Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-06
TAKES HIS OWN LIFE
s. HARVEY PERRY, A TAILOR,
COMMITS SUICIDE.
Became Financially Embarrassed-His
Body Found This Morning in
Small Workroom.

Because of financial troubles in connection
with his business, s. Harvey Perry, who
conducted a merchant tailoring establish
ment 1T 915 G street northwest committed
suicide either last night or early this morn
Ing the exact time not having been ascer-
tanned. He ended his life in a small work
room on the second floor in rear of his
place of business by inhaling Illuminating
gas. More than a week ago the merchant
sought the services Of Attorney Charles
Linkins for the purpose Of having him effect
a settlement with his creditors. which
would operate to prevent foreclosure. He
was rather heavily involved, it Is said, but
his counsel met with success and had ar
ranged to get the signature of the last of
his creditors this morning in order to get
an extension of one year in the matter Of
the time, in which he could make a settle
ment. Mr.. Perry was told last Saturday
that satisfactory arrangement would be
made and he seemed somewhat relieved
upon the receipt Of the information. Dur
ing all his business troubles he said nothing
to his friends to indicate that he contem-
plated taking his life and his death proved
a shock to his many friends and patrons.
He had not been at his home, No. GAIA
7th street, since Monday morning. He left
his wife and two children at home when he
came 20 the city, and that afternoon one
of his sons saw him at Chesapeake Beach
Yesterday he was not seen by member OF
his family or his employees and his absence
caused uneasiness. 1t was known that he
was in financial difficulty. His place OF busi-
ness was opened this morning as usual. At
torney Linkins called about 10 O'Clock, hav-
ing been unable to find him yesterday. and
asked his cutter, Charles T. Neal. II he
could tell where he could find Mr.. Perry
The latter suggested that he might posi-
bly, be asleep upstairs
Detected the odor Of Gas
Neal went to the room to look for his
EMPLOYER and found the door locked. He
also detected the odor of gas and told the
attorney he did not care to force open the
door, The attorney sent word to the police
Detective O'Dea responded to the sum-
mons and promptly broke open the door.
In the small room he found the dead body
of the merchant stretched upon the work
table, Death had occurred some hours be-
fore the body was found and gas was still
pouring from the tube which was attached
to the jet.
1t was apparent that the tube had been
placed in his mouth when he took his po-
sition on the table, but 1t had fallen from
his mouth to the table. The body was cold
and rigid. 1t was thought possible he might
have left message, but none was found.
son of the deceased reached the store
shortly after his fathers body was found
and Mrs Perry was notified.
Inc QeCedSeQ was q ndUV0 Oh LeeSDurS,
Va, where he was born forty years ago.
He was employ I'd by Saks & Co. for about
fl urteen years and had been in business
for himself twelve months. 1t was when
his bills came in at the end of the year
that his financial trouble started.
Coroner hewitt investigated the death
and concluded that the tailor had purposely
ended his life. An inquest was deemed I'M
necessary and the body was removed from
the business place and prepared for burial.
Arrangements for his funeral have not yet
been made.
During the fiscal year just ended, seventy
two persons committed suicide in this city
against ffty-two during the preceding
twelve months