The Wichita daily eagle., 1903-12-20

When found. Sweeney was attired in
the clothes which he wore while up
town. With the exception Of his coat. he
was fully attired. Everything about the
room showed that the han had arranged
his plans for his death with care. The
clothes taken from a closet were laid on
one side of the bed The other side was
left unoceupied. After taking the poison
Sweeney laid down as if retiring. He
never even moved afterward
Miss Sweeney's Story.
II was greatly startled" said Miss
Sweeney, while engaged in some house
work, to hear by mothers voice calling
to me that my grand father was dy-
ing. Without waiting to hear more. Iran
to a neighbor's and telephoned for2Dr
Walker. Then / hurried, home. Grand.
father was lying on the bed apparn& tlyr
dead. although L noticed in a moment
that he was still breathing We tried
to make him drink some milk. but he
would net do So Neither would he an
swer when spoken to. The doctor ar
rived them
Visited Her Son. W
Before going to the barber shop where
he got shaved yesterday morning, Swee-
ney visited with his son at his place of
business. 226 West Second street He
spent perhaps an hour there. Although
Mr. Sweeneys father was of an unusually
quiet disposition, he was even quieter
yesterday morning. He stood about the
store, which is sign painting establish
ment, and scarcely spoke except when
q larx
store and went to the barber shop From
that place he evidently went straight
TO his sons home, arriving there about
10 o'clock.
The Letters Written.
Although Sweeney's relatives do not
know to whom he wrote some letters,
they are of the opinion that he ad-'
dressed them to, his sons. He has two.
One lives at Denver and the other at
Rock Island, Ill.
Coroner MecoIlister Says.
"In my opinion" said Mr. McCollister,
who had been notified of the mans sud
den death, 1T is a plain case of suicide
and there is consequently no occasion
for holding an inquest 1 have the bot
tie that contained the poison. Mrs. Swee-
ney saw the old gentleman throw it from
the window. The evidence is so con-
elusive that Sweeney committed suicide
that it is not necessary to make any
further inquiry in regard to it,"
Grieved About Wife.
MY father-in-law came to live with
us two years ago Immediately after his
wife died. said Mrs. Sweeney. Prior
to that time he lived at Rock Island
Ill. Ever since his arrival here he grieved
about the death of his wife, Scarcely
Il day passed that he did not say some
thing about her. She died of asthma.
brought on bp pneumonia, after but
short Illness. She had been ilf before
her death for some time, but not so as
to confine her TO her bed She was con-
fined to her room about two weeks when
death came. L don't think my father
in-law ever recovered from the shock.
Married Fifty Years.
About three years before he came to
Wichita and one year before she died,
Mr. and Mrs. w. l.. Sweeney celebrated
their fiftieth wedding anniversary at
Rock Island They had lived at that
place almost during the entire time.
Was Very Old.
At the time of his death Washington
Sweeney was II years Of age. He did not
appear to be nearly that old, however
and got about as one many years young
err He had taken good care Of himself
In his dress he was very neat and was
always smooth shaven. Although his
face was wrinkied, of old age. Mr.. Swee-
ney still showed evidence of having once
been handsome man. He walked toler-
ably erect for one u so many years.
Suffered With Rheumatism.
With the exception of slisht attacks. of
rheumatism which he experienced at
times Sweeney had not been ill for many
years. He was a remarkably healthy
man. The attacks of rheumatism which
he experienced were only slight. His
relatives are positive thet his cause for
committing suicide was not due to illness.
r. Nj. Sweeney Says.
MY father had lived with US ever since
nv mother died about two years ago
Since that time he had grieved contin-
uauv about her death. That is undoubt-
edlv the cause for his killing himself
Was Wealthy Once.
Prior to several years ago Mr. sweeney
was once considered wealthy man. lie
was in tie manufacturing business at
Peterson. y. J.. Wilmington. Del, and
other places. Later ne net with re-
verses. At the time of his death Mr
sweeney was only in moderate circur1i-
stances. according to his father.
Member of Lodge.
Washington Sweeney was one OF the
oldest members OF the Odd Fellows lodge.
In the United States. 1t is said that he
is the oldest He joined the lodge in
Wilmington. Del. in 1880 Three years
later he moved TO Rock Island. H.. where
Eel