A Banker's Last Note: G. S. Thomas Dies by Poison in a Spokane Hotel

Sunday afternoon the news arrived from Spokane that G. S. Thomas, cashier of the First State Bank of Newport, had been found dead in a room in the Colonial Hotel at Spokane, death being the result of a dose of poison self-administered.

Mr. Thomas left Newport Friday and was at Coeur d'Alene on that day. On Saturday he went to Spokane and, registering at the Colonial, retired early in the evening. After drinking a solution of strychnine sulphate he lay down on the bed without removing his clothes. His body was found shortly before noon Sunday and the coroner notified, who sent word to Newport to friends of the deceased. Before taking poison he had written on an envelope, which he placed on a table beside the bed, "I am G. S. Thomas, of Newport, Wash." No other note or communication explaining his rash deed has been found.

Assistant Cashier Fred Stevens, of the First State Bank, went to Spokane on the next train to look after the remains and notify relatives of the deceased.

During the past winter Mr. Thomas labored under a severe strain in the management of the affairs of the First State Bank. During several months payments were practically suspended by the bank, but since the first of the year conditions had been considerably relieved, and a sale of the bank to local and Spokane capitalists had been consummated last week. Mr. Thomas put up a brave fight against odds in the management of the bank's affairs, and his worry over business matters seems to have proved more than he could stand.

An examination of the affairs of the First State Bank made on Monday by Ellis LeMaster, of the firm of Cannon & LeMaster, public accountants, of Spokane, showed that the books of the bank checked out exactly and that the cash as reported was intact in the bank. A committee of the directors of the Security State Bank also passed upon the books and securities of the First State and satisfied themselves that everything is in good shape.

The last act in the life of G. S. Thomas is sincerely regretted by his friends and business associates. All knew that he had been laboring under a severe strain, but now that the transfer of the bank had been consummated his desperate deed came as a surprise to all.

G. S. Thomas was a native of Michigan and reached the age of 61 years. He was formerly in the banking business at Aberdeen, Wash., and coming to Newport some years ago operated for several years a private bank. Later he organized the First State Bank of Newport and has since served as its cashier. His wife, one son, Guy L., and a daughter, DeGrova, are living. His father, Jonathan Thomas, is a resident of Madison, Cal. A brother, Samuel, lives at Hatton, Wash., and his mother, two brothers and a sister are living at McCords, Mich.

Mr. Thomas was in many of the enterprises that have helped to build up the town of Newport. He was one of the promoters and owners of the Newport Water Company, was connected with the Newport Brick Company, which erected the plant at Albeni Falls, and was also engaged in other business in this section.

Funeral services were held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Smith's undertaking parlors in Spokane. Interment in the Elks' cemetery. A number of Newport friends and business associates were present to pay the last tribute to the departed.