The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-15

A shocking discovery was made in room
30, North Hope, Brown university. by
George b. Francis, Jr., day roomer.
Mr.. Francis arrived at the college at
o'clock and was surprised to find the
door Of the room closed and locked, the
key hole stuffed with paper and that gas
was escaping through the space between
the door and the sill.
The door was quickly opened and upon
looking the front campus was found the
body OF Richard Montague.
Mr.. Montague. who was OF the class OF
1904. had attended a meeting of the ID. u.
fraternity, in the Wayland building, last
night and when he returned to his room
had, without waiting TO divest himself
OF his evening dress suit, sat down. wrote,
sealed and addressed several letters to
friends. then extinguishing the light had
turned the gas cock wide open, and shot
himself in his left breast and right tenn
pie.
Evidently the first shot, while II had
caused him TO fall was judged not to be
fatal, and with the little strength he had
the young man put the weapon to his
temple and ended his life.
President Faunce was overcome by the
tragedy and IL was with difficulty that he
made a statement 10 the press representa-
tives.
I Montague. said he, was son of the
Rev. Richard Montague. who at one time
was pastor of the Central Baptist church
of this city.
His father and mother are dead and
he had been residing with his step-motn-
err at Newton Centre, Mass.
lie attended a meeting of his fraternity,
the Delta US. I'm the Wayland building,
last night. There he seemed 10 be very
happy and cheerful and full OF interest
in college life.
mo possible motive can i think or Tor
this terrible deed.
He was "a member of the Central Bap-
tist church and regular in his attendance
upon Divine service.
He was one OF the brightest students
we had i'm the college and certainly was
one of the ablest men we had.
/ am sure the deed was not due TO
any financial embarrassment.
II cannot be attributed to anything per-
taining TO his life, for that was absolutely
bameless and there was no stain what
ever upon his record.
/ think that he had been in too many
things; debating, for instance, and he
participated In tho events OF social lie
of every kind
In these things / think he overstrained
himself With his studies they were too
great a load for him to carry.
DO | recall anything, any action, which
would indicate mental trouble or that
such n step as this was contemplated?
MOI There was not the slightest warning.
The only evidence OF generalization is
found I'm the writing or several letters,
which we found in his room today, and
! which he had addressed TO friends.
lie was very cheerful up TO the moment
| he left his fraternity associates and the
| inspiration 20 take his life must have
| come 10 him very suddenly.
The time of the shooting must have been
about ! o'clock this morning.
James Barry. and Leon HazletOn who
was visiting him, were in a room on the
same floor and at the east elevation OF
/ the building
They heard pistol shots but did not lay
| any stress upon the fact. for it has be-
| come a common frolio OF the students 10
open a window, blaze away with revol-
vers. and watch for the movements OF
patrolmen and citizens who might think
| that there was trouble which needed in
| vestlgation.
| After chapel the fact OF the suicide be-
| came known and then Messrs Barry and
| HaZleton recalled the pistol shots,
| The shooting was done with ~ calibre
/ revolver Young Montague had the wea-
/ non last fall. and when N disappeared the
| assertion was made that 10 had been lost.
| lie probably did not wish the weapon to
/ be seen. much less used. and had hidden
| a. From that time. up 10 this morning.
/ when ~ was discovered by the side OF his
| dead body. the weapon had not been seen
| by any ~ those freuuenting the room
/ Ahout 10 days ago Montague was elected
| secretary and treasurer Of the Il. L. De-
/ batting union
/ on the 5th instant the Brown Univer-
4 sity Sophomore Debating team won from
Resolved. Thst the present policy OF the
| British government with regard TO the
i war IN South Africa deserves full support
I of parliament and nsoDi~"