| Sources |
- [S1009] Washington Post - Ancestry.com, Maryland. Washington, D.C., "Eugene M'Kenny Commits Suicide Near Hospital," October 16 1909, p. 2, col. 1; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (Reliability: 3), 3 Feb 2014.
Washington Post
October 16, 1909
pg. 2
col. 1
ENDS LIFE WITH ACID
Eugene M'Kenny Commits Suicide Near Hospital.
"DOWN AND OUT" HE SAYS
Former Employee of a Washington Newspaper Drinks Poison Within Short Distance of Emergency and Dies a Few Minutes Later - Had been Despondent and Threatened Self.
Within the shadow of Emergency Hospital, which, in less than three minutes was to be the scene of his death struggles, Eugene P. McKenny, 35 years old, of Rockville, Md., up to a month ago a bookkeper for the Washington Times, late yesterday afternoon drank a quantity of carbolic acid. He died in the hospital.
On two occaisions, according to the family, the young man had threatened suicide by the same means. Despondency over the loss of a child last July, losing his position with the newspaper, his failure to procure employment, domestic troubles, and illness was said by members of the family to be the cause of McKenny's act. In addition to a wife and 5 year old daughter, McKenny leaves his parents, three sisters, and a brother.
Dies in three minutes.
In less than three minutes after he swallowed the acid he was pronounced dead by Dr. Benjamin Cliff, of the Emergency staff.
It was 5:30 o'clock when McKenny decided to end his troubles. At that time he was less than 200 feet from the hospital in Ohio Avenue. Stopping suddenly on a brisk walk, McKenny, after glancing around as if to see that no one was near enough to interfere, put his hand in his coat pocket and pulled out the vial containing the acid.
As he was about to raise the bottle to his lips he saw a man approaching from the front. The man, who was J. H. Croxdell, living at the George Washington Hotel, saw McKenny at the same time, and surmised what the latter was about to do. He hurried forward and called "Stop!"
McKenny evidently heard him, for he, too, quickened his actions. He raised his arm with a jerk, put the bottle to his lips and drank. Before he could drain the bottle of its contents, however, Croxdell grabbed his arm and wrenched the vial from his grasp. McKenny had hardly drunk more than two drams.
"What are you doing - drinking poison?", asked Croxdell, at the same time attempting to pull McKenny toward the hospital.
"Yes, I am drinking carbolic acid." replied McKenny.
"What are you doing it for?" asked Croxdell.
"I am down and out, and wish to end it all." said the would-be suicide.
"Come with me to the hospital," said Croxdell.
Goes to the Hospital.
Without another word McKenny accompanied his would-be rescuer to the Emergency Hospital. It was less than two minutes, according to Dr. Cliff, from the time the man drank the acid until a quantity of alcohol was forced down his throat and heroic measures were adopted to save his life. In less than three minutes after he drank the acid, according to Dr. Cliff and Croxdell, McKenny was dead.
As soon as the physician pronounced the man dead his pockets were searched in an effort to find some letters or papers which might lead to his identity, as from the time he entered the hospital he did not utter a word. A letter from the American Surety Company announcing that the premium on his notary public security was due was found. The letter was addressed to Eugene P. [F.?] McKenny, ___ of the Washington Times.
Relatives Are Informed.
Police headquarters were notified, and the young man's sisters at 1505 Eleventh street northwest were told. The father, John McKenny, as well as the suicide's mother, are aged and feeble, and the news of the death of heir son was kept from them. The young man's three sisters went to the hospital and identified the body as that of their brother.
Mrs. T A Sullivan, a married sister, said that her brother was naturally morose and that his domestic life had not been as happy as it might. She also said that on two occasions her brother had threatened to end his life.
At the Washington Times Office, where the young man had been employed for more than three years, every one had a kind word to say of him. McKenny also had worked for several years for the Southern Railroad as a messenger boy, agent, and accountant.
McKenny had ben married about seven years. For the last two years he had lived just outside of Rockville, Md., at a place called Jenneta. In July last he lost his youngest child. This is said to have weighed heavilly on his mind.
Coroner Nevitt, after viewing the body, gave a certificate of death by suicide from poison. Arrangements will be made this morning to have the body moved to an undertaker's rooms. The sisters were in communication with the widow last night. The sisters are Mrs. T. A. Sullivan, of 27 Q street northwest, and Misses Mary and Agnes McKenny, living with their parents.
- [S1009] Washington Post - Ancestry.com, Maryland. Washington, D.C., "Eugene M'Kenny Commits Suicide Near Hospital," October 16 1909, p. 2, col. 1; digital images, \i Ancestry.com\i0 (Reliability: 3), 3 Feb 2014.
Washington Post
October 16, 1909
pg. 2
col. 1
ENDS LIFE WITH ACID
Eugene M'Kenny Commits Suicide Near Hospital.
"DOWN AND OUT" HE SAYS
Former Employee of a Washington Newspaper Drinks Poison Within Short Distance of Emergency and Dies a Few Minutes Later - Had been Despondent and Threatened Self.
Within the shadow of Emergency Hospital, which, in less than three minutes was to be the scene of his death struggles, Eugene P. McKenny, 35 years old, of Rockville, Md., up to a month ago a bookkeper for the Washington Times, late yesterday afternoon drank a quantity of carbolic acid. He died in the hospital.
On two occaisions, according to the family, the young man had threatened suicide by the same means. Despondency over the loss of a child last July, losing his position with the newspaper, his failure to procure employment, domestic troubles, and illness was said by members of the family to be the cause of McKenny's act. In addition to a wife and 5 year old daughter, McKenny leaves his parents, three sisters, and a brother.
Dies in three minutes.
In less than three minutes after he swallowed the acid he was pronounced dead by Dr. Benjamin Cliff, of the Emergency staff.
It was 5:30 o'clock when McKenny decided to end his troubles. At that time he was less than 200 feet from the hospital in Ohio Avenue. Stopping suddenly on a brisk walk, McKenny, after glancing around as if to see that no one was near enough to interfere, put his hand in his coat pocket and pulled out the vial containing the acid.
As he was about to raise the bottle to his lips he saw a man approaching from the front. The man, who was J. H. Croxdell, living at the George Washington Hotel, saw McKenny at the same time, and surmised what the latter was about to do. He hurried forward and called "Stop!"
McKenny evidently heard him, for he, too, quickened his actions. He raised his arm with a jerk, put the bottle to his lips and drank. Before he could drain the bottle of its contents, however, Croxdell grabbed his arm and wrenched the vial from his grasp. McKenny had hardly drunk more than two drams.
"What are you doing - drinking poison?", asked Croxdell, at the same time attempting to pull McKenny toward the hospital.
"Yes, I am drinking carbolic acid." replied McKenny.
"What are you doing it for?" asked Croxdell.
"I am down and out, and wish to end it all." said the would-be suicide.
"Come with me to the hospital," said Croxdell.
Goes to the Hospital.
Without another word McKenny accompanied his would-be rescuer to the Emergency Hospital. It was less than two minutes, according to Dr. Cliff, from the time the man drank the acid until a quantity of alcohol was forced down his throat and heroic measures were adopted to save his life. In less than three minutes after he drank the acid, according to Dr. Cliff and Croxdell, McKenny was dead.
As soon as the physician pronounced the man dead his pockets were searched in an effort to find some letters or papers which might lead to his identity, as from the time he entered the hospital he did not utter a word. A letter from the American Surety Company announcing that the premium on his notary public security was due was found. The letter was addressed to Eugene P. [F.?] McKenny, ___ of the Washington Times.
Relatives Are Informed.
Police headquarters were notified, and the young man's sisters at 1505 Eleventh street northwest were told. The father, John McKenny, as well as the suicide's mother, are aged and feeble, and the news of the death of heir son was kept from them. The young man's three sisters went to the hospital and identified the body as that of their brother.
Mrs. T A Sullivan, a married sister, said that her brother was naturally morose and that his domestic life had not been as happy as it might. She also said that on two occasions her brother had threatened to end his life.
At the Washington Times Office, where the young man had been employed for more than three years, every one had a kind word to say of him. McKenny also had worked for several years for the Southern Railroad as a messenger boy, agent, and accountant.
McKenny had ben married about seven years. For the last two years he had lived just outside of Rockville, Md., at a place called Jenneta. In July last he lost his youngest child. This is said to have weighed heavilly on his mind.
Coroner Nevitt, after viewing the body, gave a certificate of death by suicide from poison. Arrangements will be made this morning to have the body moved to an undertaker's rooms. The sisters were in communication with the widow last night. The sisters are Mrs. T. A. Sullivan, of 27 Q street northwest, and Misses Mary and Agnes McKenny, living with their parents.
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Washington Post
Ends Life With Acid
Eugene M'Kenny Commits Suicide Near Hospital |
- [S1121] The Saint Louis Republic, Missouri. Saint Louis., "To Marry Sweetheart She Came To Nurse," August 8, 1903, p. 8, col. 3; digital images, \i Chronicling America\i0 (Reliability: 3), 7 May 2014.
To Marry Sweetheart
She Came To Nurse
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Illness of Eugene P. McKenny Brings Miss Blanche English From Washington, D.C.- Wedding To-Day.
The marriage of Eugene P. McKenny of No. 3510 Lindell avenus and Miss Blanche M. English of Washington, D.C., which will take place this morning at the home of the bridegrooms relatives on Cleveland avenue, is the result of a romance begun some time ago at the national capital, where both young persons formerly lived.
Mr. McKenny is an expert accountant employed by the Southern Railway Company in East St. Louis. He was sent out from Washington several months ago, and it was then announced that his marriage with Miss English would take place in the fall.
Mr. McKenny's health has not been good since his arrival in St. Louis. He has been under a physician's care at a private hospital for a few weeks.
His fiance came here from Washington recently to see him. So beneficial was her presence that Mr. McKenny left his physician's care yesterday, and, having procured the necessary license, it was arranged that the wedding should take place today. The convalescent bridegroom has secured a holiday in which to enjoy his honeymoon before taking up his duties with his company.
Many expressions of good will have been received by the prospective bride and bridegroom, who will start upon their tour this afternoon.
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The Saint Louis Republic
Wedding announcement for Eugene P. McKenny and Blanche M. English, August 8, 1903, St. Louis, MO.
Image Source:
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020274/1903-08-08/ed-1/seq-3/ |
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1920 Census - Hugh Patrick Kelly
Image Source:
https://archive.org/stream/14thcensusofpopu209unit#page/n177/mode/1up |
- [S1084] The Washington Times, District of Columbia. Washington., "News Notes and Personals," August 11, 1903, p. 10, col. 5; digital images, \i Chronicling America\i0 (Reliability: 3), 8 May 2014.
The Washington Times
August 11, 1903
Pg. 10
Col. 5
News Notes and Personals
Much surprise was occasioned in this city by the announcement in the "Richmond Times-Dispatch" of the marriage at Saint Louis, Mo., of Blanche M. English and Eugene P. McKenny, formerly of this city. Mr. McKenny was for some time chief clerk in the Southern Railway office here, and was highly esteemed and respected. Miss English is the daughter of Capt. Samuel English.
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Washington Times
Source URL:
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1903-08-11/ed-1/seq-10/
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John Kelly
US Census, 1910, Washington, D.C. |
- [S1122] The Alexandria Gazette, Virginia. Alexandria., "A Romantic Marriage," August 10, 1903, p. 3, col. 1; digital images, \i Chronicling America\i0 (Reliability: 3), 13 Aug 2014.
A dispatch from St. Louis, Mo. says:
"A qiuet wedding was the outcome Saturday of a lengthy journey made several
days ago by Miss Blanche M. English, of Alexandria. Va., in order to be at the
bedside of her allianced husband, Eugene P. McKenney. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Father McKenney, of
Eilicot City, Md., at the rectory of St. Francis Xavier's Church, Grand Avenue, and Lintlell Boulevard, at 11 o'clock. The officiating priest is a brother of the bridegroom. The wedding followed a romance begun in Alexantlria eight years ago, while McKenney was chief clerk of the Southern Railway at that place. It
was there the young couple plighted their troth. It was not long after this that the road officials assigned McKenney to Washnington, D. C., and finally to the East St. Louis position. The young man applied himself assidiously to his duties, hoping to go to Virginia at an early date to claim his bride, but events
did not occur as had been hoped and the wedding date was set for the coming fall.
Several weeks ago McKenney became ill and was sent to a St. Louis hospital.
His recovery was slow, and Miss English, with the spirit of a true southern woman,
came to St. Louis to be at the bedside of her affianced husband. From the moment of her arrival McKenney naturally began to Improve. Two days ago the patient was able to leave the hospital, and the wedding was arranged forthwith. As Father McKennney, the groom's brother, was already prisent, it was decided
that he should officiate at the marriage. The couple left on the Wabash train Saturday noon for Chicago, to spend their honeymoon. McKenney had been granted a leave of absence from his duties and will take an extensive trip to recover his health. The couple will reside in St. Louis. During her sojourn in St. Louis, Miss English, now Mrs. McKenny, stopped with Chief Clerk Burroughs, of the Southern Railway, who resides at 4553 A Cleveland Avenue. Officials of the Southern Railway speak in the highest terms of Mr. McKenney. His bride is a beautiful and cultured Virginia girl.
[Miss English is a daughter of Captain Samuel English, formerly of this city but now living in Rockville, Md.]
Alexandria gazette. (Alexandria, D.C.), 10 Aug. 1903. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85025007/1903-08-10/ed-1/seq-3/>
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, d. 15 Oct 1909, Washington, District of Columbia, District of Colombia, United States 
Children