DR. HOLMES NO MORE.
SUICIDES AT HIS SISTER'S HOME IN DES MOINES.
WAS EVIDENTLY INSANE,
Formerly a Practicing Physician at Audubon.
Was Married But Divorced.

From the Des Moines Capital:
Dr. John D. Holmes, late of Audubon Iowa, committed suicide Saturday morning at 11 o'clock in room 16, third floor of the Robinson block on East Locust Street. The deed was done with a revolver. In preparing to kill himself he laid down on a comforter with a pillow under his head.

He then placed the revolver back of the right ear and fired, the shot making a great hole in his head. Death must have been instantaneous. When found he was lying in the position described with his feet crossed, his hands by his side. The doctor lived with his married sister, Mrs. D.L. Patton, and her husband, her husband being employed in the Rock Island freight office. His sister was the first to discover the suicide. Dr. Holmes' office was above Hansen's drug store, corner of East Sixth and Locust Streets. He was well acquainted with Drs. Currie and Priestley and as a physician held their esteem. Dr. Holmes came from Audubon, Iowa, about five years ago. At Audubon for several years he was the leading physician. He was a republican and for several years was active in politics. In 1884 he was an elector for the Ninth district on the Blame and Logan ticket. At one time Dr. Holmes had very bright prospects in western Iowa. But he had domestic troubles and others of a kindred nature and since he has been in Des Moines he has not been successful. He has been married, separated from his wife, but had no children. He was about 44 years old.

He was kind-hearted and of gentle disposition. The editor of the capital knew Dr. Holmes in his better days. Saturday morning at about 10 o'clock. Dr. Holmes called at the office of Mr. Young in the Iowa Capitol newspaper building, and being invited to a seat, sat down, placing his medicine case on the sofa beside him. Addressing Mr. Young he said: "Mr. Young you did me a favor many years ago, and I have come to you asking for another. In 1884, you secured my nomination or election in the Ninth district, and now I want you to arrange so that I can meet the leading people of Des Moines: I want to be introduced to them and to address them for a few minutes. You know what I want. I want such men as Dr. Priestly, Dr. Curry and all the leading physicians. I have never met the leading people of Des Moines, and now I want to get acquainted with them." There was something in the doctor's manner as well as in his curious proposition that caused Mr. Young to think that he was not altogether right in his mind. His conversation and his manner was so peculiar, that the stenographer in the room looked around to see what was the matter. Mr. Young asked the doctor if he was going to give a social party or what sort of a gathering he proposed. He said he would leave that with Mr. Young, as he knew better what to do. When asked where this meeting was to be held, he suggested that it ought to be held in the Capital building, and asked if the legislative chambers were not vacant. While he talked his face was very sad, and he looked like a man who had lost sleep and was in mental distress. Mr. Young hardly knew what to say, realizing that there was something wrong with him; yet he wanted to deal, gently with him because he was an old acquaintance. Mr. Young suggested that, he would take the matter under consideration, and would talk the matter over with him tomorrow. This seemed to satisfy the doctor and he went away, there being nothing in his manner or walk to indicate his mental condition.

Mr. Young remembered to have met the doctor on the street Saturday, and the doctor seemed absorbed in thought, passing him without speaking, which was unusual. It is evident that the man was insane when he took his life. He killed himself within less than an hour after leaving The Capital editorial rooms. He was a Mason and a Knight Templar. When and where the interment will be The Capital is not yet informed. A coroner's jury was summoned consisting of Ed Melon D.S. McQuiston and D.T. Foulee. Their verdict was that "Dr. John D. Holmes had killed himself with a 32 caliber revolver.