Norwich bulletin., 1911-11-24
COMMITTED SUICIDE.
F. D. Barnes of pIainuiIe Ends Un- happy Existence by lnhaiing Gas While at Local Hotel.


 Thursday morning Max Markoff manager of the Irwin house, was greatly excited when he diScoyereC that a man had committed suicide H. his house some time during the night. The man was F. D. Barnes, who had hired a room at the hotel Tuesday evening and had registered again on Wednesday evening. Mir Markoff noti- fled Chief of Police E. H. Richmond Of his weird discovery and the chief call ed Medical Examiner Dr. Louis l. Ma son. The latter after viewing the body gave the cause of death as suicide by gas.
 It was apparent that the man in tended to put an end to himself, as he had purchased a quantity of rubber tubing, attached it to the gas jet in his room and then wound handker- chief around the jet besides to be sure to get the full benefit of the flow of gas. At the time he was found Thurs day morning one end of the rubber tubing was in his mouth He was well covered up with bedclothes.
 Two letters were found upon the dresser in the room. One was ad- dressed to F. A. Griswold. Connecticut agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company The letter stated that he was not living With ms wife and that both she and his rather had made life most unpleasant for him and he requested that the $500 due on his life be not paid to her. He had
  the letter of the fact that his wife had re fused to sign her name to the en- dorsement for an additional loan- He said that he had paid in something like S7O0 on the policy that had been in force for 5 years. He intimated that his relatives had also attempted to make him out a pickpocket, but "Thank God he had never been arrested and under the circumstances he believed it was best that it be ito Middletown' for him.
 Card to Coroner.
 A card addressed to the coroner said that his right name was on the hotel register. He requested that his son, Atyron Rogers, be notified of his death and also that D. r. Barnes of Plain ville- be notified The other letter found was addressed to D. F. Barnes, Plainville Ct, and was sealed Ap- parentIy there was some money in it.
 Manager Markoff said that the man came to the hotel early Wednesday evening and after registering ate hearty supper and then asked to be served with a rare steak, but this could rot be furnished. He paid for his room and went out Tor short time, but returned shortly after and went to his room The suicide was so well executed that while the ransom of the room was open. no odof Of gas was noted in the hallway
 When the medical examiner had viewed the body, he having taken charge of the mans effects. gave Chief Richmond authority to notify First Sc lectman R. F. Mitchell in order that hts might have the body properly cared for and the relatives notified. The man was about 50 years old, nicely dressed and bore no evidences whatever Of poor health.
 Family troubles were to all appear ances the cause of his rash act Card board pieces were found in his pockets that led the authorities to believe that h. had not long since been employed il, Providence I
 Nyron Rogers was talked with in Plainville and he said that he was not a son of the dead man, but only a neighbor, and said that he himself knew of no reason why MT. Barnes should commit suicide. He said he was a man who had the respect of all who knew him and that he had lived at his home in Plainville up to Tuesday. when he had gone away. He had been Level company's factory in New Brit ain and was an expert mechanic MT: Rogers said as far as he knew he had had no trouble with his wife.
 Leaves Wife and Three Children
 The mans father is Dwight Barnes, at one time a deputy sheriff Deceased, according to Mir. Barnes. had not been in good health for some time. and he Knew that his father had tried to get him to go to H hospital The news or lis act will astound the people ot PlainvilIe, said MT. Rogers MT Barnes lad been employed in New Britain for the past five years and had lived in FIainvilIe. which is but five miles dis tant He was a native of Bristol and besides a widow leaves three children. two daughters and a son. The eldest ii a daughter IS years of age
 The se1ectmen turned the body over to Funeral Director H. N. F'enn to pre- Dare for burial