Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-11
Suicide of L. S. NicoIai,
Former Business Man.
FATAL DOSE OF LAUDANUM
Leaves Letters Explaining Reasons
for His Rash Act.
RECENT FAILURE IN BUSINESS
Also Alleges Desertion by His Wife.
Asks That His Mother Be
Notified.

Failure in business, deserted by his fam
lily and penniless We're the reasons given
by Lawrence S. Nicola. formerly an oil
merchant for committing suicide. They
were set forth in letters written by Nj
coai and left in his room at the George
Washington Hotel, 18th street and New
York avenue, where he was found in a
dying condition this morning about $50
o clock He had swallowed a quantity of
laudanum, and his condition was SO Sc
rious that he dio not regain consciousness
during the hour he lived after being taken
TO the Emergency Hospital. One letter
was dated August 1 last, showing he had
given the question of suicide some
thought, and that his act was not the
result of sudden impulse. The letter
follows:
Having recently been deserted by my
lawful wife, Mrs. Marian E. Nicolai, 124l
Kenyon street, and same coming at a
time when l should have received her CO.
operation and support the most; this
combined with my miSfortuneS in business
during the past year or more, through
the unbusinesslike methods of the Stand
ard Oil Company and its subsidiary con-
Germs now doing business here. I have de-
cided to end my combined cares and trou-
bles on this earth by the taking of my
life.
Il respectfully petition that the person
finding this communication will kindly
advise my mother. Mrs. Charles H. Nico-
lai, residing at the Pines, Catonsville Md.
of my act, or the firm of Leckie, Fulton
& Cox, attorneys, who are thoroughly
conversant with both my domestic and
business troubles
Thanks and Appreciation.
A second letter, dated August 1, reads:
Il desire to extend to you my thanks
and appreciation for your recent kind
treatment and accommodation. 1 will re-
spectfully refer you to my once lawful
wife, who is now living with her parefits
at 1241 Kenyon street northwest, this city,
for the settlement of your account against
me amounting to $4a97 to August 1. 1907,
and truly trust she will settle same out
of the $4,000 insurance
Il have written both my mother and
my brother at Baltimore, Md, of my ac-
tion. but you will kindly notify the local
authorities and do as You think best for
the disposition of my body after death.
My lawyers are Leckie. Fulton & Cox.
These gentlemen know all about INV re-
cent and past troubles. both in business
and with Mrs. L. s. Nicolai.
Should any of my relatives from Bal
timore visit you regarding me, please ex-
tend them any and al due consideration"
Letter to Landlady.
The third letter found in the room was
addressed to Miss n. Hayes, proprietress
of the hotel, and reads:
mo doubt this letter will surprise you
but l could not stand the strain any
longer, and with view of bringing on re-
lief in my present unfortunate position l
have taken my own life by committing
suicide. After / am through with this act
l will be indebted to you for nearly one
NJ nth'S hoard and 7 trI1l hot
will receive your money at the hands of
my relatives
Miss, Hayes was shocked when she
learned of the suicide. Mr. Nicolai
and had made many friends there
Friends of former years, however,
had deserted him at a time that
he needed them most. and his act,
1t Is believed, was due more to his
disappointment at their hands than for
other reasons. Whens he failed in busi-
ness he thought friends would go to his
rescue. but the latter sadly disappointed
him. 1t then became necessary for him
to go into bankruptcy.
Statement by Attorney Leckie.
Nicolai, Attorney Leckie stated today.
gave up every cent he possessed for the
benefit of his creditors. His elegant home
on Columbia road went with his other
property and effects, Nicolai believing his
friends would come to his rescue and
put him upon his feet, but the latter did
not assist him, and he was left practi-
cally penniless- The oil plant In South
Washington. he stated cost about s16. 600
and 1t was sacrificed for 81 200
Mr.. Leckie said he thought Mrs. Nicolai
was not to be blamed for returning to
her parents home: that. she was not
called upon to make any more sacrifices
than she did make and that she. had done
her part by her husband. After falling
in business, Nicolai made numerous eff
forts to obtain employment but failed
1t is said that Mr.. Nicolai had borrowed
considerable money on his life insurance
policy, and that when the claims against
1t have been settled there will be but
little left. =
The deceased, who was nearly fifty
years of age. was in the oil business in
South Washington for a number of years
His company had a large number of
wagons used in delivering oil to small
stores and did big business.