Springfield, Sept. 29.—Walter (Dutch) Moore, a former ball player, and later a bartender of Decatur, was found dead this morning in his room In the Stag hotel 422 1/2 East Jefferson street, with the gas turned on. Moore went to the hotel Sunday night. The bell-boy took him to his room and turned on the electric light. Moore left word that he was to be called at 8 o'clock. When the bell-boy went to call him this morning he found the door locked and could get no answer the knocking. The door was finally broken open and Moore was found on the floor. The electric light was still burning and the gas was turned on. The bed had not been slept in but there was one place on the bed where it looked as if Moore had stood while turning on the gas. It was said that Moore had been drinking and an officer had been talking to him on the street a few hours previous and he was said to be in the best of spirits. A paper and card were found on his person. The card read "Walter—Has that dog got away with you or why didn't you come. I would like to see you again". - Kenneth. The body was removed to a local undertaking establishment and prepared for burial. The first news of the death of Walter H. Moore at Springfield came in a telegram to Chief Allen from Coroner Rhodes of Springfield. The message stated that Walter had gone to his room at the Stag hotel at 11:30 Sunday night and was under the influence of liquor at the time. He had left a call for 8 o'clock Monday morning. The people at the hotel smelled escaping gas and it was traced to Moore's room and he was found dead, the gas still turned on. Decatur friends of Walter Moore do not think it possible that he intended to commit suicide. The electric light was still burning in his room. The gas jet was over his bed. The friends believe that in his conditicn he turned on the gas under the impression that he was turning off the electric light. Walter Moore was fifty years old. He was born at or near Peru, Ind. In early life he was a ball player and was a member of the Buffalo, N. Y., team of the Eastern league when that team was considered one of the best. He was for four seasons with A. G. Field's minstrels, and after coming to Decatur he took part in a number of amateur minstrel performances. He was also a member of the Decatur ball team about nineteen years ago. He has a wife and two children in Waterbury, Conn., a brother, Otto Moore, at Richmond, Ind., and a sister in Hollywood, Cal. He was a member of the Moose lodge at Decatur, and O. B. Cross, representing the lodge, accompanied J. J. Moran to Springfield Monday after the body. Mr. Moore had been in Decatur for about twenty years. He tended bar in various saloons, for the past two years being at the Blenz bar on North Water street. Until a short time ago he had not drunk any intoxicating liquors for about two years. He returned only about two weeks ago from a trip to New York and Ohio. He had not been feeling very well after his return, but did not appear despondent. He was not of that turn of mind at all. He was one of the best natured men and was always cheerful. He had a kind word for everybody and was never heard to speak ill of any one. He was apparently in good spirits when he left here Saturday night for Springfield.

Decatur, IL Review Sept 29, 1913 p12