El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-12-07
Of a Young and Brilliant Sur
geon, Late Of Kan
sas City.
WAS DESPONDENT
From Illness, and Fearing 10
Look into the Future He
Pu'a Bullet Into His
Own Bran.

This morning at Z O'Clock another
sad chapter was added to the week s
sensational history in Ell Paso.
Despairing of heath and happiness
Dr. Kirk C. Mckinney, one of the
most promising young men in FL Paso,
placed 44-calibre revolver to his tenn
pie and ended his life at one single
shot
The affair occurred, in the doctors
room on North Ell Paso street Appar-
emily he had just got out of bed and
walked to the front of his mirror and
committed the deed. He had been
brooding for some time and those who
knew him best were not surprised at
the act. On hearing the report of the
gun friends in the house went to his
room and found him lying on the
floor in front of the dresser bleeding
profusely. Life was not extinct but
he was unconscious and remained so
until he died an hour later.
DR. Mckinney had been in FL Paso
before but had only returned here
few weeks ago. Since his return it
was noticed that he was restless and
avoided the society of his old friends
About a week ago he had a severe epi-
leptic fit at his room and was revived
with much difficulty. Since then his
conduct has been ever more peculiar
He would often sit and sleep in his
chair as though he was under the in
fiuence of some dreadful drug. Since
his death this morning it is learned
that he had been buying trional and
chloretone from nearly every drug
store in town. and it is known that he
had been using it freely
His friends think that he feared that
he had epilepsy and took his own life
on this account.
The unfortunate man had other
troubles that might have added to his
spells. II is said that ne
was in love with ayoung woman in
Kansas City for many years and for
a time was engaged to be married His
health gave down and he came here
to revive it. He was improving in one
way but not in another and fearing
the worst he broke the engagement
with the young woman. In the ten
derest expressions ne explained the sit
uatiOn to his betrothed. asking her to
release him as he saw no chance to
recover. She did il and he gave I'D
all hopes of happiness. To review this
chapter of the story is hardly neces-
sary. At any rate he brooded more
and grew more despondent |
until the end.
DR.. Mckinney was favorably known |
IN Ell Paso. Many of his old college
and friends reside here.
among whom are DIR. ]. H. Austin. and |
DR.. Rawlings. who knew him well !
when he was practicing physician
n Kansas City.
He was a native of Ohio but had re-
sided in Kansas City for many years.
n 1893 he graduated with highest hon
'rs at Yale where he was associated
With the most exclusive society in the
college. Harry Payne Whitney. of
he two spent most of their time to-
sether. After he graduated at Yale
Dr.. Mckinney moved with his parents
o Kansas City. Here he entered the
Kansas City Medical college and grad
lated there In 1896. He then prac-
iced medicine there and was one Of
he leading members of the Kansas
Medical society. For some time he
vas assist ant to DR.. J. d. Griueth, the
eading surgeon Of that place. and was
ater assistant chief surgeon for the
Kansas City Southern railroad he
tuberculosis there and was
ldvised 10 go west nearly two years
lgo
He came TO FL Paso last year and
vas with DR.. Schuster for several
His uncle is financial agent
or the FL Paso smelter in Mexico City
md offered him asplendid position at