Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-18
DUE TO INHALING GAS
HISS WILLIAMS, GOVERNMENT
EMPLoYE, COMMITS SUICIDE.
Financial Investments Source Of
Worry-Letter From Niece-Ar-
rangements for the Funeral.

Miss George H. Williams. ffty-fve years
of age. who was clerk in the Office Of the
auditor for the Post Office Department, COM
mited suicide this morning in her room at
the home of Harvey B. Gram, 238 Della
ware avenue northeast, by inhaling illu-
minating gas Miss Williams had been de-
spondent for several weeks and persons in
the house had done the best they could to
cheer her. Mrs. j. L. johnson, sister of
the deceased, living at Essex, Conn, was
notified of the sad affair. A cousin, the Rev.
Richard p. Williams, pastor of Trinity
Episcopal Church, waas sent for as soon as
1t was learned that life was extinct but
he was at Orange. Va. A message was for
warded to him at that place. He is expected
to reach here late this afternoon to take
charge of the body and make the necessary
arrangements for the funeral. 1t is stated
that sister of Miss Williams resides at
1401 Lanvale street, Baltimore.
Miss Williams was appointed to position
IN the government service in 1856, and held
it since. She had a host of friends in this
city. including those who attend the church
OF which her cousin is pastor
Check for Room Rent.
On table in her room was a check for
So Miss Williams had made payable to Mr.
Gram for rent. The check 1t Is believed,
was made out early this morning, and Act
ing Coroner Glazebrook turned 1t over to
Mr.. Gram Search was made of the room
for note or letter, but none was found
On the bureau in the room were several
letters the deceased had received recently
from relatives. and the contents of some Of
them indicated that the recipient had been
worried about something. possibly about
real estate and the troubles of others.
turing the past six weeks, Acting
Coroner Glazebrook was told Miss Wiz
nf bAip dan
but she never intimated what was trou-
bling her"
Miss Williams had resided in the house
OF Mr.. Gram for about three years, and
was looked upon as member of the fam
lily. She recently spent two weeks at her
former home in Connecticut and when she
returned abou- a week ago, che seem ed
more respondent than she had been before
she went away. Mr.. and Mrs Gram and
other friends made every effort ito cheer
her and put her In better frame of mind,
but they were unsuccessful. When she re-
turned to her room yesterday she was in
the same respondent mood that had char
acterized her during the past six weeks.
She remained in her room last evening
mot seeming to want to converse with the
others IN the house. While her friends
knew she was Respondent, they did not
anticipate that she had ever contemplated
taking her life, and they were shocked this
morning when they learned Of what she
had done.
Gas Tube Clutched in Hands.
A few minutes before o'clock this morn
ing, as Miss Williams had not been seen
Out of her room, Mrs Gram went to the
third floor to see If she needed anything.
Upon entering the room she saw the body
lying across the bed with a gas tube
clutched in both hands
But l didn't think she was dead" Mrs.
Gram remarked afterward because her
body so warm"
Dr. Glazebrook explained to Mrs Gram
later that in such cases the body usually
remains warm a long time The gas was
turned off and a message was sent for a
physician. Crossing Policeman Haines re-
sponded 10 call for assistance, and the
ambulance from the Casualty Hospital,
with DR.. Brestel In charge: soon reached
the house. DR.. Brestel hurried to the room
and found that life was extinct. He said
there was nothing to be accomplished by
removing the remains to the hospital.
Letter From Niece.
One of the letters found In the room was
written by a niece Of Miss williams upon
stationery bearing the name Of the Hotel
st. George, Brooklyn Heights, N. Y, and
was dated July 16. The contents of the
letter make II appear that Miss Williams
vas worried over financial matters growing
out of her Investments. Her niece wrote
her to let the matter rest for awhile be-
cause of the condition of her health. She
discussed the real estate holdings of the
aunt and suggested to her that she have
her agent report upon the possibility Of
selling.
Don't get yourself In a state OF mind as
in the past the niece wrote, but please
remember that others have to work and
suffer besides yourself, and lots of times
when you think the world is against you,
Others possibly next to you, suffering
even worse, yet they do not seem to be-.
After dealing with family matters the
niece concluded: $50 please brace up
Undertaken ]. William Lee took charge of
the body and prepared IT for burial. The
remains will be kept at the house OF Mr..
Gram until Rev. Mr.. Williams reaches the
city and makes arrangements for the fu-
neral 1t is likely that the body Will be
sent to Essex for interment