South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-12

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der Their arms were locked about
each other in an attitude which
suggested that they had lain down
10 sleep in that position. Willis
eyes were open and neither face
was drawn or in any way distort-
ed
Last seen Sunday.
That the men were last seen alive
at the boarding house Of Mrs. Mary
Johnson. ia y Mill St. where they
took dinner Sunday noon, leads 10
the belief that they came 70 their
death between Sunday evening and
Monday afternoon Mrs. Gnbaugh
states that when she called other
roomers at O'Clock Monday morn
ing, she heard the deep breathing
Of the men and knew nothing Of
the tragedy until she stumbled up
on n in the afternoon.
Surprising that the men had gone
out, she opened the door and en-
tered after first knocking three or
four times. She sensed at once that
something was wrong and rushed
across the street 10 the police sta
ton where she explained. with diff
nculty what had occurred. Mrs.
Gubaugh did not know the name
| Of the strange man whom Higgin-
son had brought with him to his
room Sunday morning and it was
some time before his identity was
discovered.
Coroner T. J. Swantz. who was
notified shortly after, made pre-
/ liminary examination Of the bodies
and took the mysterious glass with
him for analysis. He stated that
death may have resulted from al
| cohOlic poisoning, but admitted
that the glass might have contain
ed either strychnine or prussic
/ acid. He made no attempt TO state
what the cause was, but minated
that it was probably poisoning
whether suicidal or accidental will
probably never be known.
No papers of any importance
p were found on the bodies In the
| pocket of Willis was a purse con-
tanning 1922. Both men were fair
b ~ well dressed. Their overcoats
had been thrown over the foot of
the unused bed in the room, APP
b parently when the men were sober
At noon Sunday they appeared to
be normal. Willis left his boarding
place at the home Of John King.
$50 +. Sixth St, early Sunday
morning, saying that he had an in
vitation out for dinner, and did not
return after that In all prObabil
ity the men went up TO Higginson's
room Immediately after eating and
proceeded to get rid of the liquor
secured Saturday night.
Poison Theory Likely.
Tt is unlikely that death could
have come from the liquor they had
taken. as the contents of one flask
of whisky and three or four pint
bottles Of beer would not have
killed both Their attitude would
suggest a suicide pact or a drunk
en- stupor in which death might
have come from some poison acct
dentally taken. No verdict has
been rendered and a post norton
examination and inquest will prob,
ably take place today. The bodies
were removed to the Finch and
Sprague undertaking establish
ment.
Higginson is we'll known about
town. having several times fallen
into difficulties which led 10 the
courts. His wife secured d divorce
from him on the grounds OF cruelty.
and he had repeatedly threatened
her life lie is survived by four
children. a son. Hale, and three
daughters. Amber, Ruth and Bea-
tricc, and one sister. He was prob
ably between a. and so years old
Willis has daughter, Mrs.
Charles De Bard, who lives i'm
South Bend. and a son in Elgin. III.
He has lived at the King home for
the past several weeks and was en-
ployed at the Rubber ReEenerat-
ing Co. COINS there from the Dodge
Co His habits were apparently
steady and there is no known rea-
son why either he or Higginson
should have entered into a suicide
pact. lie appeared 10 be about 50
years old.
Called House of Mystery.
The house in which the tragedy
occurred has been called Nishawa-
/ Ntt nDASt Ol lllNSltlN- r Otai
deaths OF an unnatural or myster-
ious nature have occurred there
within the past two years. Mrs
IGilbaughs husband drank carbolic
acid and died there a year ago last
August and 10 days following that
a young man by the name of Lamb
was found i'm one of the upper
sleeping rooms apparently dead
from gas poisoning. Mrs. Gnbaugh.
who has two small children 20 sup
port. is greatly overwrouEht by the
affair and suffering from nervous
shock as the result Of the gruesome
discovery.
Several weeks ago the life of Mrs.
Gubaugh was endangered by
former roomer John O'Keefe. who
attacked Ezra Henry with a ham
mer when he interfered and Sc
Iverely injured him O'Keefe is
now waiting trial in the circuit
court for assault and battery with
intent TO kill.
That the place is peculiarly un-
fortunate is evident from the many