conscious until about
five minutes before death claimed him.
Policeman N NJ. Stone OF the third pre-
cinct was the only person with him at the
time he passed away. The hospital doctors
said that death was the result of eXhaus-
ton following the severe strain under which
he had been for a week. which was made
worse by the lack of nourishment and the
refusal of the patient to assist the medical
effort that was made for him. From the
time Mcdonald reached the hospital until
the end came he insisted that he would not
recover, and while there was no violent
opposition on the part of the patient to the
medical treatment he frequently expressed
desire for death.
Coroner hewitt, who was notified OF Nc
Donalds death. called at the hospital early
this morning and said he wou d give a GER
tificate of death from self-nt1icted IN
jury, and at the same time directed that
an autopsy be held.
Acting Deputy Coroner Fisher perform
ed the autopsy about noon. He found moth
ing more than DR.. Vaughan found when
he operated for the severe Injury to the
liver. The operation by DIR. Vaughan. the
acting deputy coroner discovered, was q
successful one. although there was slight
evidence of peritonitis. Death. the doctor.
declared. resulted from exhaustion
Physicians Abandon Hope.
Although Mcdonald had lived many
days and there had been numerous changes
In his condition. 1t was not until about
o'clock last night that the physicians be-
came certain be would not recover. When
DR.. Sperro went to his room with another
member of the house staff at the hour men
toned 1t was found that the patients pulse
was extremely weak, and all night long
stmulants were administered Doctors and
nurses saw him from time to time during
the night and about o'clock this morning
there came a decided change for the worse
IN the patients condition AS early as
O'Clock last night the doctors had expressed
the belief that Mcdonald would not live un-
til tonight and certainly not until the dawn
of the new year, and their prediction WAS
verified.
After o'clock. at which time It was OBJ
served that the patients life was fast eb-
blng away, the doctors visited him several
times, the last call being paid about $50
o'clock. just ten minutes before his death.
He was then conscious and able to recog-
uIze the doctors. Soon after they left the
room Mcdonald was seized with a choking
and coughing spell. Believing he merely
wanted to expectorate the officer, playing
the part Of nurse. reached for a vessel. but
it was not needed, for the patient turned
his head and in short time he expired
and his last wish had been gratifed. A
nurse soon appeared in the room and then
Dr. Sperro called and found that life was
extinct.
The patient had been restless during the
artra night althOnoh he had hut little
say to the policeman. nurses and doctors.
friend named Dyer called at the hospital
last night and sent up his card Mcdonald
told the nurse that he wanted to see him
and he was admitted. Mr.. Dyer was the
last of the particular friends OF the unfor
tunate man 10 see him alive. Judge Will
tam Mcdonald Miller, a nephew of McDon-
aid, who came here from Steubenville Ohio
soon after the tragedy was enacted, re-
turned home yesterday, believing the fatal
termination was not imminent.
Friends of Dead Man Notified.
DR.. e. 8. KimbaIl, a friend of McDon-
AIDS, was an early caller at the hospital
this morning. He directed that the body
should be placed in the charge of Under
taker Speare after the conclusion of the
autopsy, and he then proceeded TO notify
relatives Of the death. William II. McDon-
aid. brother of the deceased, who is in the
west with his company. and Judge Miller
the nephew. who left here yesterday, were
telegraphed the Information early in the
day. Dr. KimbaH will mako the necessary
funeral arrangements as they may direct.
In all probability the body will be taken to
Ohio for burial. Scores of persons called
at the hospital during the day.
The death of Mcdonald is about the clos
Ing incident in the horrible tragedy which
brought sorrow to So many hearts a week
ago BY the death which occurred this
morning the necessity for the employment
a ha oh,-;a
of the tragedy will not have to be told In
court District Attorney Anderson and the
members of the police department will
cease their efforts to get the witnesses to-
sether and have the grand jury hear them
preparatory to taxing the case before the
Criminal Court
Evidently Premeditated.
That the killing of Auditor Morris was n
premeditated affair seems to be conceded
Tor. In addition to the closing of his ac-
counts with the department and the re-
marks he made the morning of the day
he did the shooting. Mcdonald made a
significant statement to friend about thres
months ago He had smarted for a num-
Der OF months under the belief that the
auditor had wronged him. and. although
ne mad been extremely popular with his
fellow-clerks, II Is stated that he had not
called on them al the Winder building
after his employment there ceased One
of the clerks met him about three months
ago and inquired of him:
Mac, why don't you come to See us?'
His response was:
Il am coming down some day, and when
L come there Will be a sensation"
He kept his word in this respect It is
related that Auditor Morris attended the
weekly prayer meeting of the New
YORK Avenue Presbyterian Church a few
nights before he was killed. a number Of
addresses were made. and when he was
called up he chose for his theme ''The
Uncertainty of Life" Friends of the mur-
dered man recalled this incident after his
life was taken away so suddenly. and some
cypress the belief that he had receiy ed
some form of warning of his impending
fate.
The body Ii now at Mr.. W. r. Speare.s un-
dertaking establishment ava ting a mes
sage from the brother of the deceased. AT
late hour this afternoon DIR. kimball had