The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-05
VICTIM SUPPOSED
TO BE Mr.. EAST
Believe This WeII-known Young Man
Committed 81 icide by Throwing
Himself Under a Train,

The young man who committed suicide
at Harpers Ferry, W. Va, Saturday last
by throwing himself before a, moving
freight train is supposed to be Mr.. j. Will
liams East, of this city.
The unfortunate young man arrived at
Harper's Ferry on one of the Saturday
night trains, presumably from Washing
ton, and stopped at the Potomac House.
He did not register, but went to a room.
\ little later ne went down to the office
and endeavOred to get some morphine,
saying he was nervous and restless. Being
told he could not procure any of the drug
at that hour of the night, he finally left
the hotel, saying ne was going to eaten a
train for Luray. On reaching the depot
he went TO the telegraph office and ad-
dressed a few senseless remarks to the
operator.
Leaving the office, shortly afterward
ne ran a short distance out on the ral-
road bridge, which was close at hand A
freight train was coming across the bridge
at that time and before the engineer could
stop his locomotive, the engine had passed
over the unfortunate man, almost severins
his head from his body. There were no
letters or papers on the person of the dea 4.
he was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery at
Harper's Ferry Sunday morning
The disappearance of Mr.. East from the
city and the lack of definite knowledge
as to his whereabouts at the time gave
rise to fears that it was he who Derie.led
at Harper's Ferry Saturday morning.
The dead man had S13.75. a round-trip
ticket to Luray, Va, Nfrom Washington
ID. c.. and baggage check to Lurav. His
1a1n fs -sYs1, W.,
Mr.. East was about tlirty-four Years of
age. and had long been resident of Rich
mond He was bright active Young
man, and was for many wears in the in
surance business here being connected with
John B. Cary & Son, Fred. Pleasants. and
other leading agents from time to time
He was prominent in secret order work,
and was secretary of Abou Ben AGhem
Lodge of Odd-Ifellows a member of Da-
mon Lodge. No. I. Knights of Pythias. and
also Of the Ancient Essenic Order. He
took keen interest in his secret order
work. and until recently stood very high
in all the orders with which he was con-
nected. Lately, it is said, he used some
of the funds entrusted to him through his
official connection with the lodges
About two weeks ago Mr.. East left
Richmond for Baltimore. it is understood.
for the purpose of raising money with
which to settle his obligations here, but it
is presumed that he was not successful
If the man who committed suicide at
Harper's, Ferry was Mr.. East. he leaves
a widowed mother and younger brother,
who lives at No. 220S East Grace Street,
and who are greatly disturbed by their
weight of woe.
1t was learned last night that Mr.. Rob
ert S. East, brother Of the young man who
is reported to have baen killed at Harpers
Ferry on Saturday. is very doubtful as to
whether the man was his brother or not.
He sent a photograph of his brother to the
operator at Harpers Ferry Monday night,
with the request that he wire him if the
body was identified as that of ]. Williams
East. but up TO late hour last night he
had heard nothing from the operator