Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-15
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
GEORGE r. SIMMONS Whales IL
ILLUMINATING GAS.
His Third Effort to Take His Own Life
Deed Prompted by
Ill-Health.

After opening all the burners of the gas
stove in the kitchen at his home, $500 18th
street northwest, this morning, George R.
Simmons, a clerk in the office Of the civil
service commission, stretched himself upon
the floor and waited for death to claim him.
1t was his third attempt at self-destruction,
it is stated. The rssult promises to be the
same as upon tie other occasions, how
ever, as the physicians at Garfield Hospital
said this afternoon that he had regained
consciousness and was in a fair way to re-
cover The deed was prompted by i'll health.
1t is said that Mr. Simmons has been sick
several years, and that he used an opiate
because of his inability to sleep. This only
increased his nervousness and put him in a
condition that disturbed his mind. Because
of his sickness he had been away from his
place of employment about three days, and
the clerks in the Office were surprised today
when they learned of what he had at
tempted
Just when Simmons went to the kitchen
his wife does not know. She knew he had
been unable to sleep and had walked the
floor many hours in an effort to tire him.
self in order that sleep might be induced by
exhaustion. He had retired last night as
usual and Mrs. Simmons was surprised
when she found that he had left his room
this morning. The odor of gas attracted
her attention about the time she reached
the lower floor, shortly before o'clock, and
she went to the Kitchen where she found
was terrifying one, but the wife stood
the ordeal well and had presence of mind
enough to stop the flow of gas and ventilate
the room.
DR.. Alfred D. Care. who lives In the
house adjoining that in which Mr. and
Mrs. Simmons live, was summoned to the
house to attend the patient. He realized
that heroic measures were necessary to
save his neighbours life and advised that
Mr.. Simmons be sent to the hospital.
Conveyed to Hospital.
The police were summoned. and they
called an ambulance Mr.. Simmons, still
unconscious, placed in the vehicle and
hurried to Garfield Hospital. Physicians
worked on the patient and soon succeeded
in restoring him to consciousness. He was
then able to tell DIR. Cook about his
troubles. About the time he was removed
from the house Mrs. Simmons found note
on the table in the kitchen that had been
written for her benefit as well as for the
general welfare of the public. In the note
the writer said he was tired Of life, and
could live no longer. He also said IL the
medical profession could learn anything
from his body, he had no objection to per-
hitting them to perform an autopsy
Mr.. Simmons Is fifty-two years DID, He
is a native of Pennsylvania. but lived in
Colorado some time prior to the time he
received his appointment in the civil serv-
ice commission about eight years ago.
Friends knew of his nervous affection, and
were anxious about him. Some of them
were not surprised today when they learn
ed of his third attempt to take his life.
Mr. Simmons and his wife lived In the 18th
street house alone and for this reason 1t
was necessary for the wife to call In neigh
bors to asetst heg.