Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-08
SUICIDE BY SHOOTING
FRANCIS s. MEAD, CANAL EN-
PLoYE, TAKES HIS OWN LIFE.
No One Able to Assign Cause-De-
ceased Was Bachelor and
Lived Alone.

Francis s. Mead, harbormaster of the
chesapeake and Ohio canal, committed sui
eide early this morning by shooting him
self in the head. He had previously at
tempted self destruction by inhaling illumi-
mating gas.
The fatal shot was fred shortly before
o'clock and Mead died at the Georgetown
University Hospital about two hours later.
The deed was committed in a small room
on the third floor of the Farmers and Me
chanics' Bank building, at the corner OF
31st and NJ streets northwest.
Mead was of a morose temperament. His
actions of late, while somewhat unusual,
did not excite the suspicious of his friends.
He was a bachelor, and practically lived
the life of recluse. For the past few days
he spent but little time at his boarding
house, 1913 32d street, and has not been
regular In taking his meals at the place.
He has also remained away from home sew
eral nights. He arose early yesterday morn
ing and left his home without eating his
breakfast or telling his landlady, Mrs.
Henry, when he might be expected to re.
turn.
From what can be learned he attended to
his duties as harbormaster yesterday.
Nothing is known of his movements after
he had completed his duties for the day.
He did not. however, spend the night at his
home. but this fact did not cause any I'M
easiness 10 Mrs. Henry, as he had remained
away all night at intervals previously.
1t was stated by Mrs. Henry that Mead
had been drinking heavily recently. but no
notice was taken OF it. as he was a man
who attended strictly to his own business.
1t is understood that he returned to the
Office Of the canal company late last night
ana slept there. He seen walking about
the third floor of the building at $50 o'clock
this morning by MIR. William NJ. Smith, an
employe of the Georgetown post office, as
the latter was going to his place of en-
ployment
The Discovery Made
Within half hour thereafter George Pat
terson. the ianitor of the canal company's
offices. arrived at the building. The outside
door was locked and everything was in
proper order. The odor of gas was detected
in the hallway. however, and Patterson
began an investigation. In the bookkeep-
Ing room the gas was discovered to be
turned on full force in an unlighted stove
and the fumes were very strong
After turning off the gas and opening the
doors to air the room Patterson went up
stairs TO the portion of the building over
the bank. In an ante-room adjoining The
office of several of the officials of the COM
pdny the unconscious form of Mead was
found. His body was lying on a lounge
and his feet rested on the floor.
Upon seeing the revolver on the floor and
the blood flowing from the back of Meads
mead Patterson ran into the street and
summoned aid. Policemen j. G. Walsh and
). 3 Custer of the seventh precinct sta
uon were near by and quickly responded.
The officers made an eXaminat ton. They
found hole almost three-quarters of an
inch in diameter Immediately back of
Meads right ear The pistol lying on The
floor was found to be of "A caliber and re-
sembled the bulldog pattern.
Conveyed to Hospital.
The patrol of the seventh precinct station
was summoned and Mead was conveyed to
the Georgetown University Hospital with
all possible speed. He was Immediately
placed on the operating table and the ply
slcians did what they could. though the I'M
fortunate man died shortly after o'clock
without regaining consciousness.
: Nothing that would throw light on the
tragedy was found Meads body or in
the room in which he fired the fatal shot.
cause for the rash act. Mrs. Henry lis
the suicide. She stated that Mead had
boarded with her for fourteen years. The
less of his mother several years ago, it is
thought. preyed on his mind.
Mead was lifelong employee of the canal
company. His father, John w. Mead, VINO
was also employed by the canal company,
was killed May 80. 1877, at the outlet lock
through accident caused by a derange-'
ment of the machinery which was used in
Is ttinS the boats from the canal into the
Potomac river Mead was f1fty-four years
of age. and Is survived by a sister. Mrs.
Perkins and a brother both of whom re-
side a 1860 New Jersey avenue northwest.