Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-06
FATAL DOSE OF POISON
HERBERT E. HANNIs OF MAR
TINsBURG COMMITS SUICIDE.
Registered at Local Hotel Last Night
and Was Found Dead This
Morning.

Herbert E. Hannis. son of the late Henry
s. Hannss, who was the former owner of
the Hannisvilie distillery at Martinsburg.
w. Va. committed suicide by the use Of
iaudanum this morning at the Chicago Ho-
tel. 345 Pennsylvania avenue. Before taxi
ing the fatal dose he scrubbed message
on slip of paper asking that notice Of
his death be sent Mr.. William yesterday.
the real estate dealer in this city; to his
wife and to the Martinsburg Lodge of Elks.
No writing was left By the unfortunate
man TO show why he was tired Of life. but
letters found in tine pockets of his clothing
indicate that he had been a patient In the
West Virginia Hospital for the Insane at
Weston and that his wife tried TO have
him discharged from there last month at
time when he was at home visiting his
family.
note he had recently received from
DR.. Andrews of Martinsburg reads: Your
wife says for you to prove to her that you
are o. X. and she will then see what she
Will do. Would suggest you see DR.. Wea-
yer and go to Mount Hope at once.
The contents of this message caused the
police to believe that Hannis had suffered
recurrence of his mental trouble. He
had probably started to go to the Bal
timore institution, but changed his mind
when he reached this city and committed
suicide instead.
Mr.. Hannis reached Washington last
night shortly before s o'clock and purchased
ten cents worth of laudanum at drug
store on Pennsylvania avenue. telling the
clerk that he wanted to use IL as lini-
ment. About $50 O'Clock he registered; at
the Chicago Hotel and asked that he be
called at 800 o'clock this morning. The
porter was sent to his room at the ap-
pointed hour, but was unable to arouse
him. An investigation was made and his
BODY, fully dressed. was found. A pack
age of letters and the brief note men
toned were on the bureau, while on the
wash stand was found half-pint flask OF
whisky from which only small quantity
OF the liquor had been consumed. This, it
is thought. was taken by Mr.. Hannis at the
time he swallowed the poison. After swal-
lowing the laudanum he threw the bottle
from the window to the yard.
Alive an Hour Before.
1t is believed he did not take the poison
until this morning, for he was alive
about one hour before his body was
found. About $3.50 O'Clock the proprietor
OF the hotel saw light in the room Han
mis- occupied, and heard heavy breathing
IN the apartment. There was nothing I'M
usual In the sound, however, and no par
ticuar attention was paid to it. Mr. Con-
nors, the proprietor of the hotel. was sur
prsed when informed that his guest had
ended his life. Mr. yesterday, whose name
was mentioned In the note, called at tne
hotel before noon and saw the body He
said he knew members of Mr.. Hannis FAM
lily, but that he had not been well acquaint
ed with him personally.
Capt. Boardman telephoned to the CHIEF
OF police of Martinsbnrg. telling him of the
death and asking that relatives and friends
be notified. The Martinsourg official was
greatly surprised at the news. and told
Capt. Boardman that. Mr.. Hannis was one
of the most popular men In Martinsburg.
His wife and several children survive him.
Mai Richard A. o Brien of the Washing
ton Lodge of Eilks learned of the suicide
and had Undertaken j. William Lee take
charge of the remains. After Coroner
hewitt had given a certificate OF death the
remains were removed to the undertaking
establishment and prepared for shipment TO
MartinS5urg
His Friends Expected.
message has been received by Capt.
Boardman from friends of the deceased
stating that they will come here late this
afternoon to take the body to his late home
for interment.
The Hannsville distiliery is one of the