The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-04

Suicide of One-E Jed Thompson.
TIE ARREST OF THOMPSON AND HIS DEATH-HIs
LETTERS TO THE CORONER AND ms wIFE-His
INTERVIEWS WITH THE REV. MR. LEsTRADE AND
OR REPORTER, on SUNDAY
William II. Thompson, known 0ne.Eyed Thomp
son died yesterday morning, at Q quarter past six
O'Clock, in the Essex street prison. 1t will be
recollected he was in prison on a charge Of coun-
terteiting. His death was caused by taking thirty
two grain. Of morphine stated by him In letter left
directed to the Coroner lie also left letter directed
to his wife and note directed to Mr.. Oliver keeper
Of the jail, requesting him to inform his wife Of his
death. Groans were heard from his cell at half past
nine O'Clock Sunday night, when the officers ound
him in state Of almos. insensibility. lie fingered
TIL d. sth put period to his saiIeriags Early in
the morning information was despatched to Coroner
Gser Who at once attended the scene Of death, and
commemorative
inquest.
After empsnsling . jury, the following letter,
written by the deceased and directed to the
wss read in evidence
LITTER FROM THOMPSON TO tuE CORONER.
There IL nothing extraord inaiy in my end From my
boyish days az far back my memory serves, have
had a Opposition to commit suicide. Surrounded ~
Amy,tery above my apprehension, and one that no
theory promul BY others sp peared to solution
Of have desrsd death as either the mean. OF better
comprehsnsion, or a. state of eternal quiet. For
long time have lived only for others-those that
could not but love and was bound TO protsot OF my
4 JUDGE / am aware But Why should do go
The history Of the past b index to the future and
the hope II being OF fur her family has de-
parted. solopg I. man may b u,etu TO those he Is
boundto protect the act OF suicide Is selfish criminal
aid eovardly. But / cannot conceive it so when
mis- eontn ued existence IL likely to be attended with
no good effect For reasons. aud from causes not ne
ces,ary Tor me TO eSplsin-but apart from any
danger that may nov be supposed to THREAT.
/ en- my liberty, for such sxst-I feel that
/ II is my duty TO die. My death may serve those
Il / an physcsly and msatally Incapable Of for.
II bsrsntripu m only In he futu nd
those most gifted and wise would not like to live their
pest lie over. 30 little Is lite worth. So iss my
| ability allowed have been all that man could be
TO his children. Their reputation. with that Of my
wife 10 unstainsd and TO the eharitaels and good I
commend them The unthlnkins and malignant win
perrscuts them on my account
The coEGdly and base will sndsavor 70 make
espltai sy Pueiios.i'os TO my injury. For money
| svs, virtuous woman, and her helpless children.
who knows What the morrow may bring forth,
or What father can foretsli The tate OF bis chill
\ dren, The intsrposition OF the thinking aud the
virisous again impiors Let not my In 2ued sins Be
Ips. stens Tor al TS.y .bouia :. .ush..ns' beg
the forgiveness Of those have injured aud die forgv.
ing al without malice, er Tor any other than justa-
I solsmuly declar. that the Drury, are guilty
| of eli Win whish they have been charged
that Warner had any knowledge Of the torpedo, pre-
vous 10 lie sIpo.cn s false Gates mistakenly ssesrs
10 my beirg 10 New York at he time he specifies
At seven clock on III. evening in question left ms
house a. tsveral will testify. Al halt past seven
O'Clock -ss in the drug store Of Mr. Rice. and from
there returned home and vent out With wife as
many knor Who met Us whsn sbrosd. The disposition
made Of my body. TO me cas b 81 no conssg usnce.
Yet, tar Gao, desire 70 spare the feelings 81
those Who loved me while living on their account,
20 prevent mutilstion that would increase their suf
fsriug. state that death vas csussd By 81 grsis.
% seststs Of morphine. / procured Il without the
conpisanes Of any one WI. THOMPSON.
After the sbov. letter ". read. the evidence Of DR.
Stiles vas taken, whose testimony vent to sho- that
IN. deceased to his death By quantity Of NOR.
phine The following verdict was rendered b. the
jury" That the deceased came to his death By taking
. quantity Of acetate Of morphine BY his own hand
thereby causing his death
LErrss rRow THOMPSON 70 ne vtrr
WIFE o. ny soul, Divinity Of my affections, M "a
tent enduring gentle and afsctionate Mary ere this
meets your eye. trust that eternal rspose will have
settled upon your unhappy husband We're thi, ne
charge my obiy trouble could certainly overcome r.
OF al the plants made 10 mr. prejudice, Il could
10 the meet sssv defeated for ct the very time half
past seven clock. when Gates s-esrs be cav me in
New Yors, "a In DR. Ric.s store, he rsconeots,
and previous thereto, for hour you aud others
snor me % have been in Brooklyn. But, my Mary,
I'm siek q life, 80 much 90 that am inrapabls ~
longer continuing H. have lost all hope Of being a
benefit 20 you snd our it'll. oness hope tsst atone
has SUSTAINED years 81 vretched existence and made
me capable 81 meeting and defeating more thao most
men similarly etfcum stsnces could hav. done
know, d.srest Molly that you -ili suffer tims By
my lo. Net only, sweet one, through your snsstion
or me but upon you oil devolve the ess OF our FAINT
~ Cheer up-waste no time mourning for os- Who
IL unworthy OF Jou. TO you. " vas hard fate that
joined our fortunes Once s-ay aud Kind friend. viii
prot. ct you our reputation hss been a.aied
and NJ woman ever pOsssssed pufsr or better nat1re
a. ali NO know you will witness DO not iacfsass
your tuhsrings By supposing ny lasT moments 70 Ne
peculiarly miserable am almost restrained sss.t wife
IRON giripv word. 60 mr. affection aud disposed 20
write eoldy for fear 81 too powerfully affecting you
7 have more regard Tor Jour tears than for mr.
blsod; and. II could would welcome etsrnity Of
torture N by doing could secure yoay happiness
Again. say death tor me apart from combinations
Of Gu and our chill ren. has terror have fear
nd hsre leave To the Divine Mgsf-ry
that created me, and t. ~hom can ors rssps7.
sibilty NJ s.stny " fThllsd, snd the Crest Crsax
cannot mistake the purpo, - o. bis meuhanism
On my breast nearest the heart tbst has bes. for
you slons place lock Of yorr hair. -tb the one
prsservsd Of fathers togsth n With our ehiif-sos
20 that Nth du,t sssir iIte psrtion 81 the
aoft - tbose vhom have loved 90 vel
should like to be- buried In New Jersey, in the
pun" uosnd Of M uncle, bat DO not esrv- spend ne