The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-05
Planned His Suic do Before He
Came to Topeka.
STAID AT THE HOTEL
Gave Out M Word to Friends
of Arrival.
Brief History of the Suicides
Life.


suicide at the National hotel Monday
afternoon by taking a large dose O.
strychnine, and later putting two bull
lets in his body, came to Topeka fol
the avowed purpose of committing sui
eide, is the general belief of his many
friends in Topeka.
1t is SAID that Daniels came to To
peka Monday morning from Oklahoma
City. but his friends believe that he
was in Kansas City before coming here
a number of Topeka men were in Kan
sas City Saturday afternoon, and Dan
iels was seen by them in his customary
ioaf;ng places. and seemed tc be as
cheerful as ever.
Since leaving Topeka five or six years
ago, on account of. his troubles with
the local police, Daniels has claimed
Kansas City as his residence. He was
married a second time about five years
ego. and Ills wife was in Kansas City
at the time of the suicide. AS soon as
the tragedy at the National became
known to his friends, Mrs. Daniels
was informed by long distance phone
Mrs Daniels herself responded to the
phone call, but as soon the news
was told her, she fell in a swoon, and
1T required several hours to revive her
However she came 20 Topeka last nlght
and will have charge of the remains of
her husband.
1t is rumored that Daniels and his
wife had been having some BILE, but
Ter actions since the sue de would
discredit any rumorS OF that kind. HIS
wife was former Topeka girl.
Daniels lgs' previous visit to Topeka
was about year ago. For the past
five years although he has Travelled
good deal, he has made only infreQuent
visits to Topeka. He always notified
his friends as soon as he reached the
city, and his presence was always the
r. hi frin dc
On this visit however. not d friend
knew that he was in the city, and this
strengthens the belief that he came
here with no other intention than to
bring about his own Self-deStruct1on.
Started Theatrical Career in 1904.
According to the messages which he
left explaining his suicide, unsuccessful
ventures in the theatrical world, were
largely responsible. Daniels started his
theatrical career in Topeka during the
winter of 1904-05. when he organized
bprIesque company, that played a whole
season at the Gaiety theater, which is
now known as the Elite. This COM
pany was a money-Inaker from the
cry performance. ct the close of the
season he took his company to Pueblo.
but went broke there. and went to
other parts of the country. At one
time he was down in Florida, but his
last ventures were in Little Rock. He
went there last spring and started a
moving picture theater. which made big
money. He was not content with one
theater and soor branched out. secur |
ing FIVE or six houses. The string of
theaters could not be as easily man |
aged as one, and Daniels lost a pile |
of money on the venture. This was his |
last theatrical enterprise.
Daniels was Topeka boy, and had |
spent nearly all of his life in the city |
until he left five years ago. He was
a bright mischievous youngster all his |
life, brimful of fun, and of a sunny |
disposition. In the latter part of the |
zoos he commenced the sowing of |
hibitory law was not enforced here, he
followed the occupation OF bar
keeper.
Arrested for Selling Liquor.
Daniels was arrested several times
after his acQuittal on liquor selling
charges, and he had several charges of
this kind hanging over him at the
police station at the time of his death.
His visits to Topeka during the past
few years, Have been of short duration
and known only to his intimate friends.
AS soon as he would feel suspicious
that the police knew he was here, he
would take the next train for Kansas
City. About three years ago the police
were hot on his trail but he managed
to get away.
Daniels was a bright young man
about thirty years of age. He was I'M
usually shrewd in his business ven
lures. He was a real friend to his i'm
mediate circle of acquaintance, and
would have spent his last dollar to |
help a friend in need. Among his
friends his business integrity was un-
questioned 1t is said that while run
ming the famous old Owl restaurant
here, that he contracted heavy debts, |
and that last spring he still owed one
Topeka friend over a thousand dollars,
but this amount was all paid before he
died. and as far as is known he had
NOT a single creditor in the city.
Daniels was a nice looking young
man He was of medium height,
clear light complexion, light hair. and
was always an attractive dresser. He
dressed in black. and was always seen
with diamonds on his person.
The Daniels family came to Topeka
q small boy. The father was news
PAPER reporter. He afterward became
q inflated with a secret order as organ
Ter and died in Omaha about three
-ears ago At one time Roy went to
York IN the storehouse of the Santa
Re and stayed there for three years,
later going to Beaumont, Texas, where
he worked for the Santa Fe for year.
A sister Mabel Daniels, who was still
In her teens, died about ten years ago.
1be only survivor of the family is the |
,oofher who is now on her way home
from a visit to her old home in Ger
ranv She is expected to land in New |
work october IT, and although in one
~ the notes which he left he asked to
he buried Immediately, it is likely that
the body will be held until her ar
riy DR.. Keith, coroner, will hold no in
quest