The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-27
FRIENDS DOUBT It
Are 10th TO Believe That Hart
Committed Suicide.
HINT AT FOUL PLAY
Committee Appointed by Cor
Oner to investigate RumOrs

A.
manager and part owner Of the Western
Milling company OF this city, had deliber-
ately fred a bullet into his brain from
the effects Of which he died several hours
later. caused a stir in business circles in
Wichita yesterday and gave rise to all
manner Of rumors. Some OF his friends
who have been intimate with him for a
number Of years. are very 10th to believe
that he himself fred the shot that re-
suited IN his death. and hint that crime
has been committed. IN order TO ascer-
tain the truth or falsity Of this intima-
ton, Coroner AIcConister has appointed a
committee Of representative men com
posed OF the following. who are TO more
fully Investigate al the circumstances
connected with A1r. Harris death: S. q.
-Amidon. George Pratt, ". 5. Grant.
Frank Balue, J. R. Dutton and Mr.. Gack-
enback. This committee win resolve it.
self into q e0roners jury in the event
enough evidence has been collected that
I VIII Justify the holding OF an inquest
To officially determine the cause Of the
unfortunate mans oeath.
On the wn0le, it is thought that mere
sentiment gave rise TO the opinion that
the dealh Of 8Ir. Hart is more than a
/ plain case of suicide. while on the other
hand there is logical reason 10 believe
( that the latter is the real and only con
I dltou Of affairs.
4 1t was rumored on the streets yesterday
I in business circles that financial trouble
was the cause for The rash act. 1t was
! also stated that Mr. Hart was short in
/ his accounts with the drm OF which he
/ IS manager and that he had endeavored
/ TO adjust the defalcation during the
/ course OF the previous evening but had
failed in his attempt This, however. is
not officially veride4, and in justice to
( the deceased the public has no right 10
/ believe these rumors untu some one in
/ authority and IN q position TO know
I confirms the same.
( At S o'clock Monday night. ". A Hart
/ probably lad no more thought Of self
( destruction than the new born child. At
1 this hour he was still ar his home and
/ conversing with his wife and children.
/ He played with the latter for some time
during the course Of the evening, and
then as bedtime came he assisted his
wife TO lay the tired babes in their
couch. there to peacefully slumber untl
the sun OF another day had arisen. He
kissed them goodby, and then his wife.
The latter ct least had no idea that She
/ never again would see him in life ana
that this parting Kiss would be the last
this side of the grave. Hart left his home
in a joyful mood lie first went 70 attend
a meeting Of the Masonic Consistory, and
for several hours later conversed
pleasantly upon various subjects with
friends and associates.
He never for a single moment betrayed
by word or action that he was contem-
plating suicide. He was as 1ovial as ever,
and che to have seen him upon this oc-
casion would have been led 10 believe
that he was without care Of any charac-
ter. Later ia the evening lac visited the
Elks' lodge, and then went out with some
friends.
50 far It has not been made known
who these parties were. and conseqquent-
ly 8Ir. Harris actions during the night
and up 10 about o. clock yesterday morn
ing are a matter Of mere conjecture.
At this hour. according to the statement
Of the night-watchman Of the Western
Milling company 5 plant al St Francis
and Second streets, Mr. Hart entered the
temporary Office Of the concern on the
south corner, and after saluting the
night-watchnan. II. T. HolIingsworth. he
began to joke with the latter for some
sime. and then requested him TO light
the IRE 50 that the Office would be warm
b. the hour the employees began to arrive
for their days work az the plant Officer
uT.-rss
his revolver n an Inside coat pocket and
fearing that in lighting the FIRE the same
might fal oct. he placed the pistol in
the drawer Of desk az the request Of
Mr. Hart The latter. HoIingsworth
states, also remarked that it was not
necessary for him to carry q revolver.
and that it would Be perfectly safe If
placed in the drawer Of the desk. The
officer then left the room to procure. some /
f'lel for the Ere Duriug his absence he
heard the door open and shat, but
thought uothing eff this. matter since ne
supposed Ar. Hart had gone 10 procure /
SEINE breakfast.
The coming Of 1Tr. Hart 10 his place
OF business ST that early hour was Moth
ins at ali unusual Tor him 70 de- He
was in the habit Of Frequently coming
e the place early III the morning and late
III alsh- Consequently. when De Wa l-ed
iEto zee once al that early hour yester-
day tha officer tholeht nothing If The
tier. THE ofcer cid not notice any
thlag peculiar about his appearance that +
woald lead him ~ believe shat be was IN
alT bat RISE best frame az Mind ana II1l-
lingsHarlh stated that be certaialF 5ll
uot tniuk tle man woull commit s-iel1e.