The Washington herald., 1909-03-10
REMARKABLE LIFE
ENDS In SUICIDE
Hinton Rowan Helper Kills
Himself with Gas.
FAILED TO REALIZE HIS DREAM
Struggled for Years to Bring About
the Building of n Railroad that
Author of Books, a Diplomat, and
a SehOIar-Died in Poverty.

Suicide by asphyxiation" was the final
chapter recorded. yesterday. in event
ful life Of Hinton Rowan Helper
Lying across a cot with his door tightly
closed 10 prevent the poisonous fumes OF
gas escaping. the aged scholar and diplo-
mat was found by a servant shortly after
10 o'clock.
brief examination by hospital physi-
clans disclosed the fact that Mr.. Helper
had been dead several hours. His body
was removed TO the morgue, and his
personal effects taken in charge by the
police, who are now seeking to locate his
wife and relatives.
Funeral services viii be held under the
direction OF the Authors Society. Of New
York. Helper had no regular income. and
no Office he had. for the last thirty
years, lived wholly on his expectation OF
realizing a dream TO connect the three
Americas by an intercOnJinental railroad.
Knew Prominent Persons.
Although he had no intimate friends.
the former counsel had made the ac-
quaintanee Of nearly every prominent per-
son IN washington, whom he had ap-
preached in the interest OF his Three
Americas idea" as he called It. For
years he had importuned Senator'S. Repre-
sentatives. and other public officials for
loans. with which to push the work OF
building a railway TO bind the zones to-
gether.
Shortly before the civil war. Mr. Helper
rsaH
Impending Crisis Of the South" It was
the publication Of this work that changed
the course OF Helpers life. He was ban
ished from his native State North Car
olina; public men OF the day were Wilt
fed by the Southern press Tor their ad-
vocacy OF the principles enunciated by
the young traveller
As a reward for his efforts, President
Lincoln, who had known the author for
several years. sent him 10 Buenos Ay~es
and IL was during his four years service
there that he conceived the idea 10 link
the three Americas.
1t was in Buenos Ayres that Mr.. Helper
married Maria Rodriguez. For the last
fifteen years she has been blind and
helpless. About ten years ago. feeling
her lonely condition IN Washington and
far from the friends of ner girlhood. Mrs
Helper went to join her sister in South
America. where she has since lived. She
is most attractive and winsome
woman. and had many friends in this
city.
Two nephews and one niece survive the
deceased diplomat Alexander Helper.
the eldest nephew, is employed as cor
respondent in the South by the Manu-
facturers' Record, OF Baltimore. His
last letter 10 friends in this city was
dated Dallas. Tex.
The other nephew. Daniel OFT Helper
is a farmer at Mocksville, n c. the
birthplace OF the dead man. The niece is
Mrs. E ". MOOring, also Of Mocksville.
Mr.. Helper had been importuned many
times 10 go 20 North Carolina and pass
his remaining days IN quiet and COM
Tort owing 10 some estrangement be-
tween his brother. now dead. and him
self. he would not do so. but clung to
his dream Of the Three Americas Rail
way. spending every cent he could bor-
row to further the project.
Mailed Letter TO Friend.
Although the arrangement Of furn1-
ture and the precaution taken by him 10
prevent the escape Of gas to the corridor
are taken as evidence OF contemplated
suicide. It was learned last night he had
mailed a letter 10 a friend in East Wash
ington on the same evening. which fails
TO disclose any intention Of his 70 take his
life
The communication is incIosed with
two letters addressed 10 Charles Henry,
Treat, Treasurer of the United States
It closes with the request: please perusa
the two papers herewith inclosed and
retain them for me until shall have the
pleasure Of calling to see you in the
afternoon or in the evening Of to-mor-
row.
It had been the opinion Of his friends
Ior some time past that Mr.. Helner,s
mind was affected by the ballucinatioa
that had urged him forward for +ba
last thirty years. aud when word OF bjs
sudden death was circulated little e1,--
prise was manifested
Since his return 10 Washington NJ
Helper had been well known IN tho
streets. His six-feet-two-inch stature
and white hair won admiration yy-tila
ne would frequently approach his Friends
for loans. he was always desfrops 80
getting enormous sums TO push the raf1-
Way project One Of the letters fo11n5 IN
ms room was request Of $500 from
Treasurer Treat
Suoise circumstance brought
out oy his death was that he had re-
ceived all OF his mail ana occasio,,,',.
met friends az his rooms. S06 TweIftb
street northwest It was not until after
his death that his friends learned OF his
quarters In Pennsylvania avenue.
ASIDE from exploiting the greatness of
his project, Mr.. Helper was reticent and
uncommunicative about his fa0iI,, a.
falrs he had been in poor financial
straits Tor the last year. and the vener-
able diplomat had practically given nm sil
hope Of accomplishing his goal. Whom
last seen alive, Sunday night. he is said
10 have expressed dissatisfaction AT tbe
ways Of justice in the world"
Retained a Gold watch.
Throughout his years Of tribuIation.
and even when sunk almost in despaIr
Mr.. Helper did not part with a gold
watch and chain found upon his body
yesterday
Speaking OF the deceased man, DR.. W
4. Croffutt said:
Hinton Helper was kind and scholar
" gentleman. Throughout nv acouaint-
ance with him have never known him
20 be addicted 10 any vice Always gal
lant. he was well dressed and courtlv
even when stricken with poverty. His
sudden death is unfortunate and pa
thetic"
At the age Of nineteen years Mr.. Helper
was graduated from the Mocksville Acad-
emy. year later in 1919. he began a
trip TO California. by way OF Cape Horn.
After remaining on the Pacific Coast for
Few years. he came East. and in the
years intervening between that time and
;he war he journeyed to Europe, south
Arnarico ong f-foo