The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-10-20
STRANGER FOUND
DEAD IN STREET
RIG Nd. vA.-specia.-

X g II M . n ID, VA.-Special.-
An air of seeming impenetrable
xnystery surrounds the circumstances
attending the suicide Monday night of
an a. yet unidentified white man.
Otltgent inquiry on the part Of the po-
lice and Coroner William II. Taylor
has thus far failed to establish the
slightest clew that would lead to
identification.
The unconscious form Of the self
destroyer was discovered Monday
night lying PROSTATE in the street in
front of 21 North Seventeenth Street
Occupants Of the house, when ques-
toned by the police, could throw no
light on the presence OF the man in
the neighborhood.
An exhaustive search has thus far
failed TO disclose anyone who remem-
bers having ever seen the unfortu-
nate. BY his side when found was an
empty vial that had only a short time
before contained carbOlic acid. a
deadly poison. That the man met
his death by suicide there appears to
be not the slightest doubt.
An examination by DR.. Harsh
Darger, OF the city ambulance corps,
who was summoned. showed that
both the interior and exterior of the
mouth were frightfully scared by the
acid Splotches showing where the
poison had burned into the flesh are
also discernible about other portions
OF the face.
Upon the arrival of the ambulance
surgeon life was not quite extinct. but
1ast ebbing away. Despite heroic eff
dortS on the part of the inferno. death
In Its most frightful and agonizing
form ensued within a few minutes
after the arriva, OF medical assist
ance.
Coroner Taylor was summoned and
AFTER curSory examination. decided
poisoning and that the drug was
taken with suicidal intent.
The remains were turned over to |
Undertaken Woody and by him pre-
pared for burial The body has re-
manned at this establishment since
tuesday morning awaiting Identified
uon- A number who have relatives |
Or friends missing have called at the |
undertaking establishment. but so far
no one has been found who can iden- !
Coroner Taylor held an INQUEST
tuesday morning. the verdict of the
Jury being substantially the finding |
OF Coroner Taylor on the night of the |
tragedy.
The body will be held for a day
or two yet in order to afford ample |
time in which TO identify it.
Detective Sergeant John +. Wiley |
yesterday afternoon obtained a full |
and accurate description Of the SUI
There is a divergence Of opinion as
10 the occupation or vocation Of the
unfortunate. Some hold to the belief |
mat he was a sailor. in veiw of a |
number OF tattooed marks about his |
arms and a tanned complexion.
When found he was attired in the
garb of "A workingman.
The suicide appears to be about
thirty years Of age. In life he weighed |
probably $50 pounds and was of a |
magnificent physique. The shoulders |
are broad and the general contour OF |
the body is one Of erectness He
had soldierly bearing. which would !
seem to indicate that he was a sea- |
faring man. The hair is black. and |
is mixed with gray. The eyes are
dark
The suicide was attired in a light |
brown suit, OF what is known as a |
sale pepper pattern, and wore a |
black derby hat and patent leather /
shoes OF Y size. The face was smooth |
A tattoo in blue and red, in the form |
Of a fve-point star, was found on the |
-yfESht forearm, and a solid red star, !
with blue border, on the left forearm 1
The inside OF the left leg, between the |
knee and ankle. bears a burnt scar /
three and one-half inches in length. a |
similar scar is to be noticed on the |
high and prominent and denotes intel |
lectuality. The eyebrows are heavy and |
the eyes large, with dropping eyelids.
A fresh scar, having the appearances |
of a stab wound-whether self-infiicted |
or by an assailant cannot be determined |
was found in the palm of the left /
hand. between the index and forefnger. |
The only personal effects found upon |
the body were needle and a whisk |
broom.