The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-01
INSURANCE. EXPIRING,
ARRANGES TO CARRY
POLICY Over A DAY

years deputy clerk OF the
United States court in Taco
ma, who served n recent term
of one year in the McNeil's
island penitcntiary for di-
verting federal funds, was
found dead in bed in his
apartments at the Exeter, 9th
and j streets, at 4; 80 o'clock
today.
On a small stand beside the bed
stood a partially drained glass,
containing a colorless, odorless
fluid.
A cluster OF crystals covered
the bottom of the glass.
BY cursory examination, the
coroner today decided that
Bridges had taken combined
solution of strychnia and bichlo-
ride of mercury. His lips and
chin were burned, and his tongue
was almost bitten In two by the
/, sudden contraction of his jaw
muscles.
Uncertainty whether his death
was suicide was cleared up late
this forenoon by the discovery of
sealed note to Mrs. Bridges bid
ding her farewell,
A telegram from Mrs. Bridges,
former Portland society girl, who
has been visiting her relatives in
Portland for several days, caused
the discovery of Bridges death.
Telephone Unanswered.
Friends had tried to telephone
the former federal court clerk
several times yesterday and re-
ceived no response.
When a telegram came for
Bridges today, and no response
could be induced from the apart
ments, a janitor forced his way
into the Bridges rooms.
He lay in bed, partially dress
ed, wearing bathrobe and slip
pers. Death had occurred at
least 36 hours earlier.
Mrs. Bridges travelled south
with the family Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Jack Donnelly, who left last week
on a motor trip to Kansas City.
PrOlongs Stay.
She spent several days with
relatives in Portland and her tele-
gram, which came after Bridges
death. announced that she had
decided to remain day longer in
Portland but would leave for
home today.
II would be glad II you would
meet me-" concluded her tele.
gram.
Bridges was suspended from
federal service four years age
after federal examiners had dis.
covered discrepancy in his fin.
ancial records.
Felt Disgrace Keenly.
After a LONG. delay, he was tried
and convicted. Judge Cushmar
sentenced him to IS months i'm.
prisonment.s~.-...~ 49, ga
At the end of IS months
Bridges was released. Since .thai
time he has. lived in Tacoma, ap
parently detected and gloom,
over the disgrace Of his peniten
tiary term. ~ ~ (. e.ls ~
Friends say that he, has been {
different man since leaving pris
on, and that his gloom has in
creased steadily. ~ -
Guilt Technical. -.
Bridges sentence to McNeil'l
island much arusedf his man,
friends. who believed he had no
been treated Justly.
The bank in which he. was EN-
powered. as federal court clerk
to deposit court moneys, wal
bonded to take a limited amount
of federal funds. psss
When Bridges received a iudg
ment of over 100000. to be hello
In tGust during the pendancy Of
an Important case, he found thai
he could, not deposit the money
under the federal account, SO, OF
advice of a banker friend, he tenn
porarily placed 1t in his persona
account. 1890
Government investigators dis
covered the act, and had him ar
rested. .,s..s.. s4tas
Bridges did not gain a penn,
by the act, II was alleged, and
had no criminal intent. But HI
was guilty, at least, OF violation
of technical court rule, and wal
sent to prison.