The Washington herald., 1909-08-30
WADE LOCKS DOOR
THEN TURNS ON GAS
Manager of Bowling Alley
Found Almost Dead.
POLICEMAN AIDS IN RESCUE
Summoned by FeIIOw-bOardeP Of
Gustave Wade, Policeman CrOnie
smashes in Door and Applies
Heroic Remedies-Yictim Taken to
Hospital and May Recover.

Policeman J. ". cronie. OF the First
precinct, yesterday saved the life Of Gus
tave Wade, forty years old, who at
tempted suicide by inhaling Illuminating
gas.
Wade is manager OF the Palace bowling
alleys at 9l4 street northwest, and is
well known in Washington, especially
among the sporting fraternity. He
boards at us Ninth street northwest. It
was in his room at the boarding house
that Wade attempted to end his life
About 5:S0 o'clock IN the afternoon J.
4. Stewart, an official in the War De-
partment, who occupies the room adjofn-
ing that Of Wade, approached Police
man Cronie at Ninth and G streets north
west. saying "A man Just committed
suicide up the street. Cronie and Stew
art ran 10 the house and up the steps to
the second floor.
The atmosphere In the hall was charged
with the odor Of gas, and a group OF
men and women boarders stood before a
locked door in the hallway, eagerly walt
Ing the arrival Of a policeman. He's IN
that ROOM some one said, and Cronie
put his shoulder 20 the door. The lock
gave way with a crash, Cronie STUN
bling forward into the darkened room
almost overcome.
Was Lying on the Floor.
Wade, clad only IN a nlghtshirt. was
huddled on the floor against the door Of
a closet Gas flowed from an open iet
from which the tip had been taken
Cronie first shut of the gas. Then he
tore aside the lowered window shade and
threw up the sash. Lifting the mani
mate body. Cronie carried Wade 20 the
open window. The policeman placed the
body so the head was outside Of the win
dow. the back resting on the sill ana the
feet on the floor.
a pitcher Of iced water was handed
him, and he forced some between the lips.
lie ordered a hurry call sent to Emer-
gency Hospital and while awaiting the
arrival OF the ambulance continued his
efforts 20 resuscitate Wade.
The wOuld-be suicide showed no sign
Of lie He was unconscious. and Cronie
could not feel either heart or pulse heat
For ten minutes the policeman labored
over the unconscious man. and then a
physician arrived. He made q cursorv
examination OF the patient and ordered
him removed 70 the ambulance. While
Wade was being carried downstairs the
physician said to Cronle. I believe you
saved him.
consciousness Regained.
While a hurry run was being made 70
the hospital the phyicians worked over
Wade who did not regain consciousness
until more than an hour after he was
carried to the hospital 1T was a close
shave" said the physician, after Wade
opened his eyes and looked around.
Il is believed Wade viii recover. though
his condition is critical. He was too weak
TO talk Of the case. and the physicians
did not trouble him 10 ask his name or
address, obtaining this information from
another source According to the police.
Wade's mother and sister live in Alex
aneria. They had not been located at a
late hour. II Is said Wade is married.
His wife is said 10 live in a Northern
city. but the report was not confirmed.
Wade wrote no notes or letters ex-
planning his act The cause for his wish
TO die was not learned by the police. and
friends Of the despOndent man refuse
70 talk Of the case Wade left the board
ing-house about 9 o'clock in the morning
and did not return until o'clock IN the
afternoon He was heard as he ascended
the steps and went in his room II was
more than three hours later that the land
lady. walking through the hall detected
the odor Of gas and called 70 Stewart.
who found the gas was coming from
Wades room, and then summoned a po-
liceuan.