The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-21
ENDS LIFE IN
WIFES PRESENCE
William Albert Mcdonald Takes Car
boIc Acid and Dies Writing,
Holding Spouse's Hand.
SAD OVER MONEY LOSSES
tLL-HEALTH ADDED TO CAUSES
FOR DEPENDENCY.

William Albert Mcdonald, a carpen-
ter, As years of age, committed suicide
at his home, 40 East Fifth South street,
about o'clock Friday night by swal-
lowing an ounce of carbolic acid. After
taking the poison he staggered from his
bedroom to the dining room, where his
wife was sewing. Sinking to the floor
at her side, he grasped her hand and
went into commissions. He lay on the
floor writhing in agony, with the bot
tie clutched in his hand. until DR.. S. c.
Baldwin was summoned. Ten minutes
later he died.
Financial troubles are said to be the
cause of his self-destructiOn. Since
Mr.. Mcdonald came here from Pots
dam, n. Y, four years ago, he had
worked as a carpenter and tried to get
on his feet again. He undertook sew
eral contracting jobs, but lost money
1t is said he lost almost everything he
had saved since he came here and was
financially embarrassed. Mr.-McDOn-
aid was a member of a contracting firm
in POtsdam, n. Y, prior to coming to
Salt Lake. When he pulled out the
firm was losing money. In this enter
prise Mr.. Mcdonald sank practically all
he had His relatives influenced him to
come west and his business undertake
ing here failed.
Health Also Fails.
For three or four months Mr.. Nc
Donald had been out of work. His
health was poor and two or three times
in the past year he had to quit his
work. He came home Friday night
and told his wife he had secured work.
He seemed to be respondent, however,
and after talking with his wife a few
minutes about his affairs, left the room.
He paced UP and down the floor in his
Is q
thought he had gone to bed, but in
stead he left the house. He evidently
went out and purchased an ounce bottle
of carbolic acid. Half an hour after
ward his wife heard him again N the
bedroom. While she was sitting there
became staggering from the room and
fell to the floor at her side, going into
convulsDns.
Born in Canada.
Mr.. Mcdonald was born in Iroquois,
Canada. in 1851 When a boy he worked
with his father and later learned the
carpenters trade. He followed this oc-
CUEatiOn and afterWard went to North
Williamsburg, Canada There he met
Elizabeth Mcintosh, whom he married.
After living there a number Of years,
following his occupation, he moved to
Potsdam, n. Y. -Four years ago he
came to Salt Lake and about a year
later his wife and family followed.
Besides a wife he leaves two sons,
George Emerson and D. Grant McDOn-
aid. A sister, Mrs. Frank Beckstead,
Is the only immediate relative he has
in Salt Lake. Other members of the
family are still living in IroquOis, Can
ada.
Mr. Mcdonald was a member of the
Woodrnen of the World and the Mac
cabees. He carried $4,000 insurance in
each lodge.
Mrs. Mcdonald is PROSTATE with
grief and confined to her bed.
The body was taken 10 Evans I'M
dertalzing establishment, where it was
examined by Justice of the Peace Dana
L. Smith. It was decided that an in
quest is necessary. The funeral win
be held at o'clock this afternoon at
the Phillips Congregational church.