Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-24
DUE TO DESPONDENCY
MAN ENDS HIS LIFE BY INHAL-
ING ILLUMINATING GAS.

Without cent in his pockets and appa-
rently respondent at the prospect of a
cherries Christmas, Raymond Thompson,
about twenty-five years of age- committed
suicide last night in room occupied by him
| in the lodging house, $50 E street, by in
haling Illuminating gas His body was
found shortly before o'clock this morning.
Coroner hewitt was notified and issued :,
certificate of death in accordance with the
facts.
! According to the story told by friends to-
day, Thompson was employed as a baker in
the Raleigh Hotel until a snort time ago.
When he left that place he claimed to have
secured employment in a similar capaNty
| at the Arlington, but he laid off about ten
days ago to visit his home. At that time
Thompson seemed to be we'll supplied with
money. mis- friends stating that he had more
than $50 to carry him over the trip. Thomp-
son returned to Washington Friday and
went to the street house, which is kept
by Henry Russell. Russell and Thompson
worked together for more than two years,
| and the former readily granted the request
for accommodations, though no MONEY was
oHered in advance payment.
Seemed Morose Yesterday.
Thompson and Russell and George Har-
low, another friend of Thompson spent yes
young baker seemed more morose, he never
once hunted of an intention to end his life.
About O'Clock in the afternoon Thompson
left his companions. with the remark that
he felt like lying down, and asked not to be
disturbed until this morning. Thompson
had asked one of his friends yesterday for
piece of rubber gas hose, saying he wished
to connect gas stove. The friend could
furnish no such article. but Thompson man.
aged to secure tube from another source,
and when his body was found this morning
gas was still flowing from the rubber hose,
which had Slipped from his mouth after
death
Mr.. Russell and Thompson had arranged
to go out together This morning, and when
the latter failed to appear Russell went to
the room on the second floor and knocked
repeatedly. There being no response, Rus
sell. becoming alarmed, called Policeman A.
Meilen of the first precinct Together they
forced open the door. and were almost over
come by rush of gas. Life had long since
departed from the form on the ped, for he
body was rigid. and moisture from the
mouth and nose had frozen so that the face
was partly covered with ice.
Left No Directions.
Careful search through the bureau draw
ers and through the pockets of clothing
failed to reveal any letters or writing ex-
planatory of the deed. Neither was any
money found Thompson's only effects being
the clothes that he wore. Even his over
coat was missing, and such was the pow
erty of the surroundings that the sugges-
ton was made that Thompson had probably
pawned his overcoat to secure sufficient
money to buy the short length of gas tube.
Shortly before noon the police secured
definite information that the suicides father,
Robert Thompson, resides at Newport,
Charles county, Md. and telegram notify
ing him of the tragedy was Immediately dis
patched. An aunt of Thompson, Mrs. Han
cock resides at 1902 Champlain street, and
Is employed at 1911 II street