The Washington herald., 1909-04-07

Discovery OF a mans body In a den
like room in the heart Of the business
section Of Washington yesterday after
noon brought TO light the story OF the
life OF a hermit whose existence was
known only 10 a few persons.
At the intersection Of two small. dark
alleys IN the middle Of the block bounded
by Eighth. Ninth. D and f streets north
west IS a small stone structure. prob
ably built about the time OF the civil
war The top floor Of the building IS
occupied by painters. who also have a
shop al 452 Eighth street northwest
The ground floor was occupied by the
man whose body now rests In the morgue.
His name was Ambrose d. Bagby. which
was also the name Of a Well-to-do res
ident OF Washington some years ago. a
man who had a comfortable home. a wife
and little boy
The wife and the boy. who is about
eleven years old, are said stiH to live IN
this city, but the husband has not lived
with them for years Il is said that
shortly after he left his wife he started
drinking and lost his position. Years
passed. and one day a man stumbled into
the alley opening in z street. He found
a room unoccupied on the ground floor
OF the stone building at the corner Of
the alley. and went to sleep there.
Decides 10 Occupy Room.
Days passed. and no one appeared 20
disturb him. so the wanderer decided 10
live in the room Il IS lighted By a
single window. which admits little light.
because OF the accumulation Of dirt on
the panes. A door leads from the alley
into low-ceiinged apartment. bounded
By stone walls and a dirt floor.
Il was in this room that Ambrose
Bagby spent the last two years Of his
life. He seldom ventured from the squat
or and filth into the light Of day. and was
known only n n few men employed near
by Where he obtained food was g
mystery 10 the Few who knew him.
According 20 those who were familiar
with the sight OF the bent form OF the
recluse. he consumed large quantities OF
alcohol. which he used as a bevera &c
after Re stopped drinking whisky Il Is
also said he resOrted 20 drugs when al
cohol failed 70 appease his appetite.
Among his few friends was Allen Car
ter. who discovered the body about Z
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. When Car
ter did not receive the usual reply 70
his summons. he opened the door.
Lying on his back on q dilapidated
couch, nalf covered with soiled rags and
blankets. and almost hidden from sight by
old clothing hanging from nails IN the
rafters above. was the body OF Bagby
He was lying on his left side with his
face toward the ceiling, showing a sash
IN his throat.
Ended Life with Razor.
II one hand was a razor. a mute testi-
mony OF the means Of the suicide. b
the side Of the couch on the floor was 4
large battered tn bucket. showing how
carefully Bagby planned HIS end.
Carter was startled by the sight. and
while he stood looking. a half starved cat
ran from beneath the couch and da-tet
through the open door. frightening tbs
man so he hastily retreated. He notified
the police. and By his excited narrative
Of the discovery II was thought a murder
had been committed.
Detectives Berman and Cox went 10 tho
room 10 make an Investigation. The de,
tectives found a small piece Of soiled pa
per on which was scrubbed the briel
message No one 10 blame Bagbv-r
The police are not Of the opinion BqRhy
met foul play. and Il is probable a Ger.
tihcate Of death by suicide will be ISSUED
by Coroner j. Ramsey hewitt
II is thought Bagby ended his life som,
time Monday night