Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-15
THOUGHT IT A JOKE
Suicide Falls Dead as ReveI-
ers Scatter Confetti.
TRAGEDY IN A BARR0OM
Varnish Dealer Swallows Poison in
Glass of Seltzer.
THINGS WERE GOING WRONG
Business Failure and Failing Health
Reason Given by D. W. Clark
for lf-Destruction.
THINGS WERE GOING WRONG
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, September 1.-THE tap-
room of the Prince George Hotel at IA
East 2Sth street. was the scene of a sui
eide this morning. The man who put an
end to his life chose cyanide Of potassium.
Enough to kill several men dropped into
a glass of settler. a swallow and he fell
to the floor. dying almost instantly. 1t
had happened as quickly as If he had
been shot through the heart. And the
last thing the man said, a remark made
to the bartender, contained note of op-
timism.
Things" he said, as he raised the glass
of seltzer and peered at 1t a moment be-
fore drinking it, have not been breaking
just right for me. but I guess they will
brighten up soon.'
But the note the man left on a table,
a note addressed to the coroner-explained
that his death was not due to natural
causes even if the odor of peach kernels
on his breath had not betrayed the ma
ture of the drug. Il have taken cyanide
Of potassium he wrote frankly. At the
bottom Of the note he had put a refer
ence. after signing his name. The refer
ence was the Second National Bank.
Inc man was DdVlQ w. clark, uItys
eight years old, who is believed to have
been in the varnish business. and to have
had considerable means For four months
he had made his home at III East 10Th
street.
1t was about 1 clock this morning that
Clark appeared in the hotel barroom.
He was a frequent visitor there. Entering
the hotel this morning he paused to ask a
write letter. The bellbOy, who knew
him, got the paper, and little later
passed the table at which Clark sat, hav-
ing just finished penning the letter to the
coroner AS the boy went by he asked:
Shall l mail the letter for you, Mr..
Clark?'
No; I'll attend to it myself was the
reply
Putting the letter in his pocket. Clark
stepped to the bar and ordered a sand
wich and glass of beer.
Threw Confetti Over Him.
Just then two automobiles rolled up to
the door. Out of them sprang number
of young men and women. laughing and
singing. The women entered the farther
side of the hotel. and the young men.
with many jests and hurting confetti they
had secured at Coney Island in every di-
rection, burst into the cafe.
They feel happy: l don't" said Mr. |
Clark. Here. George, bring .me a stif
drink of whisky with seltzer chaser.
Hurry 1t along"
The whisky came. and Clark gulped I
It down with one swallow. Then he took !
a vial from his pocket. the contents OF
which he emptied into the seltzer glass. /
The crowd supposed it some medicine. As
he raised the glass to his lips he rose
to his feet. The young men scattered the !
confetti all over him and colored ribbons /
were bound about him. Clark hesitated
a second and swallowed the water. He |
dropped the glass and 1t crashed to the !
floor. A few seconds later Clark sank to |
his knees. The young men thought he |
was acting a playful part and hurled |
more confetti.
The bartender ran to Clark He at. !
tempted to raise him to his feet. Then |
he called Manager Cook of the hotel, and |
DR.. Ross Mcpherson was summoned The 1
Coney Island jewellers were still In the
cafe when the doctor entered. One look !
at Mr.. Clark and he said:
THE man is dead"
Revelers Grew Suddenly Serious.
Then the revelers filed slowly from the I
cafe. Taeyscalled to the =fpppEsgemsq.I