The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-03
DRACK ENDED HIS LIFE.
His Body Found in Lonely Spot on
the West Mountain-Left a
Note of Farewell.

The body of John Drack, of lis Null
berry street, who has been missing
from home since last Friday morning,
was found about S o'clock yesterday
morning, in an advanced state of de-
composition. about IL quarter of mile
from the Wickheser farm on the West
Mountain The following note was
found on his person:
Goodbye. mother; goodbye, John: !:
goodbye, Hallard dear sweet child, this
life has no charms for me any longer.
for am robbed of all its pleasures, and I
can't endure 1t any longer, SO l will end
al misery by this means, so give cheap
but respectful burial; that's all l ask of
you, and once more bid you all goodbye.
The accepted theory is that Drack
took a dose of poison of some kind
after fully preparing himself for the
ordeal. The body was found in WE'LL
selected spot for such an act.
The body was discovered by John
Winterouts and David Roberts, who were
berrying on the mountain. They notified
the officers at the Jackson street police
station, and Patrolmen Peters and Mar
ker, in company with Coroner Saltry
and Funeral Director Wymbs, went out
on the mountain and brought the body
to Wymbs' morgue, where it was iden-
titled by Samuel Decker, an employe at
the Cliff works. The coroner decided
that an inquest was unnecessary, as
the note left by Drack was sufficient to
indicate the manner of death.
Drack had been employed as store
keeper at the American Locomotive
works. on Cliff street, for the past
eighteen years. His wife and son sur
vive him. Hallard, whom he refers to
in his note as the dear, sweet child"
was his grandson, whom he was much
attached to.
Mrs. Drack attributes her husbands
rash act to persecution at the hands of
a young man who worked with him.
From the notes and papers found on
his person it would seem that he was
financially involved. and this may have
led him to take his life. One of the
notes found was from the Union Ticket
agency. doing business at 203 Lacka-
wanna avenue, which read as follows:
June Is, 1902
John Drack, Scranton, Pa.
Dear Sir: Unless you call at our office
and pay the amount due us. VIC shall
issue execution Thursday. June 10. with
out further notice. Hoping YOU will at
tend to this matter at once, we remain
Yours truly,
Commercial Loan Co..
Per NJ. Nc.
A Tribune man interviewed Manager
Blau, of the company above mentioned
and he stated that Drack had received
loans of over one hundred dollars from
them, giving notes, a life insurance
policy, and his will, as security. There
was also found on him a statement
from Scranton clothing firm for bal
ance of $12.15, and another from car
pet and furniture firm for $50 balance.
Receipts for payments of S. and SIS
were also found. Eight cents, pipe,
comb, rule, knife, pencils, keys and a
few other trinkets were also found on
him.
Deceased was AZ years of age and
had been resident of Scranton all
his life. He was a member of Camp
430, Patriotic Order Sons Of America.
The funeral will take place today at 8
p. m. and will be attended by Camp
No. 43O p. o. S. of A. Interment will
be in the Pittston Avenue cemetery.