COULDN'T WAIT FOR
SLOW DEATH.
HEALTH FAILED RILEY AND HE
SWALLOWED POISON.
WIFE FOUND HIM TOO LATE.
HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A
TRIP FOR HIS HEALTH.
For Many Years Charles C. Riley Was
a Department Manager for Emery,
Bird, Thayer -- Broke Down
From Overwork.
Charles C. Riley, a former department manager for the Emery, bird, Thayer Dry Goods Company, who a year ago next New Year's day went to live in Paloma, La., to regain his failing health, returned with his wife to their home at 3911 East Tenth street at 10 o'clock yesterday morning to await death within a few weeks.
His strength was barely sufficient. Upon his reaching home, for him to climb one flight of stairs to the bath room. He had been in the room but a minute or two when his wife called to him.
"I am all right," he said, but his voice sounded strange.
She pushed open the door and found him lying on the floor. He was holding in his hand an empty vial which had contained carbolic acid. As she stooped to speak to him, he smiled and whispered:
"Goodby, dear!"
There were several friends in the house, who had met the Rileys at the depot and escorted them to their home, and upon Mrs. Riley's giving the alarm, someone telephoned for a physician. Dr. W. A. Armour, who lives at 3401 East Twelfth street, reached the house within ten minutes, but Mr. Riley was already dead.
Coroner G. B. Thompson said that an inquest was unnecessary where the cause of death was so plain. The label on the acid bottle showed that Mr. Riley had purchased it in Paloma, and that he had likely many days ago planned to end the hopeless struggle to regain his health.
Three years ago, while Mr. Riley was serving his thirteenth year as manager of the woolen dress goods department of Emery, Bird, Thayer's, his health failed. He kept on working and a year later took upon himself additional work. During the holidays last year he suffered nervous prostration and never returned to his work. His nervous system seemed to be utterly shattered, and the trip to the South, which was his last hope for recovery, failed to build him up.
The only relatives in Kansas City are the widow and one daughter. Mr. Riley's parents, who live in Farmington, N. J., have been notified. The funeral services will be held from the residence after their arrival.
