Hiester Clymer - His Death Caused by Morphine

Special Dispatch to the Inquirer

Reading, Pa. June 17. Considerable excitement was caused here today by the report that the death of Hon. Hiester Clymer, who was buried yesterday afternoon, was caused by his own act and was not a natural one, as given out by his family and friends.

One of the attending physicians says that Mr. Clymer took a large dose of morphine on Friday evening about 5 o'clock, and that though everything possible was done to save his life it was to no avail. Men were employed in walking him up and down the room, and about midnight a stomach pump was brought into requisition. That the act was premeditated is known from the fact that Mr. Clymer left two letters, one of twelve pages, addressed to George F. Barr, attorney, and the other to his business partner in the Clymer Iron Company of Temple, Pa., in both of which he speaks of his financial embarrassments, and of the difficulty of obtaining money; that owing to the continued depression in the iron business, they were unable to get rid of the iron at renumerative prices, and as a consequence, were losing money. These and other matters weighed so heavily upon his mind that his reason gave way.

The physician says that after Mr. Clymer had taken the morphine he seemed to be under the impression that it would not answer the purpose and attempted to cut his throat. About this time, his wife came into the room, screamed in terror and fainted away. Her screams were answered by the hired help and neighbors were summoned. The family and friends have hoped that no inquest would be held upon the body, but probably the body will be disinterred and a post-mortem examination held.1

• 1. Philadelphia Inquirer, 06/18/184