The Washington times., 1908-04-16
BODY OF SUICIDE
GOES TO WARSAW
Relatives of Benjamin H.
Pratt Arrange for
Funeral.
Had Purchased Ticket to
Europe Before End
ing Life.

Relatives OF Benjamin II. Pratt, for
mer linotype timekeeper in the Govern
ment Printing Onice, who committed
suicide In New York by cutting his
throat. today ordered the body sent TO
Warsaw, Va, where funeral services
probably viii be held Saturday morning.
Mrs Lula Bryan. Pratts sister,
living in the Massachusetts apart
ment, will leave Washington tomor-
row evening to attend the fu-
neral Pratt has five brothers and two
sisters, all of whom live in Virginia and
Washington. Detective Harry Pratt. OF
the Central Onice. is his cousin, and to-
day sent several dispatches 10 arrange
for the funeral. Robert Pratt,
brother OF the suicide, will leave Cape
Charles, Va, this afternoon and go 10
New York 10 take charge of the re-
mains and effects of the printer.
Native of Virginia.
Pratt was born in Richmond County,
Va, thirty-eight years ago. His mother
died when Ee was in his teens, and after
learning the prirUng trade he left Vir-
ginia, going West. and remained In that
section for more than ten years. Later
be went 10 New York. and six years
ago came to washington as a printer.
Under the audit system in the Goo
eminent Printing OfhCe he served as
night timekeeper in the Linotype room
Pratt was Of melancholy disposition,
and suffered continually from chronic
dyspepsia and acute indigestion. For
some time he boarded at 74O Fifth
street northwest, and then went TO the
Manhattan Hotel, I'm Ninth street. near
r After the RoSsiteT investigation in
the Printing office he resigned his posi-
zion and returned 10 the Fifth street
house.
About three weeks ago he left HIS
boarding house, saying he was going
10 New Cork. All Of his rtunkS were
packed ready for shipment Detective
Pratt said he met his cousin on the
street about six months ago. and the
latter said, There is nothin ing in life.
intend ending it all Jretty soon
The printer kept mis- own counsel at
al times, mingled but infrequently with
other persons. and seldom visited his
sister In the Massachusetts.
Found With Throat Cut.
Tuesday morning he enga ged a room
IN the BarthOldi Hotel in New York
City Last night a chambermaid re-
ported that she could not get into room
ninety-nine TO clean II. and the door,
which was found 10 be locked, was
battered down. Pratt was found lying
dead on the floor His throat was CASH
ed IN several places, the jugular vein
was severed and the knife with which
he had ended his life was clasped in
his right hand.
Letters in his pocket and the name
registered on the hotel books establish
ed his identity In his pockets a ticket
20 Europe and purse containing S28I
were found
At the Manhattan Hotel it was saiC
that Pratt was a quiet. unaSsuminl
man. who lead an exemplary life. anC
always appeared to be in deep thought
His sister, Mrs Bryan. says he had beer
given TO melancholy and morOsenes
since the death of his mother, many
years ago.
His father DR.. Robert Pratt, con
tractei q second marriage after attain
ing the age Of seventy-three years. DIT
Pratt was notified at StOrmount. Mid
dIesex county Va, today, OF his SON!
tragic death.