The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-27
DEATH ENDED
DOUGLAS PLAN
Hoped to Reform and Be Re-
united to His Family.
HAD MADs A GOOD EFFORT.
Body FOuad Ia the Rlvsr-Frlsnds Say He
Was Killed BY Thugs Police Contend Hs
Took His Own Lie.
HAD MADs A GOOD EFFORT.

Jersey City, Aug 27.--What drove Rob-
ert b. Douglas. the assistant secretary of
the Jersey City Young Mems Christian as
sociauon, TO Kill himself is mystery.
Friends seriously doubt that he committed
suIcIae ana Deneve ne was the vlctlm OF
thugs. Those who hold this opinion point
out the tact that when the body Was
taken out OF the HUDSON river, OF the
foot OF one hundred and lhlrty-nlnth
street, the wrists were Ueu together with
a piece OF shoestring
Z he police officially decided yesterday
that the man was not the victim OF vio-
lence and ceased TO take further interest
in the case They reached this decision
after Coroner's Physician Higgins made
an autopsy al the morgue and found that
death had been caused by drowning NO
marks of violence were found on the
body,
That Douglas should commit suicide al
this period of life was double enigma
10 his closest friends, those who We're ac-
quainted with his domestic relations.
Douglas had been separated from his
vile and three children for several years.
The separation was due TO his irregular
habits I'm former years. In 1899 he re-
formed, joined the church and became an
ardent worker with the Young Mems
Christian association. lie displayed ex-
ceptional apttue for the work. andby
his earnestness and faithfulness became
recognized as the most valued member Of
the official staff OF the Jersey City insti-
tuition lie had charge of nearly all of its
finances.
PLANNED TO BEGIN ANEW.
Since he first reformed he had been on
probation with his wife. The period of
probation would have expired next month,
and all the arrangements had been made
for his living again with his wife and
! three children. They had become recon-
| ciled. A few small debts remained oi
! those he had contracted when he had
| been leading different life All of the
! other debts he had settled For months
he had been looking forward joyfully TO
| the time when he would resume his place
as the head OF the household
In view OF these facts his friends cam
not conceive how he could have killed
! himself His affairs were In better shape
| than they had been for years. he had
/ good position, was drawing a salary suf-
| ficient for all the needs of himself and
family and was respected by a wide cir
| Gle OF acquaintauces. lie had decided to
devote his life TO Y NJ G.. A. work.
His associates i'm the Y NJ. G. A.. who
| believe that he was murdered, point 10
the fact that his hands were tied and
| that only ave cents were found In his
| pockets He did nearly all ~ the coli
| lccting for the association and often car
ried large sums with him. Many persons
| knew that he collected money for the Y.
I NJ G.. A. aud Il is thought that he might
| have been rendered senseless, robbed aud
thrown into the river.
II. A. Mcachen. secretary Of the Y. Nj.
4 G. A.. and with whom Douglas lived at
| No 20 Brnckerhoff street Jersey City.
| came here yesterday and Identified the
| E0dy al tho morgue. lie questioned the
| police and Coroners Physician Higgins.
| The latter when asked about the string
| around the dead mans wrists. declared
| that persons who committed suicide by
| drowning often made moose In a piece
| NJ cord and drew II tight over their
| wrists 10 prevent their struggling I'm the
water and defeating their own purpose.
HIS FAMILY PROMINENT.
Mr.. Douglas was thrty-nine years old
| and photographer by trade Ills family
in Newark. where his wife and children
live is uQite a prominent one His elder
brother George W. w. Douglas, who also
identified the body yesterday. has held a
responsible position in the postoffice here
for twenty years.
In 1899 Douglas drifted 20 Norfolk, Va.
where he mot Mr. Meachen. who was
secretary OF the Y. NJ. g. a there. Mr.
| Mcachen came 10 Jersey City in July
1900 and the following September Mr.
Douglas also came TO Jersey City TO TAKE
the position Of assistant secretary OF th'
| Y M G. A. there.
| Mr. Meacben and the other officers o
the Y NJ. c. A. secuted the idea tha
Douglas had suddenly lapsed into hi
former habits and had ended his life in
tit of rcmorse They also declared he hat
not misused any OF the association
money.