Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-29
CA. ENTOMOLQGIST
COMMITS SUICIDE

Despondent over his physical con
dition, Arthur C. Lewis, state ento
mologist, drank cyanide of potas
SUM Wednesday night at his home
in the Lafayette apartments, II
West Alexander street, and died
while being rushed to the Grady
hospital.
Mr.. Lewis had been in failing
health for several months as the
result of an attack of influenza, and
not long ago was given leave OF
absence from his duties at the state
capitol in order to recuperate. He
returned to work somewhat i'm
proved in health, but on various oc'
casions he betrayed the fear that he
was suffering from tuberculosis.
Brooding over his condition is
thought to have caused him to drink
the poison.
After supper Wednesday night,
Mr.. Lewis walked into the Kitchen,
leaving his wife in another room.
Within a few moments he returned,
calmly remarking to Mrs. Lewis
that he had taken a dose of cyan
ide Of potassium.
"It's no use to do anything for
me; it's all over" he told his wife.
Mrs. Lewis Immediately called an
ambulance, but her husband died on
the way to the hospital Unsuc-
cessful attempts had been made to
administer an antidote before the
ambulance arrived at the Lewis
apartment.
An inquest will be held Friday
morning by Coroner Paul Donehoo,
at the undertaking establishment of
Donehoo & Bazemore, where the re.
mains were taken. No funeral ar
rangements have yet been made.
On Wednesday afternoon Mr..
Lewis had been in conference with
Commissioner of Agriculture J. j.
Brown, head of the department with
which the state entomologist was
connected.
"Mr. Lewis brought down some
vouchers for me to sign," said Mr..
Brown, telling Of their conversation,
land we talked over matters connect
ed with the operation of his office.
It seemed to me that he was de-
spondent and discouraged, but he
tried to appear cheerful, although /
could see that he was not feeling
entirely WELL"
Mr.. Brown expressed deepest Sor-
row over the death of his co-work-
er, declaring that Mr.. Lewis had CIV
en- his best efforts to the depart
ment throughout the sixteen years
of his connection. .f
Examination of his office Thurs
day showed every detail of his work
arranged with an accuracy common
with Mr.. Lewis, his desk in method
ical arrangement and the financial
affairs of the department in excel
lent order and condition. Under the
system used, the department bal
ances it's books at the end of each
days business and again at the end
of each month. But a short time
ago a complete audit of the depart.
ment of entomology was made, and
within a few minutes Thursday, ev-
erything had been checked up to yes
terday's transactions.
Entering the service of the state
sixteen years ago as a field worke,;'
connected with the state board Of
c1IIOtllOAOSyJ NIL AAOVAO "eAS AA1oSAS cS'
sistant state entomologist during the
term of E. Lee Worsham, and when
the latter resigned four years ago.
was named state entomologist. He
was known as one of the best au-
thorities on chronological subjects
and had devoted himself closely to
the study of methods for the control
and elimination of insect pests prey
ing upon Georgia crops: He was a
native Of Oklahoma and a graduate
Of the Oklahoma Agricultural and
Mechanical college. He WAS forty-six
years old.
Besides his wife, Mr.. Lewis is sur
yived by one daughter, Miss Alice
Lewis; his mother Mrs. Abb Lewis,
Of Enid, Okla; one sister, Miss Car
rie E. Lewis, and a brother, George
T,awis both of Oklahoma.