The Washington herald., 1908-03-21

Frank H. Hosford, a well-khown news
paper man, for over twenty years
Washington correspondent. prominent
member Of the Gridiron Club, and its
thirteenth president also prominent in
Masonic and Pythian fraternities. killed
himself yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Hos
ford. who was forty-fve years of age,
was respondent because OF iii health. it
is understood
Mr.. Hosford was seen to step from the
street into the vestibule of 1903 street
northwest about 3:l5 o'clock He was
found a moment later in a dying condi-
ton. with his throat cut. He was hurried
in the ambulance to the Emergency Hos
pital, but was dead before arrival.
Hosford had used large vegetable
knife to slash his throat. the cut begin
ming in front Of the left ear and extend
ing nearly TO the right ear. There were
several wounds also upon the chest Of the
dead man. believed to have been inflicted
with an ink eraser.
Mr.. Hosford is survived b. his wife.
two daughters Margaret Anna, seventeen
years Old and Florence Helen. eleven
years old-and one son-Frsncis II. Hos
ford, clerk in the Adjutant Generals
Office Of the War Department.
The funeral probably Will be held Mon
day and will be conducted with Masonic
rites.
Left Home for Capitol,
Hosford left his home. 1n Massachu-
setts avenue northeast. between and 8
o'clock. He presumably was bound for
the Capitol
AT few minutes before $3.50 o'clock he
was seen to enter the vestibuIe at 1909 f
street by John D. Williams an electrician.
and Harry Haight, proprietor OF a hotel
opposite at 1910 f street
He opened his coat vest. and shirt
took OF his collar and undid his under
clothing. This he was observed 10 do
by Haight.
II is presumed that Hosford then drew
the knife from his overcoat pocket and
inflicted the wound which caused his
death
Ms Mary L. Ints who lives on the
second floor of 1903 Z street. heard Hos
ford fall groaning 20 the floor She hur-
ried TO the vestibule and found Hosford
speechless and PROSTATE.
Washington O. Berry. proprietor Of a
tin shop next door, and an employe.
George r. Payne. heard the noise and
went to the vestibule. Berry telephoned
TO the Emergency Hospital
Dies on Way to Hospital.
DIR. J. II. Warning arrived with the am
r bulance within a few minutes. and. after
. bandaging Hosford's throat, put him in
the vehicle. and all haste was made TO
reach the hospital. The injured man died
before the institution was reached.
Capt Boardman chief of the detective
bureau detailed Central Office Detective
Charles Evans to make an investigation.
There were suspicious of murder when
Hosford's body was first found.
The detective interviewed Harry Haight.
proprietor of the hotel across the street
from the scene Of the tragedy.
Haight said he saw Hosford enter the
vestibule- His attention was fixed by the
mans actions in removing his collar and
unbuttoning his clothing. He was sure
no one entered the vestibule with him.
No One with Him.
John D. williams. an electrician. living
at T19 Sixth street was working on a con-
duit in front of the Elks' Club and saw
A.
apositive no one accompanied him.
Berry and Payne told practically the
same story.
Mrs lifts said she was sewing on the
second floor when she heard some one
enter the vestibule. She heard mysterious
sounds Thinking children were making
the noises she paid no attention, until she
heard the sound of a falling body and
loud groans-
She then rushed downstairs, and was
the first 70 find Hosford, with throat cut
from ear 20 ear.
wounds Also in Chest,
Dr. Warning said he found six or seven
cuts in Hosfords throat and one deep
cash. The arteries were severed. Loss of
blood caused his death. Seven or eight
stab wounds where in the mans chest.
After his investigation Detective Evans
reported 10 Capt BoaTdman that the case
was undoubtedly suicide. He said an ink
eraser. with the blade broken at the han
die. was found in the vestibule. II is be-
lleved Hosford inflicted wounds found on
? his chest with this instrument.
Prominent In GridirOn Club.
Mr.. Hosford had been member of the
Gridiron Club FOR many years. He served
as vice president of the club in 1897 and
the following year succeeded to the Office
of president
At banduefs and other functions Of the
club his humOr showed itself at all times
10 such a degree as to mark him as one
OF the wits of the organization. He was
particularly clever at repartee. His
caustic remarks across the table always
caused laghter
Mr.. Hosford had been an intimate
friend OF William Jennings Bryan for
years. having met the Presidential candi
date when he was a member of Congress
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