Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-03
TAKES HIS OWN LIFE
G. TURNER SWALLOWS
FATAL DOSE OF LAUDANUM.
Occupied q Room at the Fredonia
Hotel, but Declined to Register
In Advance.

Clarence c. Turner, drummer In tne
employ of Eugene 8. Cochran, tobacconist.
at Ills Pennsylvs MIA avenue, committee
suicide at the Fredonia Hotel last night py
taking laudanum. He went to the hotei
about o'clock yesterday morning and ms
body was found shortly before noon today
Az empty bottle found in the room showed
! that the poison had been purchased at the
Belmont pharmacy corner OF 18th ana n
streets.
The proprietor of the pharmacy says that
the young man made the purchase yester-
day morning. He said there was nothing
in the puI chaser's demeanor to arouse his
suspicion. Turner gave his own name TO
the druggist and his business address.
His reason for warting the poison. he said.
was that his horse had fallen on the ice
and cut his foot. He did net register at the
hotel.
The hotel proprietor was in the Office
when Turner called and said he wanted
room for a few hours, as he wanted to get
little rest before going to work.
IF / oversleep myself" he said, don't
| call me. for III pay whatever extra charge
| there is"
"Will you register" he was asked
"I'Il register when 1 come down.. the
young man said. He then went upstairs TO
his room.
Had Evidently Lost sleep.
Turner's appearance indicated to the hotel
proprietor that he had probably been with
out sleep the night before, but refrained
from questioning him to any extent. TINS
forenoon the houseKeeper reported that she
had been unable to arouse the occupant
of tine room that had been assigned to
Turner. The proprietor looked through the
transom and became convinced that the oc-
cupant of the room was dead. The engi-
neer was summoned and he climbed
through the -transom and unlocked the door.
He found that the mans body was cold,
and there was not sign of life left
Captain Boardman was communicated
with and he sent Detective Horne to the
hotel to take charge of the room and con-
tents until relieved by first precinct officers
or the coroner The only thing found in the
| pockets of the dead mans clothes to show
his name was a letter that had been ad-
al essed to him by a young lady he had been
visiting in Northeast Washington. State
meats contained in the letter indicate that
Turner was not physically strong and that
he had been depressed in spirits. 1t was
stated today that last Saturday he made
reniar'- Il. a friend which showed that he
contemplated taking his life. The young
lady on whom he had been calling was con-
s'dcrably agitated about his failure to visit
her home last night and called at Mr..
Cochran's store to inquire about him. She
was unable to learn anything and returned
home.
Complained Of Illness
Turner was twentyfour years old and
lived with his parents at 41o G street
southeast He had been in the employ Of
Mr.. Cochran for about one year, and was
regarded as an excellent salesman. After
being away from the store several days he
returned Saturday and was paid what SAL
airy was due aim. AT that time he said
he had been sick.
Coroner hewitt investigated the case and
gave a certificate in accordance with the
facts. Arrangements were made for the
removal of the body to the mOrgue. Later
in the day relatives of the dead man were
informed of his death and they took charge
OF. the remains. Turner's parents formerly
lived in Charles county, Md, not far from
Marshall Hall. and his body will probably
be taken there for interment. -