Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 505, 24 January 1902 — DESPONDENCY DRIVES KROUSE TO HIS DEATH [ARTICLE]

DESPONDENCY DRIVES KROUSE TO HIS DEATH

Leaves a Letter Stating tbe Motive That Resulted Id Rash Act. IWO SHOTS THAI PROVED FATAL Kfpi Hoping In Ya n For Family Leners Which Nerer Reached Him. In Ni| Last Moments Provision is Made for His Daughter Edna. Appoints His Sister-in-Law to Take Charge of His Effects—Deceased Was an Old Resident. Th mas Krouse. manager of the Arlington Hotel annex, and a resident n th« Islands for the past twentyfive years, deliberately took his life yesterdav morning, by firing two bullets into his body, which resulted in his dying within less than two hours. Mr Krouse's rash act remains unexplained by himself However, it is generally conceded by his close friends and aiquaintarireg that he had become despondent over domestic matters, and took this tragic method of esi aping further trouble and The bullets both entered the body •a the vicinity of the heart. That the suicide had been deliberately and < arefuilv planned w as clearly indicated by the note left on a small stand in the room in which the deed was ommltted. In this letter Krouse indicated just what disposition he want- * d made of his property and personal effects. He also intimated that absence of mall from his wife and daughter, now in San Francisco, where they have been for the past • ight months, i aused him bitter disappointment. 1 Revolver Reports Heard. Shortly before 11 o'clock yesterday morning. George W. Page, an architi t who has offices in the Arlington building on Hotel street, heard two -harp reports from a revolver, coming in quick succession. He rushed out into the hall, followed by a Japanese woman named Kinl. a house keeper at the hotel annex. Lying upon the floor of a small combination kitchen and pantry in the rear of the building, was the body of Krouse. writhing in his death agony, with a stream of blood flowing from a wound in his breast. Close to his right side w ith a .'s calibre revolver, still containing three unexplodod cartridges, K rc use Could Not Speak. Dr. K P. Myres was the first physi- . ian summoned. High Sheriff Brown was soon upon the scene and took charge of Krouse. The patrol was called and the injured man was taken to Queen's hospital. Owing to his great loss of blood Krouse was unable to speak a word in reply to the qu< stions put to him by High Sheriff Brown Dr. C. B. Wood attended to the wants of the patient upon reaching the hospital He made an examination of the wounds and informed the officers that there was no hope for recovery, and that the end was very near, Krouse rallied for an instant and in response to an inquiry from Sheriff Brown. "Who shot you, Tom? - * the dying man replied; “I did." Ask cd for a reason. Krouse almost inaudible stated. "Tell you bye and bye.” He then lapsed into unconsciousness, his death occurring at 12:40 p. m. Write* to Wife’s Sister. High Sheriff Brown returned to Krouse's apartments later and found a otter lying upon a stand, addressed to Mrs Frank Hoogs. who is a sister to Mrs. Thos. Krouse. On a slip of yellow paper was written Cal! Mrs. Frank Hoogs as soon as possible." It was then signed Respectfully. T. K. Krouse," The letter directed to Mrs. Hoogs read as follows; Honolulu. Pec. 19. 1901. pear Mrs, Frank Hoogs; After all debts are paid please do This for me. For Edna sell or dispose of everything belonging to me. and reserving for yourself anything. Turn into cash the balance and put in a savings bank. You have full control of everything You will find key of safe in my pants. Yours respectfully. T E. KROI SE, P S —l have been waiting for a letter from my wife Jury and Inquest. The High Sheriff selected the fol

lowing jury Wm. C. Coney. AM Dunn. Thos. R Lucas. F Smith. R. M. Duncan and C. A Graham, who viewed the scene of tbe suicide and then the remains. An inquest was held at the police station at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. C. B Woods, the first wtness. said he bad examined the body of T E. Krouse at the Queen's hospital and found a gunshot wound in the left ’breast. Dr. Woods also made an examination of the back and lower dorsal region which showed a soft discoloration, just to the left of the spine. Incision into this locality revealed just beneath the skin a bullet of 38 calibre. Japanese Woman Testifies. Kini. a Japanese woman, testified to having worked for Mr. Krouse for about two years, and had often heard the deceased complain ab* ut not receiving letters from his wife now residing in San Francisco. “Mr. Krouse went to the post office about 6 o'clock to see if there was any maii for him. arriving by last night's steamer. ’ stated the woman. “He soon returned from the post office and told me he had received no letters. He seemed despondent and cried. About 10 • o'clock I went to the post office to see if letters had arrived, but found none, and cam*- back. He was sitting at the table writing when 1 returned from the post office. 1 left his room having to attend to my work. In a few minutes I heard two pistol shots apparently fired in his room. Went to the door and found it locked. Opened it and saw Krouse lying on the floor of a small kitchen adjoin ing his sitting room He had tnld me a number of times he intended to, commit suicide.” Sheriff Brown's Evidence. High Sheriff A. M Brown testified . to having seen Krouse badly injured lying on the floor of the kitchen in his house about 11 o’clock yesterday morning. He saw a 3S-calibre revolver close by his side, and blood running from the wound in the left breast. Krouse was groaning and appeared to be in great agony. Two shells were found exploded in the tevolver. . “When I asked Krouse w-ho shot him. his reply was ‘Shot myself.’ ” said the Sheriff. “I then asked why he had done so. his reply was: ‘1 will tell you by and by.’ 1 also found a letter of explanation in Krouse's room.” Verdict of Suicide. Li accordance with the testimony the jury speedily rendered the following verdict; “That Thomas E. Krouse came to: his death at Honolulu. Island of Oahu, on the 23rd day of January. 1902. the \ result of a bullet wound from a 38 calibre revolver fired by himself , with suicidal intent, said bullet en tering the abdi minal cavity, causing I hemorrhage and shock. Despondency, so the Jury believes, being the cause of this act.” Despondent Over His Trouble. Krouse was about forty-five years of age. Some years ago he was in charge of the Arlington Hotel now removed to give place to the Young building. He was lately employed behind the bar of the Fashion Saloon i n Hotel street. He was affiliated with the Hawaiian of Masonry Krouse is not known to have been financially embarrassed. He is said j to have complained of heart trouble on Sunday last. The only explana tion for his successful attempt at self destruction was family troubles. ‘ This is borne cut by the records he left behind, and the testimony of those who knew him well.