Evening star., 1902-03-24
ENDS LIFE WITH POISON
CORONER DECIDES JESSE II. AR
MOLD COMMITTED SUICIDE.
Deceased Had Suffered From Apoplexy
and 1ndigestion-Was Clerk in
Treasury Department.

Mr.. Jesse H. Arnold, who held a position
| in the Treasury Department for more than
thirty-six years, died at his home No. TO
I'D street northwest, about $50 o'clock this
| morning. Coroner hewitt made an investf-
cation of the circumstances attending his
death and concluded that Mr.. Arnold had
committed suicide. His death. the coroner
determined, was due to a dose of strychnine
taken with suicidal intent. Il1-hea1th is as
signed as the cause for the rash act. The
sudden death Of Mr.. Arnold was severe
shock to hfs wife.
Mr.. Arnold was fifty-ive years old. He
came here from Cadiz, Ohio, in 1868 to ac-
cept government clerkship and had been
employed continuously ever since. During
| recent years he was assigned to duty under
the auditor for the Interior Department.
During the past week he had been away
from Office because of illness. Yesterday he
| took a short walk with friend. and when
he returned home he complained that he
was exhausted. Nine years ago he suffered
a stroke Of apoplexy. from which he appar-
emily fully recovered. Since then he had
had two slight attacks Of the same trouble.
During these last attacks he was able to
prevent his wife from knowing of the trou-
bic. fearing she would be worried about
him.
In addition to these attacks Mr.. Arnold
had been an intense sufferer from indiges-
tfOn. because OF LnlS complaint ne was
seldom able to take the necessary amount
| of food to keep his system in healthful con-
dition. He became despondent over his
physical disability, and, 1t is reported, de-
cIared he would end his life should he again
be threatened with an attack Of apoplexy.
1t is stated that he had been in the habit
of carrying quantity Of strychnne in his
pocket. This morning he did not leave his
bed when breakfast was announced and he
said he wanted no food brought to him.
| After some persuasion he consented to
drink a glass of matted milk. Then he
| was left alone until some minutes after B
o'clock. when his wife went to his room.
She found him suffering intense agony and
the family physician was summoned. Pend
ing his arrival Mrs. Arnold. with assistance,
did all that was possible to relieve the
dying man. She did not realize that the end
| was so near. although she believed her
husband had suffered a stroke Of apoplexy.
The sick man died before the family physt-
clan arrived.
Paper Containing Poison.
On a table near the bed was a paper
which contained small quantity OF the
poison. This was turned over to Coroner
hewitt when he called at the house to make
an investigation. Before deciding to give
death certificate assigning the cause
stated, Coroner Nevttt interviewed men,
| bers Of the family and others. He learned
from them that Mr.. Arnold had threatened
tack of apOplexy approaching. and he was
also told that Mr.. Arnold had carried
strychnine in his pocket.
The deceased was native of Cadiz Ohio.
where he lived at the time he received his
appointment. His wife and one son, Jesse
Arnold. survive him. It is likely that his
funeral will take place Wednesday after
| noon from his late home.