The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-13
DIED RATHER THAN Be BLIND.
". B. HOWELL or PINE BLUFF 4
Suicide IN HOTEL NAVARRO.
Mob dy Heard Fatal Shot Flred--Specialist
Told Him on Tuesday That His Sight
Could Not Be saved-Leaves Mes.
sage Asking Mothers Foretyeness.

Told Him on Tuesday That His sieh
Could Not BE saved-Leaves Mes.
! sage Asking Mothers Forgiveness
W. b. Howell, cotton planter and mer
chant OF Pine Bluff, Ark, came here two
weeks ago hoping that an eye special st
could restore his failing sight or give him
encouragement. He wa. told Tuesday
that nothing could be done for him, that
II wouldn't be long before he was blind.
Late Tuesday night ne shot himself in his
room at the Hotel Navarro.
Mr. Howell had been troubled with his
eyes for about year. Little Rock specialists
told him they could do nothing for him.
and he came to this city for the first time
operated on and he secured some relief,
but recently his sight began to fail 80
rapidly that he came here again for treat
ment.
He consulted with his physician Tues
day afternoon and was told that his con-
dition was hopeless He was advised to
go to a cooler place for the summer. His
sister, Mrs. NJ. NJ, Russell, who was with
him here. left at once for Stanton, Va,
Mr., Howell saying he would join her in
a day or two.
He was greatly depressed at the Nevarre
early Tuesday night and explained to those
who inquired that the excessive heat made
him ILL., just before midnight he called
a bellboy and asked to be called at O. clock
the next morning.
Nobody in the hotel heard shot fred
but when bellhoy appeared at 0 o'clock
yesterday morning to call Mr.. Howell he
found him dead on the bed, a bullet hole
behind the right ear.
IN the dresser were several kilograms,
with 81 and some change to pay the charges
Three of the kilograms we're to his brothers,
H. Clay Howell of Pine Bluff and NJ. F.
Howell Of Birmingham. Ala. and to his
sister, Mrs. Russell. They were worded
the same way:
Treatment of eyes unsuccessful. Hope
lesslv blind. This explains all. Ask mother
to forgive.
When Coroner Schoer got to the hotel
he didn't find the policemen who had been
sent from Headquarters when the Coroners'
Office was notified. The Coroner said that
DR.. John Wilson Gibbs, physician living
in the hotel, who had been summoned by
the hotel people, did not take the police to
Howell 5 room. Coroner Scholer found Gibbs
there when he arrived DR., Gibbs. accord
ing t. the Coroner, wanted to send for
DR., Travis Gibbs of IS West Thirty eighth
street. Mr.. Howell's physician He had also
made arrangements for an undertaken
Coroner Scholer had words with DR..
Gibbs and then ordered Dr. Gibbs out OF
the room.
What right have you to send for any
body?' said he. Il am Coroner Of New
York and / tell you to leave the ROOM
DR., Gibbs left at once. He said he had
no interest in the dead man except that
Of ordinary humanity. and he was simply
doing what he considered his duty as
physician summoned by the hotel.
The body was taken to a Seventh avenue
morgue to await word from the relatives.
Mr.. Howell was AZ years old. tall and Of
splendid physique. His physician, Dr.
Travis Gibbs, said yesterday:
Nobody could he more surprised than
at Mr. Howells death. The only possible
reason would be the impotence of strong
man in the prime of life at the prospect Of
Kindness