The Washington times., 1912-03-08
AGED MAN ENDSLIFE
AS NEWS Of GOOD
FORTUNE ARRIVES
Found Dead When Lodgers
Come to Tell Him of
$4,000 Legacy.

Within few hours of the time ap-
pointed for him to receive a legacy of
$4,000, which would have relieved his
destitute condition, Warren T. Heb
bard, siXty-four years old. for many
years liveryman in this city, was
found dead this morning from the ef-
fects of Illuminating gas
After an investigation into the cir
cumstances attending the death of
the aged man, Coroner Nevitt came
to the conclusion that Hebbard had
committed suicide and gave a verdict
to that effect. Brief funeral services
for the suicide will be held tomor-
row afternoon, at 4 o'clock, at Glen
wood Cemetery, where interment will
be made
Evidently the victim of the tragedy
could not stand the despondency caus-
ed by poverty any longer despite the
fact that he knew relief would come
in short time. The legacy to which
he was an heir was left to him by an
aunt who died several months ago
in New York.
Repeatedly since the news came to
him that he would soon receive the
money the aged man had visited
lawyers, returning to his home after
each visit crestfallen and respondent
because of postponement of the set
Element. Last night he informed those
about him that his troubles were
soon to be over as his lawyers had
told him during the afternoon he
would get the money in a few days.
Though inmates of the house where
the aged man has lived for the past
six weeks knew nothing Of any pre-
Vious attempt of the old man to die,
the investigation of the Coroner dis
closed that several weeks ago he had
attempted to sever an artery in his
wrist, and was treated for the wound
at the office of physician.
he thanked the doctor at that time
for saving his life, according to the
police, and said that he was sorry
that he had been guilty of his rash
act because he was soon to be able
to live happily.
Hebbard was discovered lying in the
bed of a little hall room at the room
ing house of w. II. Tracy, at l109 II
street northwest. The gas jet of a
small stove was turned on, and both
the window and door of the room were
securely fastened.
Mrs. Jacob Broadbent, another room
er at the house, went to the aged mans s
room to tell him that an attorney would
call on him this morning to have him
sign papers that would have relieved
his distressed circumstances She
knocked at the door and receiving nc
response. summoned Mr.. Tracy, who
conducts the house. Together they
forced the door, and discovered the
tragedy
Dr.. llerhy, Emergency Hospital sur
geon. said life had teen extinct for
some time. The police were hnsnedi-
ately notified, and Coroner hewitt start
I'd an investigation into the eircum-
stances of the mans death.
Roomers in the house told the police
that the man had been desrcrdent ever
since he took up his occupancy there
Ills dcspondencv, according to rela-
tves. was not due alone to his desti-
tilte condition, but also to the death OF
his wife. BebbHrd complained often OF
being lonely, but seemed TO be in ex.
cellent cheer until several weeks ago
when his two sons, who are members
Of a vaudeville troup. filled an engage.
IHent at n local theater.
When the sons left the CITY and the
old man again found himself alone. he
became more deSpondert. He made
threats to end his life. his friends say
r. II. Klopfer, a brother-jn- law. or,
dered an undertaken to teke charge OF
the body as soon as the coroner gives
permission.