The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-03-08
Committed
'''''' suicide
Owensboro Physician Ends
His Life.
Could Not Overcome Habit For
Strong Drink and Made Up
Mind to End All.

holiieS, OF OWcnSDoro, inc inquirer
Monday said:
After finishing two pages on let.
Insurance policies and notes that he
held, and also "a few lines bequeathing
certain property to his wife. and then
calling his wife over the telephone
from mas office. telling her goodbye.
DIR. w. l.. Holmes. one of the most
prominent and well known physicians
of Owensboro and Daviess county
committed suicide shortly after
O'Clock this morning by swallowing
nearly the entire contents of a four
ounce bottle of carbolic acid. Death
must have been almost instantaneous,
struggle. and when found by his
brother James Holmes. and his son
J. l.. Holmes. the doctor was lying on
his back with his legs crossed closely
at the bottom and his hands clasped
across his breast.
That DIR. Holmes had intended taxi
ing his life. there can be no question,
as everything had been decided upon.
as shown from his actions. The fur
Their fact that he doubtless saw that
1t was impossible for him to overcome
his thirst for strong drink fastened
him to end his life.
DR.. Holmes moved his family to Ow-
ensboro about three months ago. hav-
ing purchased the handsome residence
OF W. 5. Dean on Frederick court.
He opnced up his office In the rear
of DIR. II. l.. Bccker's office at the cor
ner of Fourth and Frederick streets.
He continued the practice throughout
the Utica and Moselcyville neighbor-
hoods. and during the past ten days
he had been constantly on the go.
day and night.
On last Thursday DIR. Holmes hal
a call out I'm the Handyvlle neighbour
hood which required his attention
nearly the entire night. Upon his re-
turn home, he was completely worn
out, and was suffering greatly with
nervousness. Believing that a drink
of whiskey would quiet his nerves he
took a small dram. which was the
beginning of the sad catastrophe that
Caused him to take his life.
At one time DIR. Holmes was an ex-
cessive drinker. but last December
three years ago. he made up his mind
to cease the habit. and told his wife,
SO 1t is said. that II he ever took an
other drink he would end his life.
DIR. Holmes continued to take his
drinks. and for the past four days
has been under the influence Of liquor
and SO much on Sunday that his
actions were very noticeable not only
to his family but to his friends as
well.
AT s o'colck this morning DIR.
Holmes arose and left his home and
came at once to his office. AS soon
as his wife discovered his absence
she at once became uneasy and tels-
phoned to Col. Holmes residence
thinking that he had gone over to see
Ills father, but she was informed that
he had not been there. Mrs. Holmes
then sent her son James to the office.
and he found his father sitting at the
desk writing. DIR. Holmes told his son
to return home and tell his mother
to have breakfast ready by o'clock
as he would be there by that time.
Before the young man had time to
get home. DIR. Holmes went over to
Danhauer's drug store and purchased
a four-ounce bottle Of carbolic acid.
The young clerk did not ask DIR.
Holmes for what purpose he wanted
the poison. which L. very rarely ask
ed when purchased by physicians.
Upon returning to his office. DIR.
Holmes called up his wife over the
telephone and said goodbye" He
then went to his couch. and with the
exception OF about one table spoonful
OF the poison poured In into glass
and swallowed 1t.
When DIR. Holmes told his wife
goodbye" she knew that something
terrible was going to happen. and she
sent her son. who had just entered the
house, over to Col. Holmes residence,