Evening star., 1914-02-04
THREE NEAR TO DEATH
FROM EFFECTS OF GAS
David N. Oliver, Despondent. At.
tempts Asphyxiation Of Self
and Children.
Desertion by Wife and Lack Of
Money and Employment
Ascribed as Cause

out OF money. unable 10 find employ
ment. deserted by his wife and unao,.
to take care OF his two children. Davio
n. Oliver. a stonecutter. last night turned
on the gas in the room he and the chr
dren have occupied at the home OF WI
liam Lindgren. 2i5 list street northwes;
in the effort TO put an end to his troubles
When Lindgren shortly before
O'Clock this morning detected the o6o,
Of escaping gas. traced it 10 the door or
the room occupied by Oliver and BROKE
open the door, he found the father ara
his two sons, Howard, eight years old
and Norman. six years old. unconscious
from the effects of the gas A cali TO tli-
sixth precinct police station brought po-
liceman Saunders 10 the house. and the
two boys We're hurried 10 Emergenc,
Hospital. At the hospital It was stated
that although the lads had had a narrow
escape from death by asphyxiation they
would recover
Oliver Arrested.
Oliver was arrested by Policeman Saun-
ders and was charged with having At
tempted TO end the lives of his sons
According to the Policeman. Oliver I'D
mitted that he had tried to kill himself
and the two boys. giving as the reason
for his act the fact that his wife had
deserted him. lie said further that he
was unable to lind employment and be
ileved death was the only solution OF hts
troubles.
To reporter for The Star, Oliver stat
ed today that his wife. Mrs. Tillie Oliver.
is daughter of Louis Weichman OF
Portsmouth. Ohio Three months ago. he
said. she left him and the two boys while
they were in Bedford, Ind. where Oliver
was Employed in the stone quarries. say
ing she was going to her home for .
visit.
once with her parents, Oliver said
his wife refused to return TO him
Then, he said, he came to Washington
in the hope that relatives here would
be able to help him take care of the
two small boys. The expected aid.
however, was not forthcoming and
being moneyless and unable TO find work.
oliver said he determined last night
to put end to his troubles.
Drinks to Steady His Nerves.
He stated he took few drinks OF
liquor to steady his nerves. Later. after
the two boys We're asleep. he said. he
turned on the gas.
A few days ago. oliver said, his
niece, Miss Pearl oliver IF Ridgeway.
Ill, wrote that she would come to
Washington to keep house for him.
Being without funds and unable to
furnish home. he said. he wired her
yesterday to remain at her home.
Oliver stated that his older boy was
born at Richmond. Va. the younger being
born at Woodbridge. near Mount Rainier.
He said that several years ago he lived
with his family at Woodbridge. at Lang
don and at 1u9 + street northwest A
brother. L. w. Oliver. he said, lives In
South Washington.
Shortly before noon today the two boys
We're removed from Emergency Hospital
to the Children's Hospital. Or. Lewis OF
Emergency Hospital said the boys were
suffering from severe colds. and their ex-
perience last night had aggravated their
condition.
Wife Is Notified.
Inspector Boardman, chief Of de-
tectives. today sent messenger to Mrs,
Oliver at Portsmouth, Ohio, telling her Of
the attempt of her husband to kill himself
and the two boys. He also informed her
of the present whereabouts and condition
of the children. and il is thought she will
come to Washington to take charge OF