The Washington times., 1907-12-11
Friends Say He Gave
Up All to the
Monopoly.
Letter Tells of Alleged
Torture Of Standard
Company.

Left penniless. it IS said. by being
driven into bankruptcy by the methods
Of the Standard Oil Company, Lawrence
S. Nicolsi. formerly a prosperous oil
dealer IN this city, and at one time one
OF the largest independent OIL operators
IN this part OF the country, drank a
quantity OF laudsnum this morning in
his room at the George washington
Hotel. Fifteenth street and New York
avenue. He was discovered lying in
bed unconscious ct S:2J O'Clock and was
rakan 70 the Emergency Hospital where
he died an hour later.
Several letters found IN his room in
dicated that Mr.. Nicolai had contem-
plated ending his life since last August.
Letter Explains.
A letter. which was dated August l,
read as follows.
Having recently been deserted By my
wife Mrs. Marian z. Nicclai. 121 Rln-
Jon street northwest. and same coming
at time when I should have received
her cooperation and support the most:
this. combined with my misfortune IN
business during the past year OF moro,
through the unbusiness-lIke methods of
the Standard Oh Company and its sub
sidiary concerns now doing business
here, 7 have decided 10 end my COM
bined csres and troubles on this earth
by the taking Of my life.
Il respectfully petition that the per-
son finding this communication viii
kindly advise my mother, Mrs Charles
II. NiOolai. residing az the Pines. Ca
louisville. Md, OF nay act, or the firm
Of Leczie. Fulton & Cox. attorneys. who
are thoroughly cOnversant vita both nv
domestic and business troubles"
AIr. Nicolai had been living at the
hotel for several months. When he
was found IN a dying condfJISa this
morning. a hurry call was sent TO the
Emergency Hospital. and DIT. Heae-
bower responded IN the ambulance.
Two Ounces of Poison.
Mr.. Nicolai was lying in bed. Near
his right hand was a three-ounce .phiaI
labeled laudGnUm. He wes suffering
/ intense pain, and his condition was. such
that the doctors could do little 10
( relieve the pain. Acting Coroner
GlszebrOok, who gave a certificate OF
death by suicide, said the man had
drunk about two ounces Of the poison.
/ Up TO about a year ago Mr.. Nicolai
was considered one OF the most prosper
| Gus business men in Washington. He
/ had an extensive oil business. with
/ large warerooms and storehouses IN. the
I Southwest. Then the Standard oil
Company opened an establishment near
/ NicolaFs place.
His business began falling of. and a
year ago a new plant. which had been
/ erected at a cost OF Sl4o0a. was sold un-
/ der foreclosure for sl.2)o Mr. Nicolai
went into bankruptcy. and his home.
/ near Columbia road and Eighteenth
| street, costing more than $1,000. was
sold
Friends Shocked.
When informed that Mr.. Nicolai had
killed himself. a Z. l. Leckie. Of the
firm OF Leckie. Fulton & Cox. who had
known him well for many years and
was probably his most intimate friend,
was shocked. saying that he knew his
friend had been despondent for many
months, but that he had 10 intima-
ton he contemplated suicide.
t'In all Of my experience at the bar"
said Mr. Lecllie. Il have never met a
man who was more upright or honest in
his business transactions. II was his
honesty and integrity that drove him TO
his grave. When the Standard Oil
company forced him out of business he
D y
He didn't keep a penny for himself de-
pending upon his friends TO put him on
his feet and give him another start IN
life. He was unable 10 obtain employ
ment. however, and, as is usual in such
cases. his friends failed TO do what he
had expected OF them
The reference he ma%es to his wife
IN his letters has no bearing upon anv
domestic difficulty between the couple
Until his failure there was never a
happier couple After that he was un-
able to provide for her. and IL was nee
essary for them 20 separate Mrs. Nico-
lai going TO 1--we with her parents When
the crash came Mrs. NicOiai had numer-
Gus DIAMONDS and other jewelry ana
some furniture IN her own name
Sacrificing everything himself, he be-
iieved that his wife. too. should give
up everything she possessed. There was
a disagreement over this matter. but
never any trouble OF a serious nature
Mrs. Nicolal was an excellent woman
and everything that a wife should be-"
A letter dated yesterday was found
IN Nicolafs room. II was addressed TO
Miss y. Hayes, proprietor OF the
George Washington Hotel. and read as
follows:
mo doubt this letter win sunrise
you, but I could not stand the strain
any longer. and with view % bring
Ing on relief In my present unfortunate
(COntinue.d On Eleventh TooeoN