The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-18


The facts appear to be briefly these. Mr.. A.
7. BsAspA was, during seven years, conf
Dental clerk to Mssrs. MAooxDRAY Of the
above mentioned city, and from bis steady
business habits and application, obtain
cd the unlimited confidence and esteem OF bis
employers, but latterly be had fallen into
those habits Of luxurious living and dissipa-
ton that have ruined 10 many young men
in the Golden State, and 10 short, II was dis
covered that he had oyerIrawn bis account
with the firm some nineteen hundred dollar.
which he had covered with false entries
lie was taxed with the fraud and ackDowl-
edged il, but there were no steps taken Tor
his prosecution, and ~ he could have made
the deficiency good In short time, there
was no immediate reason for taking his lite,
which, however, he did, and under the most
extraordinary circumstances, Hepurchased
some strychnine, and going short distance
out Of town, on horseback, wrote letter,
detailing the effect Of the poison on him,
fastened il 10 the saddle Of his horse and
tben turned the animal adrift, which. return
ing 10 his own stable bore the news ~ re-
lated below to the unfortunate mans TN
ploycr.
IL appears that Branda, ~ soon as he had
written the letter and turned the h0rsc lOOsc,
went TO spot midway ON tho road between
the Preside House and the Cometary, and
there swallowed large dose Of strycnlne.--
A milk man residing at the corner Of larkin
and Bush streets, who happened that way,
found him lying In agony about three O'Clock
and conveyed him TO the house OF Mr.. Chard,
n little south OF the Preside House, and near
10 Sagc's ranch, where all possible attention
wna shown him. At four O'Clock the Coro-
ncr arrived, aud during the next hour, in
the intervals between the paroxysms, Branda
eonycrsed freely and nationally with him
lie acknowledged his oficnse. and also that
he had swallowed large quantity OF stryc-
nine, and desired TO take no remedy M h.
wished 10 die All that medical skill could
do 10 save his life was donc---but in vain /;
ut five o'clock he brenthcd his last gasp
The body was brought 10 the ROOMS he had
occupied on Sacramento street. over Ham.
monas store. An inquest will be held, this
evening, ut seven o'clock.
II IA stated that Brandas mother IL now
residing Ia France. though others say Rome.
This dcplorable affair has caused great
grief among the members Of the house Of
Macondray h Co. and large circle OF
friends Of the deceased. II has also given
rise TO many spculations, and rumor, with
her countless tongues, has already ascribed n
variety Of reasons for the dreadful deei.--
IL Ia said in some quarters, and by persons
profcssipg 10 be friends Of IIra1da. that he
had gamblcd, and was more deeply involved
than at present appears. Others insinuatc
that il Is unreasonable to suppose that u
man in the receipt Of salary OF S5,00Opr
annum and with large amount OF money
belonging TO him, should commit suicide on
account OF deialcation Of 81 900.
A copy Of the letter written by the UNI
fortunate deceased to Capt. Macondray. ia
given below. When discovered by Mr..
Haley, Branda appeared to be suffering IN
tenac agony nom the effects OF the poison he
had taken. by his side was found small
vial, containing about four grains OF s'ryc''-
nine. aud scattered on the ground were
SCRAPS Of paper torn from memorandum
book. On these pieces Of paper deceased
wrote disjonlcd sentences with pencil ex.
prcssiyc Of his feelings and the thoughts ny
permost in his mind after swallowing the
! deadly substance. The character OF his
! handwriting, as the time passed and ~ tho
poison operated IN the system, grew NOR,
/ iremulous and iudistinct. Both sides at III,
/ PAPER aro written on, except the last scrap
which contains only these words, 81 am dy'
probably put there at the moment dec 'ase
fcll into the first paroNysm. The sad fate o
Branda present one OF the most singular
cases on record. The effect on his mother
OF the intelligence of his sci'dcs'rutio'
seemed to give him great concern; while TN
strange circumstance uf noting down the et
feet Of s,rychnine, rs It sappcd the vita
powers, and other remarks, ia an illustration
of the extraordinary state of mind {" which
he was brought.
LETTER TO cart. xAcuNDRAS.
Carr MACoNpRAy--l have injured you
you. one Of the best Of men. Forgive me
oh | am nearly crazy and will soon be dead
Think of IT, IN 4 Tow moments 10 bo in TN
presence Of God feel cool. yet mad-t'
think that am thus suddenly to leave thi
world, this beautiful view and all my friends
oh. God, NY poor mother; do hope she i
not alive. This misery will kin her. lprs,
an forgive me, | feel cold this damp air
the steamer has just fred her gun thanh
God she Is Off Tell G0rgc Clifford tc tax,
my pencil and do afterwards with il as h,
thinks best, aud TO he kind 10 the giycr,
leave ten dollars give the man of III,
horse that amount.
say TO Judge Pager ! am mad ask Tor
giyencss OF him. A. +, BR,SpA.
Jan. 20. ls5s.
/ Ga the back Of this letter the following
was added
You will find my body on the bill nea