The Tragedy of Owen Hughes

Owen Hughes, aged 60, committed suicide at the Brunswick Hotel yesterday morning by taking 12 grains of morphine. Hughes came to Seattle about two years ago from Victoria, where he was for long a steward in a hospital. He had considerable money when he arrived; one of his friends claiming that he left Victoria with about $400. After being here for a time, he took his money from the proprietor’s safe and went to Tacoma, where he had some business transactions with the land department of the Northern Pacific railroad. He then returned to Seattle and had some transactions with some men here. As a result, the old gentleman lost his money.

He brooded over his financial condition for some time, and finally concluded that he was too old to make a new start in life and the only course that seemed clear to him was suicide. His experience in the hospital had given him a pretty good idea of the nature of drugs, and he was not long in securing a dose. On Monday he walked up to the bar and called for a drink of whisky. After pouring a generous drink into a glass, he sprinkled it with a powder which he carried in his pocket. Fearing that all was not right, the barkeeper grabbed the glass and dashed the contents on the floor. This proved a sore disappointment to the old man, but he did not propose to let a barkeeper dictate his affairs. He turned from the bar in disgust, walked upstairs, and went to bed.

Later in the day, when one of the attendants entered his room, the old man was found in a stupor. Physicians were called, but they were unable to arouse him until 9 o'clock yesterday morning, when he ceased to breathe. The body was taken to Cross Co.’s undertaking establishment, but previous to its removal, Coroner Root was summoned and held an inquest, the jury finding a verdict in conformity with the facts. The remains will be buried today at the expense of the county.