Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-22
TAKES HIS OWN LIFE
J. II. STRICKHART, RAILWAY
EMPLoYE, HANGS HIMSELF.

John Henry Strickhart yesterday morning
constructed moose of piece of sash cord
and hanged himself. Although his body
dangled from projecting hinge in his room
at the home of his aunt Mrs. ]. P. Smith,
312 Delaware avenue northeast, nearly all
day. 1t was not found until after o'clock
in the afternoon. William Monkey, a friend
OF the deceased. thinks he knows the mo-
tive for the suicide. but he positively re-
fused to tell the police what it was. In the
absence of any other information the police
suggested that his suicide was because of
love affair or financial matters.
Strickhart. who was twenty-eight years
OF age, was an inspector of air-brakes for
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company,
and he boarded at the home of his aunt,
where a number of other railroad employees
lived. Three of the men-Strickhart, Mox-
ley and one other-roomed together, but
as they worked during different hours
they seldom occupied the room at the
tame time. Tuesday night Strickhart
was at work as usual. returning home early
yesterday morning. He gave no indication
to any one in the house that he contem-
plated ending his life. it is said. although it
Is believed that he had previously given
such an intimation to companion
After leaving the breakfast table yeSter-
day morning Strickhart went upstairs to
his room. 1t Is thought that the hanging
occurred shortly after he reached the room,
as his body was cold and rigid when exam
ined. The discovery of the suicide was
made by Miss Dora Cooley, a boarder in
the house.
Fails to Respond.
The young woman went to the room to
cali Strickhart, and when he failed to re-
spond to her calls she pushed open the door,
1t was with considerable difficulty that she
was able to open the door, the heavy form
of the dead man resting against it at the
time.
Miss Cooley hurried from the room as
soon as she learned what had occurred and
called loudly for assistance but those who
responded to her calls, two members of
No. engine company and others, found
life extinct. 1t was evident that Strickhart
had been dead several hours. The firemen
cut down the body and placed it upon the
bed.
Coroner hewitt went to the house last
night and made an investigation. The facts
ELECTED made it clear that Strickhart had
taken his own life and the coroner gave a
certificate accordingly.
Precinct Detective Vermllion made an in
vestigation of the affair. but was unable to
ascertain what was the motive for the
deed He interviewed Monkey this MORN
ing. but the latter declared he would not
tell what he knew of Strickharts possible
motive.
I'VE had been friends for a long WHILE"
he told the precinct detective, land don't
want to say anything about him.
Strickhart was a native of this city and
was unmarried. 1t is stated that he had
been in the employ of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad for about ten years. During
the war with Spain he enlisted in the 25th
Infantry and subsequently spent about two
years in the Philippines 1t was stated by
relatives of the dead man this morning that
they had noticed a change in him during
recent weeks.
'At times" remarked one Of the rela-
tives, ''he appeared foolish, but / never
suspected anything like this"
1t was suggested by some friends of the
dead man that his Philippine experience
had probably affected his mind and caused
him to take his life. Undertaken E. M.
Boteler prepared the body for burial and
arrangements have been made to have the
funeral take place at o'clock tomorrow
afternoon.