Putnam patriot., 1925-12-25

A strong odor of gas in the Stoum- bells block on Main street. Sunday morning, led to the discovery of the dead body of Ildege Dragon lying be- side an open gas jet of little stove in the west end of his shop. Beside him lay gas tube where apparently il had fallen from his hand as he became un- conscious. Medical Examiner Dr. F. A. Norrell pronounced it case of suicide.
 That Dragon took his life seems to be beyond question. The situation in which the body was found leads to this belief, and statements that he made during his last day in the shop evil dence that he then had thoughts of taking his own life.
 Had Been III
 Dragon had been i'll for two days. He had not been home for two nights and Friday night slept in the shop. On account of this the family did not feel alarmed when he fRiled to put in an appearance Saturday night.
 During the day. Saturday. Dragon complained repeatedly of suffering from his illness He could not eat but drank quantities of hot coffee brought in to him. Dr. c. T. Lamarche, who has an office next door to the shop. ministered to him several times during the day and evening. He was advised to quit work and go home and go to bed. On account of the holiday season he had several rush jobs and he did not want to fail his customers, so kept at work
 Suggestive Remarks
 ]. N. Pete" Ledoux, who has work ed for Dragon for fifteen years. re- called, after the body had been found. acts and remarks that were significant of how Dragons thoughts were run ming. during his last day alive. At one time during the day Dragon said to Ledoux: You have been here a long time. If anything should happen to me you could run the shop. couldn't you?" Ledoux thought Dragons ill., ness accounted for his statement and laughingly said he thought he could.
 Ledoux says he also noticed. and re- calls 1t now, that during the day Dragon seemed anxious to complete all jobs that were promised. LedOux says that in the evening Dragon began trimming coat. This was some thing that he had never done before on a Saturday night and Led0ux spoke to him and asked why he was bother ing with it then. Dragon said that he was doing it because he might not be there Monday.
 Might Not Work Together
 Another statement recalled by Le- doux was that Dragon said that they might not work together another Sat urday.
 About quarter of nine Dragon went to Niens barber shop and got shaved. He talked as usual with the barber. In response to an inquiry as to how he was feeling he replied that he was feeling better. adding Except for what have got to go through"
 When Dragon got back to his shop Dr. Lamarche saw him and said, all luding to his clean shave. "Nou are looking fine" Dragon replied: "Yes, that much is done"
 The Fatal Hour
 When Dragon entered the shop II was about ten minutes past nine. He looked at the clock and said to Le- doux: "The fatal hour Is drawing near" The only significance that his employe attached to that remark was that Dragon had not been home for two nights and rather dreaded to meet his family.
 It seems probable that Dragon planned for Ledoux to find his body 1t is unusual for anyone to be m the building Sundays, and this Dragon knew. He asked Ledoux to go to walk with him Sunday afternoon and when Ledoux agreed to this asked him to meet him at the shop at one o'clock. Although lame. Dragon liked to take long walks, and so LedouX noticed nothing strange in this.
 Strong Odor of Gas
 But it happened that on this fatal Sunday there were those who went to the building before the appointed hour for the walk. Arthur Piessis went to his insurance office. As he was ieaV- ing he met Dr. H. w. Sharpe coming in He said to Dr. Sharpe: Do you smell gas?" Dr. Sharpe replied oi course do. Anyone can smell It:
 pr. Sharpe said that he passed up the stairs and to his office. He kne" that the only gas in the building was in his laboratory and in Dragon tati- or shop. He thought possibly that he had left gas cock partially open m t.s ...t....s ka rkFFeffRNftsd ne