The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-18
SOLDIER ENDS LIFE
AFTER DISCHARGE
DeSpOndent Enlisted Nan
Commits Suicide.
CAREER RUINED BY DISEASE
John c. LouShran, Thirty-three
Years Old, Prefers Death TO Life
where AiIment of Heart Compelled
His Retirement from Army IN
Which He Had Great Prospects.

Heart-broken because his career III the
army had been ended b. d supposedly
incurablo disease John c. Loughran.
thirty-three years old. locked himself in
room at his home. ID Ninth street
southeast. yesterday afternoon and in
haied Illuminating gas until lie was ex-
tinct
The body. still warm. was discovered by
the aged mother Of the suicide. Il was
on bed. the hands crossed on the chest,
and q smile on the quieted features.
The woman realized her fears OF the
last few days had been fulfilled. and fell
PROSTATE across the body, utJering one
heart-rending scream before she became
unconscious. \ negro servant heard the
cry. and went out for help.
Physicians were the first 10 arrive. They
found Loughran was beyond human aid,
and turned their attention 10 the stricken
mother. The police followed the ply
sicians. and investigated the death Of
Loughran TO see If any untoward circum-
stances surrounded #.
DespOndent over Discharge.
After the police. the coroner arrived.
and issued a certifc. ath by sui
eide. This formality completed, the body
was placed In charge Of relatives, who
ordered Il removed 10 an undertaking
establishment Arrangements for the
funeral viii probably be made to-day.
The death OF Loughran excited the
sympathy Of every one who knew why
the young man preferred death 10 lie
Until five months ago he was a soldier
In Uncle Sans army, and considered
by his superiors one Of the best among
the enlisted men-a solder who would
be promoted steadily IN time Of peace
and would gain distinction and honor
IN time of war.
Loughran was happy and enthusiastic
and loved the army life. He never com
planned. and was always laughing and
jovial-one Of the most popular men IN
his troop. But an enemy which Lough-
ran had feared for q long time was at
work. and one day a surgeon told the
young soldier he was unit for duty be-
cause Of q serious arment OF the heart
Loughran was almost stricken dumb by
the information. In a second he saw his
future, his pet aims and ambitions, his
schemes, and MS plans Of a lifetime
wiped out. lie was allowed TO serve out
bis enlistment, and was given n ceTtlf-
cate Of honorable discharge n New York
City. He wrote to his father. Daniel
Loughran. an employee at tn Pension Of
fee. and told the aged man the news.
In his letter the son showed how much
the blow had been to him, and he de-
cliped to return home at that time pre-
ferring to remain in New York. His
brother, a lawyer in Washington. IS
known as one OF the reading attorneys in
this city Two sisters. who are now tour
ing in the North. wrote in vain TO their
brother asking that he return home. It
was not until Sunday last that Loughran
appeared at the home Of his father and
mother.
Refused All Comfort.
He appeared despondent and efforts OF
his father and mother 70 comfort him
were unavaIling. Loughran refused TO
listen to consoling words. and sought
the solitude Of his own room. He ap-
peared at breakfast yesterday morning.
and was about the house until 8 o'clock
when he went TO his room on the second
floor. He undressed. laid his clothes care
fully in a bureau drawer. and donaed a
nightshirt. Then he closed the door and
windows in the room, and opened two
gas Jets. When the deadly fumes began
to fill the room Loughran lay down on
the bed, crossed MS hands on his chest.
and smiled while death claimed him.
BIacISistone's Floral Designs
Are magnificent Choice flowers. 14th & Il