The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-05

LEACH WAS A SUICIDE
Purchased a Two Ounce Bottle
of CarboIic Acid.
WROTE TO HIS FRIENDS
Advises His Wife to Collect
His Insurance.

Kingman, Kan, Dec. 4.-The Leader
Courier has the following of the suicide
of Lewis Leach, of that city: This COM
munity was shocked last night by the
news that Lewis Leach had committed
suicide. The story is short, but sad
one. and is about as follows: About s
o'clock last evening Lewis walked into
Salmon Brothers meat market just as
they were commencing TO put out the
lights and close up for the night. There
were present James Salmans, jerome
Brow nand Wash Hancher. Lewis asked
them to wait few minutes as he wished
to write a letter, and went back to the
desk and commenced writing. In the
meantime, talking and seeming jovial, as
usual The men urged him TO hurry up
as they wished 10 close. as it was after
closing time He finished his writing and
making some excuse stepped into the rear
room for a minute, when he called Jim
Salmons who was standing near the front
door and asked him to come to him. Jim
went back to where he was when Lewis
said, Jim, you will stay with me, won't
your" and Jim replied "Of course, l
withdrawing Lewis had perhaps been
taken suddenly i'll, and asked him what
was the matter. At this juncture Lewis
raised his hands and said, Every thing is
lovely" and sank into chair. Jim real
lied that something was wrong, and sent
Wash Hancher after DR.. Light, who was
in his Office across the street The doc
tor hurried over. but when he reached
there, he found Lewis breathing his last
or nearly so, being then unconscious. Drs.
Cheney and NJ. II. Haskins were also
summoned but the unfortunate man had
passed beyond medical aid.
Inquiry developed that about fifteen
minutes previous to the tragedy, Lewis
had purchased two-ounce bottle Of car
bolic acid at EggleSton S, and the empty
bottle was found on the floor beside the
dead man He had evidently taken it at
one swallow after writing the letters. A
stomach pump was used and every anti
dote known was tried, but the deadly acid
had done its work.
1t developed that he had written let
tiers to his wife and to his brother Carl,
and TO his father, F. G. Leach and to the
I
opened were very short, simply Saying
Good bye" Take care of Olive and
asking for Masonic burial. The one to
his wife advised her to collect his insur-
a1ce, and go and live with her aunt, Mrs
T. G. Kinds, in Jersey City. The one to
his ia Ter has not yet been opened. No
cause for his action was mentioned in
either letter and people generally are
amazed and shocked when they contem
plate his death, as there can be no reason
discovered for his action.
The deceased was % years old last June
and this is his native city. he being the
first male child born in Kingman For
the past two years he has been head
salesman in the dry goods department
Of the w. E Jet Mercantile company at
a good salary y few years ago he was
united in marriage with one of King
man lovable girls, Miss Olive Thomas.
and every one who knew them considered
their prospects bright for a happy / fe
Therefore the manner of his taking off
is dumfounding to his many friends, and
the Cause for it, one of those mysteries
which will perhaps forever remain un-
solved