New-York tribune., 1908-04-16
PHOTO A DEATH PILLOW
DR.4.B.MDOWELL SUICIDE
Kisses Son and Cuts Throat, Head
Resting on Dead HTc's Picture.

DR. Alexander p. Mcdowell son Of the late
2 Benjamin Mcdowell. who was officer in
the Confederate army, committed suicide yes
terday afternoon by' cutting his throat in his
apartments at No. 119 West 129th street, after
kissing his five-year-oId son, Alexander B. jr~
goodbv and telling him that he would not see
his father again. He told Mrs. Elizabeth Pur-
cell from whom he rented three furnished
rooms 10 telephone to his friend, DR.. Henry 9.
Hazen. of No 66 West 5Sth street. and ask him
to come Immediately TO the West 129th street
apartments.
Becoming suspicious of the PHYSICIANS actions
Mrs. Purcell took the little boy TO another room
While she was telephoning she heard the sound
of a body falling to the floor and dropping the
receiver she rushed TO DR.. McDowell's room and
found him lying on the floor with his throat cut
and razor lying beside him He had removed
his coat collar and tie. and was calling for Mrs
Purcell TO send for doctor. She fastened out
Of the house for medical assistance and met
Patrolman Feudner. who summoned DR.. Quirk
of the Harlem Hospital In the mean time Mrs
Purcell had called Dr.. y. f Lancaster. whose
office is across the street, but when he arrived
DR.. Mcdowell dead.
He had a large practice, and even last night
several of his patients called at his office. not
having heard of his death It is believed that
he grieved over the death of his wife. five years
ago and this loss preyed on his mind, for. when
Mrs. Purcell found him lying on the floor his
head resting on a photograph Whlch was
said to be that Of his late wife.
DR.. Mcdowell came from place near Rich
nond Va. He attended the West Point Military
ACADEMY. and was a cIassrnate Of Frank Browne
Keech Of No. il East 6Jth street, member OF
the banking firm Of Keech. Loew & Co Dr.
Mcdowell left West Point before he was gradu-
ated and studied medicine at the Columbia Medi-
cal School in Washington, now the George Wash
ington University from which he was gradu-
ated in 1891. He then entered the New YORK
Infants Asylum and took course there, and
also acted as interne for that institution. He
then began practising medicine in this city, and
for the last three years has lived and had his
Offices in the West 10th street apartments.
Besides having an extensive practice. he was
also clinical assistant in the West Side German
Hospital.
When Coroner Dooley arrived at the apart
r7ents and made an investigation he found
small leather pocketbook In the physicians
clothes in which was a will, made and dated
April IS, 1907. After providing for the payment
of his funeral expenses and debts the testator
bequeathed all his personal and real property,
money and chattels his young son. whom he
had nicknamed "Chicky." He appointed Mrs
A NJ. Crosby, of Atlantic City, executrix OF his
estate and guardian OF his son, without bond.
DR.. Hazen and Frank B. keech are also named
executors,
Mr. Keech said last night that he had known
Dr. Mcdowell at West Point. but that he lost
track Of him when the physician left. Mr.
Keech said that he met Dr. Mcdowell about
three years ago and had short talk with him.
Since then he had not seen the physician.
DR.. Hazen was greatly shocked when he
learned Of the suicide and said that he
able to give any reason for the act. He said
that he had known DR.. Mcdowell for about ten
years.