Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-07-15
DIR. HIRAM Stokes SUICIDES
Son Of The Late Granville B. Stokes OF
Worcester County, Shot Himself In
The Heart.

DIR. Hiram M. Stokes, former resi-
dent OF this county, and a son of the
late Granville Stokes of Ocean City,
committed suicide last Friday afternoon
at his home in Philadelphia by firing
two bullets into his heart. At the in
quest no motive beyond temporary in
sanity, due to an injury sustained four
years ago, was brought out. A verdict
of suicide by shooting while his mind
was temporarily deranged was there
fore returned by the jury.
Alfred w. ellis, brother-in-law of
DR.. Stokes, was the principal witness.
Mr. ellis, who is the manager of de-
partment store, testified that he had
last seen the doctor about 8 O'Clock
yesterday morning. He appeared to be
in good health. When they parted DIR.
Stokes TESTED with him. ellis, how
ever, noticed that he had a peculiar
look, as if exhausted through overwork
and too close application.
1.-The only reason | can assign for his
act, said he, lis temporary insanity,
brought on through an injury Dr. Stokes
sustained four years ago. He was on
his way to see patient at the time.
when the horses became frightened and
he was thrown out of his carriage. He
alighted on his head and, although
believe he sustained fractured skull or
conclusion of the brain, he refused to
allow physicians to perform an operation.
Since then, at times, especially during
the hot weather, his injury seemed to
have very depressing effect on him,
and he complained of pains in the head.
He had no family troubles and no reason
whatever to end his life
That DIR. Stokes death was premed-
itated and not the result of an accident
was shown by the note written by him
several minutes before pulling the
trigger to his brother-in-law, Alfred w.
ellis. who lives in the same house. The
note, which was delivered by the Doctors
driver to Mr.. Gill's business address,
read
81 want you to come home to see me.
When you get here will be dead. Take
good care of little Murray" Murray"
referred to in the note, is the doctors
two-year-old son.
mediately took cab home, but arrived
nearly half an hour after the tragedy
had been ended.
Shortly after Dr. Stokes had despatch
ed his note two shots were heard, fired
who was working in the house. Running
up stairs the woman found DIR. Stokes
lying on the floor, the still smoking re-
volver by his side, while his left hand
was grasping his shirt over his heart,
where he had evidently located the
vital spot. A physician was summoned,
but death had been almost instantaneous,
both bullets finding place in the doc
tors heart
DIR. Stokes is survived by his widow
and two-year-old son, who arrived from
Atlantic City only late last Friday af-
ternoon. Mrs. Stokes is Frustrated.
DR.. Stokes had been practicing medi-
cine in the neighborhood for number
of years. He was forty-one years old
and u graduate of Hahnemann Medical
College. He married Mrs. Stokes four
years ago, she having been divorced be-
fore her marriage to him. DIR. Stokes
had inherited considerable amount of
money from his father, who was the
proprietor of Tower Hail. on Market
street.