Evening star., 1905-11-10
CUTS HIS OWN THROAT
MICHAEL MCDONNELL GIVES WAY
TO DEsPoNDENCY.
Commits Suicide at His Home In
Georgetown-Disapp In
Business Matter.

Michael Mcdonnell, who conducted q
wholesale liquor establishment at 3241 NJ
street, committed suicide this morning by
cutting his throat with razor His wife
witnessed the deed while she was standing
upon a chair looking through the transom.
The strange conduct of her husband caused
her to suspect that his mind was affected,
and when she went to look after him she
saw him, as stated, raise his hand and draw
the weapon across his throat
Mcdonnell had said nothing about the TAX
ing of his life, but had appeared respondent
during the past week and friends think he
had become mentally dsordered.
1t Is believed his condition was brought
about because of a recent business transac-
ton, that he was disappointed at having
been unable to return to Ireland He sold
his business for 5000 a short time ago, it
is said, and last night closed negotiations
for repurchasing 1t at an advance of $1,000.
He retired last night usual, taking his
| fifteen-months- sold boy to bed with him.
About Z o'clock this morning he took the
child to the room of his wife and asked her
to look out for the little one. saying he
wanted to get some rest From his wife $
! room he went to the bath room and got his
razor.
What have you under your gown?' Mrs
Mcdonnell asked him when he started to
return to his room.
only little drink" was the husband S
response. II don't feel well and think lit
tie drink will do me good
Deed Witnessed by His Wife.
Mrs. Mcdonnell heard him enter his room
and close the door, and, being alarmed by
his actions. she left her two children and
went to her husbands room to see If she
could be of any assistance to him. The door
was locked and there came no response to
her knock and call. Then she got chair
and looked through the transom. At that
moment, as stated, she saw her husband in
filct the fatal wound
Hurrying from the door of her husband S
room Mrs Mcdonnell called a relative liv
ing in the house and had him break open
the door DR.. Mcintyre was summoned from
his home across the street, but life was ex-
tinct when he reached the bed upon which
Mcdonnell lay. He had severed his wind
pipe and jugular vein
When the police and coroner reached the
house they found the razor still clutched in
the right hand of the dead man. The ghast-
ly wound had permitted free flow of blood
and the body presented a horrible appear
ance. a careful search was made of the
room in which the deed was committed, but
no message of any kind was found. If Nc
Donnell had contemplated the deed any
length of time he kept his secret.
Coroner hewitt questioned people in the
house and gave certificate of death from a
self-infl!cted wound.
Settled Here Eighteen Years Ago.
Mcdonnell came to this country about
eighteen years ago and opened a restaurant
on Virginia avenue southwest. He did a
prosperous business and about five years
later returned to Ireland. About six years
ago he came back to this country and went
into business in Georgetown Again his
business prospered and once more he ad-
ranged for trip to Ireland. Then he sold
his business for 5000 and intended to open
a place in the same neighborhood, but was
unable to get possession of the property he
wanted.
His disappointment in the matter Of being
unable to get the property and his having to
pay the $1,000 advance for the place he had
sold seemed to annoy him, but not as much
did his failure to arrange for another
trip abroad.
After the coroner had disposed of the
undertaken took charge of the remains
and prepared them for burial.