Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-09
EDWARDS COMMITS SUICIDE
Mysterious Tragedy In New Haven
Partially solved by
Coroner.


NEW HAVEN, Conn, Jan S-Suicide by
means of both bullet and poison is the ex-
PLANTATION given by Coroner Eli Mix of the
death of Charles A. Edwards Of New York
City at the Abigail Hitler homestead here
on Tuesday night last This finding is con-
tanned in a preliminary report TO states
Attorney Williams and is based in part on
the discovery of morphine in the body OF
Mr.. Edwards by Medical Examiner Bartlett
and the surgeons who performed the
autopsy. The finding is supported by some
portions OF the evidence taken at the in
quest which extended through FIVE days
and which is not yet completed
The preliminary report is made at this
time to relieve public suspense and Coroner
Mix adds that Mr.. Edwards death was
probably one OF the most remarkable one
on record. The theory of suicide. however,
appears TO not have heen held by the
coroner until Saturday, when detectives un-
earthed in the shrubbery near the Hitler
house a 22-caliber revolver and half-pint
bottle containing a quantity of laudanum.
Until that time. and in absence of a re-
port Of the chemical analysis of the viscera.
the theory was that Mr. Edwards had been
murdered.
The first action taken by Coroner Mix to-
day. after reaching a conclusion in the case,
was to order the release from surveillance
Of A. Maxcy Hitler. brother-in-law Of Mr..
Edwards. who. on Thursday evening last
was placed in charge of a police officer.
The coroners brief report does not dspel
the mystery in the death of Mr.. Edwards
and untf the complete finding is ready.
probably no public solution can he found
as to why MIR. Edwards. as Coroner Mix
describes his actions at o'clock on
4 Wednesday morning last. clad in his under
, clothes left his chamber and descended 10
the basement: lighted the gas. unbolted and
| opened the rear door. twice discharged a
| revolver at himself, one bullet going into
the ear then failing to kill himself threw
the weapon away. drank laudanum and
tossed the bottle after the pistol and with
blood flowing from a wound in the head
dragged himself back to his chamber. got
into bed, drew the bed clothes over hi;
shoulders and after placing a handkerchief
under his head to staunch tho flow OF blood
lapsed into unconsciousness, death coming
six hours later
Coroner Mix in discussing his finding
said:
The laudanum and revolver were founC
two days ago thirty feet from the rear o
the dining room. just good throw from tn
back door. They were in the same dlrec
a half-pint bottle in which an inch OF flui'
remained. Another revolver was found. bu
its chambers were filled with dust and /
had not be discharged recently. Th
handkerchief found under Edwards cheel
was wadded and all indica tions show tha
he had pressed 1t close TO his ear. Anothe
handkerchief was found near the rear doc
which had on it the initial e The blood
stains from outside the rear dining room
up the stairs, form a trail and stop at tn
landing. In my opinion the man shot him
self first and then took the poison. Afte
taking the poison he threw both revolve
and bottle away and pulled himself VI
stairs
we feel now, that everything has bee
covered and there remains no doubt tina
Mr.. Edwards took his own life.
Maxcy Hitler took his release from SUI
veillance calmly. but denied himself to a
callers. Bv advic2 II ' ounsel he ha
refused to make any settlement whatever
Some of the inquest evidence is understoo
to be startling. almost beyond belief. TIL
coroner himself admitting this For thi
reason II is not expected that States A
torney williams will allow the evidence I
be exposed for publication.