The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-19


eide of Henry William Herbert, the
well known Author Let
ters of the Deceased OF
the Coroner's Inquest-Sketch of the
Life and Writings of Herbert-Ap-
pearance Of his Late Home near
Newark, &c., &c.
Henry William Herbert, the author, better known
by the nom de plume of "Frank Forester" COM
mitted suicide about two o'clock Monday morn
ing, in his rooms at the Stevens House, Broadway,
New York, by shooting himself through the heart
with pistol. Domestic difficulties led to the COM
mission of the rash act. The deceased was married
about three months ago, but he had not been living
with his wife more than six weeks or so when they
quarrelled, and she separated from him. Herbert
suffered immense mental agony in consequence OF
the severe blow, and in his ravng often threatened
to commit suicide. He carried the dreadful threat
into execution on Monday, and accomplished his
purpose in cool and premeditated manner.
About three weeks ago deceased left his home at
the "Cedars," Newark, N. j., and came to
New York. He took suit of comfortable rooms at
the Stevens House, and resumed the labors of his
profession an author, until within the past few
days, when he determined to put an end to his ex-
stence, and thus end all his earthly troubles With
that object in view he prepared himself for death;
wrote number of letters informing his friends of
his intention to commit suicide, and giving them
directions how to dispose of his body and his effects
1t not the intention of deceased to commit sui
eide he did, as the date o. his letters
evidently show that he had set apart to-day-the
18th inst.-for the commission of the deed.
On Sunday Mr.. Herbert sent for Mr.. Phillip H.
Anthon, friend of his, and requested him to re-
main with him long possible. The deceased
complained Of great loneliness, and signfed his in
tention to commit suicide before twentyfour hours
would elapse. Mr.. Anthon passed the entire day
with him, and endeavOrcd to cheer him up and dis
suade him from selfdestruction. Herbert talked of
nothing but suicide, and evinced desire to perish
in the cemetery at Newark the spot where he last
parted with his wife. He told Mr.. Anthon that his
wife had declined holding any further intercourse
or correspondence with him, and that a letter to
that effect had reached him through his LAWYER in
Nassau street. on Saturday. The effect produced
by the determination on the part of his wife to
all intercourse with him was such to hasten the
work of self-destructan some two days.
About two o'clock in the afternoon deceased and
Mr.. Anthon left the hotel for walk, and returned
about ten p. NJ. They went up stairs to the rooms
occupied by deceased, when the latter again broach-
ed the subject of suicide and said he was determined
to kill himself that night. While they talking
together, about two o'clock A. NJ, Herbert rose
from his seat and went into his bedroom for a few
seconds, when the sharp report of pistol startled
Mr.. Anthon. The work was accomplished Stimuli
nvclomation II told Won would do II ,, oa1no fn,,,
thn Inns of the suicide she staooarnd boc INTO th
parlor and fell to the floor. Mr.. Anthon immedi-
ately pull the be-rope and gave the alarm with
the view of procuring the aid of a physician. but
before any medical aid could be obtained life had
Hed rbe hall from tbn nistoI nntornd tbo Ioft
breast of deceased and punctured the heart causing
almost instant death.
Wbcn tbn room, occuriod nv docoosod v,oS ,,;itod
nv Coronnr Gamble vpsterdav ,norninr tbo Sconn
nresented was n most mrlanchoI, ono Tho bod,
Of deceased Io,, ovtcndod mon tbc narIor Hoo in .
LARGO nooI of Hood Nnor tho corbSo On = ,,,it;ro
dnsI wore several nocl,arns Of Inttprs Amonn tb
numbcr was one found directed to tho Coronnr c,
mIonatorT of Tho canso which Ied 10 Tho
IF tbo Sric;Jo. II rood os fnIloy.s
Vi 'ii' '"'oi"'' - io"' to io'i'"S'
HEEIERTS LETTER TO THE CORONER.
TUESDAY, May 18th, lS5S--(Three months !
since the happiest day fmy life) I
To avoid all trouble, and simplify your duty, |
have to state that have taken my own life by Il
pistol, no one being privy to my doing so or to my
design.
My reason for this act consists in no remorse for
anything have done or left undonc-from no pc
cunary pressure-from no inability or fear of ina
bility to support myself-rOm no weak fear of pub
lie opinion least of all of the public opinion of New
ark, which do now, as have always done, utter
ly disregard and despise-from no embarrassment
arising from any indebtedness.
have abundance of employment, and the pros
pect of much more. Had the people of Newark
whom | forgive from the bottom of my heart-suf-
tered me to live harmlessly and happily in my hum
Bile home, and to amend my life where it was in er-
ror in new sphere, which was honestly prepared
to do, might have paid off all my debts, and lived
many years among you an honest, useful and happy
man. My debts will be paid from assets to the last
dollar.
1t was not, however, so to be. My blood and the
guilt of it are upon those women and men of New
ark who first sowed suspicion, dstrust and dissen-
sion between myself and the sweetest creature God
ever gave and man took away from an unhappy
sinner. My own unhappy temper did the rest
The reason for this act is simple. NV life, long,
sad and solitary and weary, and without an object
beyond labor to earn living Tor the day, has be-
come utterly hopeless, hateful and uncomfortable.
hope had been kindled in my heart; again my
home had got light brighter than sqnshne-my
life had apurpose; loved her unutterably- happy;
all this has been dashed down, all Is lost forever
home, hope sunshine. She let life 90 likewise;
since, hencetorth 1T is another word Tor torture
would not deny lalsely one llult OF Wlllch am
conscious, especlaly at tlils hOmeht Would not
deny that erred towards ner wh0m thls day SHOWS
loved more than lie. ana err, Dut IL was hastlly,
In rash act or rash word; never, so may God deal
with me, in thought or lntlmatlon. never had
word with her about money matters, nor cared nor
scarcely knew whether she had or mad not money.
| meyer laid hand or hnger on her In wrath IN my
ife-what said or did wrongfully repented on
the instant have endeavored to- atone for 1t ever
since. die for 1t this day. L think, L hope de-
serve pity more than blame, but know that shall
not find it, least OF all IN Newark.
al To- T
can say truly, with my last breath, never
wronged man or woman IN my lie by premedlta-
tion, or failed to ask pardon and make atonement
when could do so.
never bore malice in my life; repent OF all my
faults and sins, and have endeavored to amend
them.
die in perfect peace and charity with all men; l
beg forgiveness of all those against whom L have
sinned; forgive all those who have sinned against
me, even the woman who called at my own house
and set my wite's thoughts hrst against me-ln
proof of it | am sure | know her, but do not name
her name; beg God to forgive me, as forgive all
my enemies; die in perfect faith and trust in my
Redeemer, and believe that IN Him shall have eter-
nal life
Henry WILLIAM HERBERT.
Then there was the following letter to the news
paper press OF this country, evidently intended ior
puDhcatlon:
HERBERT LETTER TO THE PUBLIC.
To the Press of the United States Of America
Before going to my account | would say few
words to the Press of America and to its nducors
10 yrhp | hara for