The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-10
SAD CASE OF SUICIDE.
Death OF MIR. Meade, the Photograph
er, by Taking Laudanum.-TOuc
Farewell Letters by the Deceased
Pecuniary Embarrassm ents and Do
nestle Difliculties..The supposed
Incentive to the Deed.

fecunfary mbarfasSm ents anu NO.
nestle Dihiculties..The Supposed
Incentive to the Deed.
From New York World, 2sth.
Yesterday morning very melancholy
case of suicide was brought to light at the
Tammany Hotel, corner of Frankfort anC
Nassau, which, from the peculiar clrcum.
stances surrounding the deceased, render:
it more than usually interesting. The vic.
tim of the act of self-destruction was Mr.
H.W. NJ. Meade, of the old established
firm of Meade Brothers, photographers,
doing business at 233 Broadway. Between
and 10 o'clock on Thursday night, a
gentleman appeared at the Office Of the
hotel and registered his name as eli.
W. ShaRagee, N. " He applied for a
room for the night, and as the clerk had
seen him there before, he did not hesitate
to give him room. The stranger ordered
drink to be sent to bis room, and then
retired. Nothing further was seen of him
that night and yesterday morning, as he
did not make his appearance, servant
was sent up to his room, but receiving no
replies to his summons for admission, the
door, which was locked on the inside, was
forced open, and the occupant was found
lying on the bed quite lifeless. Four empty
phials, which had each contained small
quantities of laudanum, indicated the mode
Of death.
Coroner Gamble held an inquest, when
the testimony, the finding of the laudanum
in the stomach, the empty phials and the
last letters left by deceased, tended to
satisfy the jury that the deceased had
committed suicide, ard verdict to that
effect was returned. The deceased was 40
years of age, and resided at No. 81 Sew
enth street. He leaves widow and two
children to mourn bis untimely end.
The following is a full copy Of the letters
left by the deceased, and which were taken
possession of by the Coroner:
LETTER TO HIS WIFE.
The first letter opened was to Mrs. H.W.
n. Meade, and its contents were as follows:
NEW YORK, Jan. Is, 1866,
My DEAR WIFE: For all our disagreements
! hope you forgive me and this cowardIy and
rash act. 1 loved you dearly, but the way
was situated, and various other things made
oar lives unhappy. May God bless you, and
make you happy, and may we meet above
with my dear children. Pray for the repose of
ny soul, and my dear children also. / am in
olicu u st;ste VI uuluU i IlaTuiy hUON "It.th L
write, but / am weary of the world.
Your affectiOnate husband
II. W. NJ. MEADE.
/ heard of Mr. Branch's death from your
brother. DO not blame you, so be happy.
LETTER TO HIS CHILDREN.
The second letter was addressed to
Misses Sarah and Jessie Meade, as follows:
New YORK, Jan. %.
My DARLING CHILDREN, SARAH AND j EssIE:
Forever pray for the repose OF your fathers
soul, and pray that we may meet in that heaV-
cnly home where We hope to be at peace for
ever.
knows how my heart yearned towards you and
all ask of YOU is to be virtuous aud you will
be happy Sometimes come to my grave, my
darlings, and bring flowers. God bless and
comfort you.
Your atIectionate but unhappy FATHER.
l should like your pictures buried with me;
also the hair chain to be found in my trunk.
NV watch is for Sarah, and my horses seal for
Jessie, which is in my trunk.
The third letter was addressed as fol-
lows: n. X. Meade, Esq, Meade Bros,
233 Bdway." The contents were:
LRrrRR TO HIS FATHER.
NEw YORK. Jan. %.
DEAR FATHER: Be comforted. We have all
our faults. but l see no prospect for the flu
ture. trust your friends in Philadelphia and
Mr.. Graham will see you taken care of. 1t is
an unworthy and cOwardly act do, but can
not help it and hope God will forgive me for
it. Your affectionate son, hENR1:
P. ST. could say nothing this morning
when left.
LETTER TO HIS SISTER.
Tie fourth epistle was addressed to
Miss Meade, and ran rs follows:
Npu YOpX January %
Ny DEAR SISTER: DO not fret or worry
ahs,t me | want to be laid beside my poor
mother 70 Ba,e peacc. God alone KNOWS the
sorrows of my heart. Ihare been placed IN q
peculiar position. / have been faint hearted
and generous have made a mistake. l nope
God will forgive this cruel act. we are not
our own keepers Lay me beside my mother
in Greenwood, and comfort all who care about
me. Ihope God will forgive me, and that we
may all meet In heaven.
Your affectionate brother Kenny.
My love to Katy and Harry. To Mrs. Foote
] wish you to express nv great thanks. naFs
written Mr. Grab IN about her.
LErTEE TO Mr.. GRAHAM.
The fifth letter was directed to }. L.
Graham, Metropolitan Insurance Com
pany, New York, and was As follows:
NEw YORK, Jan. "a, 1865.
Dr.pEsr AND BEST or FRIENDS II have haC
to disguise many things from you as well al
others, according to the custom of this world
Take care of these that are left, if possible
The sale of the gallery, &c., will provide some
thing for them thrust my sad fate may be
warning to those who indulge III LIQUORS, AM
nomntrv am in such a state of mind com
nittinS this cowardly and foolish act, kno,
not what to do. hope good GOD will re
ward YOU for your kindness. II my wife shoul
not marry again, as you have no children,
would be great relief to me # you woul
adopt them and bring them up IN virtue i; an
goodness. and always let them remember the
unhappy father with kindness, and visit n
grave. Oh! let them try and forget the unh
" act and remember me with KINDNESS that
| have endeayored to show to them. nope n
wife will get good husband, and that we m
| meet in heaven where all is pure ana rigt
| Excuse the pencil, writing and other INN
! under the dreadful circumstances.
| - Yours. very afectionateiy.
| s.a II. w. MATTHEW MEADE.
NIB. ! saw plain the business would I
| ~,,l I If no, ont of the SffSl