Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-13

a response to his knocking, broke down the
door. Clad in his night clothes and lying
in the bed with his coat and vest covering
his head. Mercer was found. From the gas
jet in the center of the room was suspended
a rubber tube. and the end of this Mercer
had placed in his mouth after turning the
gas full on. What caused Mercer to end
his life is not known.
Mercers identity was established by pa
pers found among his effects, one Of which
read: Tell Mr.. Van Horn of the Lang
ham Hotel that Winnie Mercer has taken
his life
Manager Of Detroit Team.
DETROIT, Mich, January 13. - Winnie
Mercer, who pitched last season for the
Detroit American League team, was to
have been playing manager of the team
next season. s. F. Angus Of this city, the
owner of the Detroit team, said this after
noon that he had not the slightest idea
what could have impelled Mercer to have
committed suicide Il cannot even con-
lecture as to the cause of Mercer's act"
he said. 'It is a shock to me. am sorry
for the man. He was a splendid fellow. l
cannot yet say anything about who will
succeed Mercer as manager"
While 1t has been generally understood
age the team next year, Mr.. Angus only
yesterday wired to him for the first time as
the manager of the Detroit club. The tele-
gram contained only good news 1t said:
I'VE are well satisfied (Ineaning with the
result Of the Cincinnati peace conference);
what do you think? Have you any one in
mind for the third fielder? Have you train
ing quarters engaged? When will you be
home? (Signed) S. F. Angus"
His Career Here.
The news from San Francisco that ''Win-
nie'' Mercer mad committed suicide in that
city last night created something Of sem
sation among the base ball fans" of Wash
ington. Mercer was so well known, both
on and off the field, that he was almost
considered a resident of this city.
Mercer came to Washington In 1894 with
Manager Gus. SchmelZ and remained in
continuous service with the Wagners until
their interests were bought out by the Ma
tional League in the winter of 1S99-190o
From the very first Mercer gave indica-
tiOnS of possessing unusual ability, and i'll
1896 he became one of the stars of the base
ball world. ]. Earl Wagner, who had di-
rect charge of the team for many years,
took particular liking to the dark-haired
boy, and notwithstanding the fact that he
was ready to sell almost any player wear
ing a Washington uniform, Mercer was the
one exception, and all offers for his services
were turned down In 1888 John I. Brush
for Mercer's release, but like all other
offers it was turned down.
Went to New York in 1900.
When the National League reduced its
circuit in 1900, buying out the Washington
club at the time, Mercer was assigned to
the New York club. When James H. Man
ming started the American League club here
in the spring of 1901 Mercer was one of the
first PLAYERS selected on account of his we'll
known local following. Last year he was
with the Detroits, and his work was such
| that it was the general opinion that win
nie had regained his old-time shrewdness
| Last fall he started ON tour of the west
| with two teams representing the American
| and National leagues, and was with this
group of players in San Francisco when the
tragedy occurred
Mercer represented the better element OF
| the ball players being at all times taste
| fully dressed. and it is on record that he
| transgressed the bounds of propriety in
batting an umpire but once.