Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-18
YOUTH TAKES HIS LIFE
BEING Too Young to Marry He
Decides to Die.
HUNG HIMSELF IN CELLAR
He Leaves Note Telling of His Great
Affection.
SWEETHEART IS HEART-BROKEN
Girl Is Being Closely Watched For
Fear She Will Kill Herself Also
A Hagerstown Tragedy.
IS HEART-BROKEN
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dlspdtcn 10 1 ne STAR.
HAGERsTOWN, Md, December 49,
Frank Reno, in his sixteenth year, a son
of R. B. NJ Reno, who for many years
was one Of the leading merchants of Hag-
erstown, committed suicide late last night
by hanging himself in the cellar at his
home. His lifeless body swinging in the
air, was discovered by his little brother
Robert, who had gone to the cellar to look
for his brother.
A love affair was responsible for the
youths act. He was desperately In love
with girl of even more tender years,
Anna Hockersmith, living in the west end
of the city. Realizing that they were too
young to wed and at the same time feeling
that he could no longer live apart from
the girl, the youth took his life. In a note
went to the cellar he stated his last
thoughts were of Anna and Of his parents
and that he had no regrets.
Young Reno was a student at the Antie-
tam grammar school and was naturally q
bright boy
short time at the Office Of the Academy
of Music, and the youth seemed to be in the
best of spirits When they left he bid Cash
Ter Charles Baker CHEEKY good night. At
the door father and soon parted, Mr.. Reno,
who is in poor health going to physi-
clans Office, and young Reno going to his
home.
His Farewell Note.
T7Don rea ching the Reno homo ;c
located on East Franklin street opposite
ST. Pauls United Bretheren Church, Frank
Reno picked up school tablet lying on
the library table and wrote his farewell
note, while his younger brother Robert,
aged thirteen, and his aunt, Mrs. l. Stevens,
sat In the same room talking. Remarking
that he believed he would go down into
the cellar and see how much kindling wood
was cut, he left the room. After hearing
few strokes Of the small AK occasionally
used by the boy the noise ceased and all
was quiet.
When he failed to return within a reason
bile time Robert went down into the cellar
to look for his brother. He was horror
stricken when he found his brothers body
suspended from a joist, the means employ
ed being wash line. After telling his
aunt, the lad started to the office of DR..
had gone.
DR.. Wareham and Mr. Reno were en-
gagged in conversation when news of the
tragedy reached them. Together they
haStened to the Reno home, where the
father collapsed when he found out that
his son was dead. Throughout the night
he was wild with grief and was constantly
under the care of physician.
Justice Hoffman in the capacity of coro-
ner, visited the scene and after learning the
details decided an inquest was unnecessary,
1t being in his opinion clear case Of sui
eide.
nation of the neck, stated that death was
due to strangulation. 1t is thought the
youth tied the one end of the rope over
the joist and then while standing upon a
small box placed the other end about his
| neck After fastening the moose he kicked
the box from under him. The tip ends OF
his shoes barely touched the ground.
Might Have Saved Him.
pathetic feature of the suicide Is tina,
the boys life might have been saved had
he been cut down Immediately after being
discovered Owing to the excitement that
prevailed at the Reno home, possibly TWEEN
ty minutes elapsed before the arrival
of the physician and other cool-headed per.
sons who took the body down. Even then
of life had passed out.
The tone of the note was such as to in
dictate that young Reno had fully made UT
his mind to take his life when he wrote It
In 1t, he told of his love for Anna, and said
he could stand it no longer After care
fully folding the note he pinned it to his
shirt, so that it would be sure to be found
when his body was discovered. He is sur
vived by his father and one brother, his
mother having died a number of years ago
Miss Hockersmith is completely Frustrated
over the tragedy of her lover and cannot
be comforted. She is being carefully watch
ed by her relatives for fear that She NAV
make an attempt upon her own life The
funeral of young Reno will take place on
Thursday and will be private.