The Washington herald., 1908-06-22

Thomas O'Dowd, sixty-eight years old,
at one time said 70 have been q political
power in Utica, y Y. was found dead
in his shoe repairing shop, 500 I street
northwest, shortly before 1880 o'clock
yesterday morning, Death was due to
as7hyxiation. Corner hewitt gave a
certificate Of death by suicide.
The dead man was well educated, speak
ing several languages. and being familiar
with the classics. He was also known as
a historian Of ability. From the remarks
he made his friends were led 10 believe
that In former years he had every ad-
vantage Of money and position. he often
spoke OF Mr.. Sherman. Of Utica, nomi-
mated for the Vice Presidency at Chicago
last week. and intimated that at ous
time he was one Of the nominees most
powerful leutenants
RumOrs Of FouI Play.
When the body was first found there
were rumors to the effect that O'Dowd
had met with foul play. An lnvestiga-
ton was made by the coroner and the
rumors were found TO be without founda-
ton.
The body was discovered by T. a.
Neff. who lives at sl6 Eighth street. the
house where ODowd had boarded for
the last three years. ODowd was known
70 be a temperate man. and had regular
habits. When he failed to return home
Saturday night. or yesterday morning.
his landlady. Miss Fannie Hathaway,
asked Nefr 10 try to locate him. Nefl
went to the shop and peered in the
window. O'Dowd was sitting in a chair
with his hands crossed. Through the
chinks in the windows and door came the
odor Of gas. Men tried the door and
found il locked.
Fearing the worst. Neff notified Bicycle
Policeman Adams. of the First precinct.
and the door was forced open. The aged
shoemaker was dead. -Four gas jets
were turned on fun, and the windows
had been carefully closed. making Il EVIL
dent O'Dowd had made preparations for
death. No note or papers that might
give a motive were found on the body
Friends believe his act was the result
of IN health and financial reverses.
ODOwd came 10 Washington in 1890
He held a responsible position in the
Census Office for three years. when he
left the government service, II was ru-
mored. because Of political difficulties.
Being badly crippled In his legs, ODowd
looked for employment that would al
low him 20 sit down most Of the time
A short time after he opened a shoe re-
pairing shop at 500 I street.
Genial and a FavOrIte.
He was genial, and a favorite with
all the residents in the neighborhood Of
his shop. He told OF being born in Ire
land, and said his home had been in
Utica, n. Y. before he came TO Wash
ington. His ability as a conversation
alst and his wide and clear knowledge
Of public affairs drew a small coterie Of
friends about him. who spent hours dis
cussing art, literature, ana subjects Of
the day. Even to these friends he told
little OF his past life. and beyond saying
he was alone in the world volunteered
scant information.
That a man with the attaInments OF
O'Dowd should choose the profession or
a shoemaker was a constant source Of
wonder and comment by his friends. Ask
ed about this, ne would say nothing
For several months past his health
had failed him, and he confded TO sew
eral persons that his financial condition
was not as substantial as ne would like TO
have II.