grave import

Obituary

Frank Randall, the son of George Randall, of number 900 Linden street of this city, committed suicide yesterday afternoon by drinking carbolic acid about 2:30 p.m. He fell at the corner of Eighth and Ash streets, but was dead by the time he was picked up. He was about 32 years of age, and was a lather by trade. He had enlisted during the Spanish American war. It seems that he had been drinking heavily. About 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon he went to Edward C. Hamler's drug store at number 1328 North Oak street and bought 25 cents worth of carbolic acid with which to do some house cleaning. The druggist says he sold him a weak solution labelled accordingly. Randall then went into Frank Kehn's saloon opposite took a drink and declared that he had taken his last drink. Kehn congratulated him, whereupon Randall exclaimed, "Yes, I have taken my last drink for a long, long time." The next seen of him was when the neighbors near Eighth and Ash streets saw him fall to the ground about 3 o'clock, foam rising to his mouth as he lay prostrate. Although they ran to his assistance, he was beyond help when they reached him. Coroner Prugh took charge of the remains. A cursory examination did not bring to light any signs of carbolic acid poisoning, his mouth not being burnt by the drug. However, in a case of suicide by drinking carbolic acid at the Pauly house some time ago, the man bore no traces of the drug which had killed him, although the scent of carbolic acid was strong in the room. A post mortem examination was held by Dr. Vorwerk, assisted by Dr. Paul Schaefer last evening. The coroner's jury will not meet until Wednesday, Coroner Prugh said last night. it is believed Randall was mentally unbalanced at the time the deed was committed. A year or so ago he was confined in the hospital for the insane at Mt. Pleasant, but was afterwards returned as cured. Since then he has apparently been all right except that he drank heavily at times. Several days ago he exhibited signs of a nature of the old trouble. Last Sunday his parents took him before the insane commissioners, Dr. Holiday and the other members of the board examined him, and they decided that he was not insane but recommended that he be sent to the hospital for inebriates at Mt. Pleasant.THe latter course was decided upon and charges were filed against him. However, Randall signed a pledge to abstain from liquor in the future if the case was continued and this was done, hoping to give him another chance. The young man was given his liberty with the understanding that if he broke his pledge he should be sent to Mt. Pleasant. Then followed the tragedy of the afternoon.