Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-11-15
HARRY PuMRoY
TAKES OWN LIFE.
WAITER CARRIES OUT PLANS OF
SELF DESTRUCTION RY DRINK
ING cARHoLlc ACID.
BABE FRIENDS GOODBYE
Suicide Took Place In Apartments in
the Presence Of Harry Her.
man Who Tried to
Save Him.

While temporarily insane, Harry
Pumroy, aged %, q waiter, ended his
life Saturday afternoon by drinking
the contents Of a bottle of carbolic
acid. The suicide occurred about $3.50
o'clock at his room, 800 East Fourth
street Pumroy committed suicide in
the presence Of his friend, Harry Her
man, who was lying in bed ill. When
Herman found that Pumroy had swal
lowed the carbolic acid, he hurried out
of bed, went down stairs, got some
milk and eggs and gave them to Pun
roy as an antidote. A physician was
called, but the drug had taken effect.
Pumroy lapsed into Inconsistencies,
and died soon after.
Had Talked Of Suicide.
That Pumroy had talked of self de-
struction was brought out at the in
quest held Saturday evening at the
9. I. Sullivan undertaking parlors by
Coroner A. w. Slaught The young
mans companions gave testimony that
he had often talked of suicide although
they thought he was joking as he was
always Of jovial disposition. That
the suicide was premeditated was
shown by the fact that Pumroy had
purchased the carbolc acid about a
week ago.
He was employed at the Wapello
restaurant and worked up to O'Clock
Saturday afternoon. He then went to
q pool hall where he played a few
games of pool with some friends. After
the games had been concluded, he
gave his friend who was with him,
his theater tickets, babe him goodbye
and went to his room.
Was Thoughtful! Of Friend.
Upon reaching his apartments he
went to the room of one of his fellow
walters, for few minutes and then
went to his own room. Herman, who
had been ill, was in the room and the
door was locked When Pumroy came
up, Herman opened the door and let
him in Pumroy asked Herman how
he was feeling. Shortly after Herman
heard the bottle drop to the floor and
Pumroy seemed to be choking. He
asked Pumroy if he had taken the car
bolic acid and the latter answered in
the Affirmative and fell to the floor.
Took the Antidote.
Herman ran for assistance and Sc
curing the milk and eggs gave them
to Pumroy. He seemed willing to
drink the contents but to no avail. He
soon expired. The remains were re-
moved to the Sullivan undertaking
parlors where the inquest was held. E.
H. Mather, H. M. slaught and L. l..
Lghtner composed the coroner's jury.
After hearing the evidence of Harry
Herman and other companions OF
Pumroy, the jury rendered a verdict
that the deceased came to his death
by drinking carbolic acid while tenn
porarily insane.
The remains were latter removed to
the home of the decedent's parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Levi Pumroy, four miles
southwest of the city. Pumroy was a
waiter and had been employed in num-
erous restaurants about the city. He
was very popular. Friends were
greatly shocked when they heard Of
his tragic death by suicide.
1t is said that young Pumroy worried
over love al-air which caused him to
commit suicide
Funeral services we're held from the
Rev. S. Isaac Elder, pastor of the
Davis Street Christian church con-
Quoted raIvlces. The funeral was
largely att ended by friends. Inter
ment was made in the Shaul cemetery.