Jack Smith had been out of prison for less than a day when he was found dead in a Grand Island hotel room.
Released from the state penitentiary at Lincoln, the 27-year-old returned to Grand Island penniless and alone. By evening, he had managed to get enough money for a meal and a night’s lodging at the Savoy Hotel.
The next morning, smoke drifting into the hallway drew employees to his room. When they forced the door open, they found Smith dead on the floor while the remains of a small fire still smoldered around him.
Whether he had taken his own life, been overcome by smoke, or died from illness remained uncertain. With no family nearby and few clues left behind, his final night became a mystery.
Ex-convict Found Dead in Hotel Room
GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska. — Mystery surrounds the death of Jack Smith, 27 years old, whose body was found in a room in the Savoy Hotel here at 8 a.m.
Smith was released from the state penitentiary at Lincoln yesterday. He returned penniless to Grand Island last night. He served a one-year sentence, having been sentenced in Lancaster County.
Without funds, Smith is said to have begged funds last night. He paid for a meal and a night’s lodging and went to his room.
Employees of the hotel broke into Smith’s room this morning, when they detected smoke in the hall.
The found the ex-convict on the floor dead. Fire, which still was smoldering, had destroyed the contents of the room.
The authorities are puzzled as to whether the man took his own life, was overcome by smoke or died of heart disease. He is said to have suffered from tuberculosis.
He was single and had no relatives in this part of the country.
Source: Omaha Daily Bee. Omaha, Neb. December 15, 1917.
