PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire – January 23, 1924 – Lieutenant Commander Howard Priest, U.S.N. Medical Corps, died at the Naval Hospital this morning from the effects of having swallowed a quantity of poison at his residence on Cass Street Thursday evening, January 10.  Priest was one of the best-liked officers at the local station.  He was 39 years old and a native of Pennsylvania, from which State he was appointed to there service April 10, 1914.

During the World War he was with the fleet engaged in mining operations in the North Sea and later was stationed at Santo Domingo. About a year and a half ago he was transferred to this yard from the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.  He is survived by his wife and two children.

No reason is attributed for his act, except that since the first of December Lieutenant Priest had been ailing and was unable to sleep at night.  The funeral will be held Friday morning at 11 from St. John’s Episcopal Church and the body will be sent to Washington for interment in the National Cemetery at Arlington.