grave import

Obituary

F. M. Wagoner, a school teacher, committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid about 12 o'clock last night in the office of the Pauly house. Wagoner was evidently despondent over his destitute condition and resolved on this method of ending his existence, although he left no note or other indication of his reasons for taking his life. He came into the hotel late in the evening and had quite a conversation with the night clerk. He appeared to be sober and rational and wanted to secure a week's board on credit. He claimed to be a school teacher, said he was forty-six years of age and came to this city about two months ago, seeking employment. He was telling these facts when the clerk started to close up for the night and told him he had better seek his lodging place. Wagoner stepped into the wash-room in the rear of the office and returned in a few minutes. He sank into a chair in the apparent throes of a deathly sickness. Dr. Harrell was summoned but before he arrived on the scene the man was dead. The clerk then searched the washroom and found an empty vial that had contained carbolic acid. In fact some of the liquid still remained in the bottle. It is presumed Wagoner drank the acid, but his mouth gave no indication of burns. Wagoner came to this city about two months ago and went to the Dunn's hotel. Mr. Dunn stated the man had about $75 and this amount lasted until about a week ago. When the money was exhausted. Wagoner started to work at the American Sash and Door Factory, remained there a few days and then quit. Since that time he has not appeared at the hotel and it is presumed has been sleeping around wherever he could find a nights shelter. Coroner Prugh, in searching Wagoner's effects found letters from his wife and children in Monroe, Iowa and immediately communicated the news of the man's death to them. A large number of first-class teachers' certificates and excellent letters of recommendation were also found among Wagoner's things, which indicate that he was an instructor of uncommon ability. He apparently taught in Monmouth just before coming to this city and had a good letter from the school superintendent there. There was another letter from the superintendent of the Mt. Pleasant Insane hospital, dated January 30, 1903, to Mrs. Olive Wagoner, the dead man's wife, stating that her husband had escaped from that institution some time before. The superintendent presumed that by that time the man had effected a complete recovery and gave notice that a formal order of discharge had been entered in his case. It is said he was an inmate of the inebriate ward and his unconquerable appetite for liquor was no doubt the cause of his vicissitudes and tragic end. An inquest will be held by Coroner Prugh at 4 o'clock this afternoon and the body will be held pending instructions from the widow.