Evening star., 1909-03-09
Hinton R. Helper, Despondent,
Commits Suicide.
HAD BIG RAILWAY SCHEME
Served Formerly as Consul General
at Buenos Aires.
INHALES ILLUMINATING GA
Was Eighty Years Of Age and the
Author Of Several Works
Of Note.

Heart-DrOken because his uIedih VI NOV
ing an intercontinental railroad open to
commerce the fertile valleys OF Centra
and South America had never material
lied, Hinton Rowan Helper. former United
States consul general at Buenos Aires
committed suicide here last night.
Mr.. Helper was eighty years OF age. q
veteran of the civil war and author OF a
book claimed by some to have been one OF
the elements in starting that conflict. The
tragic act was committed In a room al
62S Pennsylvania avenue northwest. b!
tying a towel about his neck and turn
ing on the gas.
The body was discovered about II
O clock this morning by one of the cham
bermaids who went to the room to make
up the bed. The body was lying across
the cot, partially dressed The maid gavs
the alarm and the Emergency Hospita
ambulance was summoned.
DR.. Sparks Of the hospital accompanied
the ambulance. He pronounced life ex
tinct. Later the coroner examined th<
body and gave a certificate OF suicide b,
asphyxiation. The body was removed t(
the morgue.
Last Seen Yesterday.
Helper was last seen alive late yester'
day afternoon. He appeared despondent
declaring there is no justice in thi:
world" and that he was tired OF living
anyway" Nothing more was seen Of him
until the body was found.
At the rooming house today 1t was said
that the old gentleman had been In low
spirits for some time. He engaged the
room March IS. 1905. a little less than a
year ago. Previously he had a room at
500 18th street. His financial affairs. It
is stated. had apparently been IN oao
Papers and letters found In the room
where Helper took his life revealed the
fact that he was evidently deeply inter-
ested in only one matter. the project to
build a great intercontinental railway, to
extend through North. Central and South
America. Copies Of letters were found ad-
dressed principally to George r. Stark
weather and to the treasurer OF the
United States, which he had written at
various dates.
From a number of instruments and ma
terials. such as small springs, cogwheels
and the like, found In the room where
Helper died. 1t is also supposed he prob
ably was working on an invention, the
nature Of which is unknown.
Grows More Despondent.
That he had told but little Of his at
fairs. further than that he had claim
which he was seeking to get before Con-
gress. Is apparent. It 10 asserted that he
became more despondent recently. when
the representative who had been working
on his case failed of reelection to the
coming session of Congress.
Those who had come In contact with
Helper said they believed the railway idea
had affected his mind. He was constantly
trying to borrow large sums OF money.
for which he claimed the lenders would
receive tremendous returns.
In one letter Helper. In asking for a
loan. said he had spent forty-two years
trying to work out the railway scheme
and had expended nearly $4,000.
He is said to be survived by his wife
O blind cripple residing in South Carolina.
An effort will be made by the police to
locate her.
Born in North Carolina.
Hinton Rowan Helper was born In
North Carolina December q. 1899. In
1868 he married Maria Rodriguez at
Buenos Aires. He received an academic
education and was United States consul
at Buenos Aires from 1862 to 1855. Since
that time he devoted himself to the pro-
railway, to eventually run from Berine
strait TO the Straits OF Magellan.
Mr.. Helper was the author Of the I'm.
pending Crisis Of the South" published
in 1857; the Three Americas Railway
''Nojoque; the Negroes in NegroIand.'
"The Land of Gold,' "Oddments of An.
dean Diplomacy and other works.
During the last years Of his life the
venerable man practically abandoned the
literary field and devoted his thought and
energies to the exploitation of his rail-
way project. He was deeply absorbed In
the matter. and as old age crept upon him
without seeing the accomplishment OF his
cherished dream he became toward the
last rmorose and Respondent. He was a
familiar figure in this city. and especially
about the halls of Congress during its
sessions. He was q man Of great ability
and had as sincere friends many of the
leading thinkers OF this and the past
century,