The Washington times., 1920-06-25
PARSONS HAD GAY (.
Time BEFORE DEATH
Suicide Enjoyed Drinks and
Theater Party on Evening
Preceding Tragedy.

NEW YORK. June u2o-Wiiliam W.
crocker. banker and intimate friend
OF Henry Humphrey Parsons, an at
torney, who committed suicide last
Thursday. told the coroner at New
Rochelle, N. Y, yesterday that he was
Parsons companion the night before
the tragedy.
Crocker said he and Parsons had
hve drinks during the evening. but
that neither was intoxicated. ana that
Parsons seemed happy. He also told
OF a call they made at the home OF a
woman friend OF Parsons late Wednes
day night, but said they went to the
Yale Club when they learned the
young woman was not at home.
Crocker's testimony was given be-
fore the offcial hearing was begun
at New Rochelle in order that he
might catch a train yesterday after
noon for California.
ENLISTED TOGETHER.
After he had told how he learned
of Parsons suicide at the Jefferson
Hogan estate in Harrison. he said he
had known Parsons since 1912 when
they were classmates at Yale.
He said that when war was de-
clared both went to France and en-
listed in tho French army.
When the United States entered the
war both were transferred to the
American army and served until the
armistice was signed. Getting TO the
events Of few hours before Parsons
suicide, he said they had met by ap-
pointment at the Yale Club Wednes-
day evening for dinner.
He placed the time at 0:3O p. m.
and said that after one drink OF gin
in Parsons rooms they went to a
restaurant in West SiXty-third street,
where they drank a cocktail and
gin rickey with their dinner.
Crocker said they attended n thea
ter and afterward stopped in bar in
Park avenue, where they had another
drink. Then they went to the WON
ans home and returned to the Yale
Club, going to Parsons room, where
they had another drink.
According to Crocker, they return
ed to the Yale Club about midnight.
He left Parsons about 80 a. M,
Thursday, standing in front of the
club.
MAID THREW GIN OUT.
. Crocker also testified that the day
OF the SUICIDE ne went DdCh 10 kHe
club and interviewed the maid who
cared for Parsons room. The maid
told him she had found half bot
tie OF gin in the room, but had thrown
1t out.
Replying to questions, Crocker de-
clared he did not believe Parsons had
taken his life because of any woman
He said Parsons income was about
S25 900 to $4,000 year He described
Parsons as generous, but not eX-
travagant."
Charles Parsons, brother of the sui.
eide, testified his brother never drank
to excess. He said a sister, Winifred
Parsons, had committed suicide Au'
gust %, 1908, because of the sudden
death Of her 'fiance., He also declared
that both of his parents died of heart
disease before they were forty.
Other witnesses did not add to in
formation already known to the au'
thorities. Nellie Curran, a maid. told
how she found the body Thursday
afternoon. She also said she had let
Parsons in when he arrived home
about $50 that morning and noticed
the cut under his eye. She said he
took a number of letters from table
in the hall and went upstairs.
Vanderbilt Webb, lawyer, testified
Parsons was often nervous. Two ply.
sicians said the cut under Parson s
eye was probably caused by a blow
from a blunt instrument or fall
Patrolman Thomas Walsh told of tn,
finding of the body. The Coroner
reserved decision