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 LaudanuIn-.TOuchin
Farewell Letters by the Deceased
Pecuniary Embarrassments and Do
nestle DifEiculties..The supposed
Incentive TO the Deed,

nestle Difiiculties..The suppose
Incentive to the Deed.
From New York World, 2sth. !,
Yesterday morning very meianchol
case of suicide was brought to light at To
TammaDy Hotel, corner of Frankfort an
Nassau, which, from the peculiar circum
stances surrounding the deceased, render
it more than usually interesting. The vic
tim of the act of self-destfuction was MI
II. W. NJ. Meade, of the old establishe,
firm of Meade Brothers, photographers
doing business at 233 Broadway. Between
9 and 10 o'clock on Thursday night,
gentleman appeared at the office Of tn,
hotel and registered his name as "H
W. Shanagee, N. Y" He applied for &
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, a 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 laudanun, 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 full copy Of the letters
left by the deceased, and which were taken
possession of by the Coroner:
LETTER TO HIS WIFE. a.
The first letter opened was to Mrs. 81. W.
n. Meade, and its contents were as follows:
New YORK, Jan. rs, 1866,
My DEAR WIFE: For oil our DISBURSEMENTS
| hope you forgive me and this cowardly and
rash act. / 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
my soul, and my dear children also. 1 am in
such state of mind / hardly know what I
write, but I am weary of the world.
Your affectionate husband.
H.W NJ. MEADE.
1 heard Of Mr.. Branch's death from your
brother. do not blame you, so be happy.
LETTER TO HIS CHILDREN.
Tie second letter was addressed to
Misses Sarah and Jessie Meade, as follows:
New YORK, Jan. rs.
My DARLING CHILDREN, SARAH AND JESSIE
Forever pray for the repose of your fathers
soul, end pray that we may meet In that heav-
enly home where we hope to be at peace for
ever.
On, forgive me for what have done. God
knows how my heart yearned towards you, and
all ask of YOU is to be yirtuOus aud you will
be happy Sometimes come to my grave, my
darlings, and bring flowers. God bless and
comfort you. .a
Your afIectionate but unhappy FATHER.
| shonld 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: III. X. Meade, Esq, Meade Bros,
233 Bdway." The contents were:
LITTER TO HIS FATHER.
NEW YORK. Jan. %.
DEAR FATHER: Be comforted. We have all
L
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 atfectionate son, HENRY:
P. ST. could say nothing this morning
when l left
LETTER TO HIS SISTER.
Tie fourth epistle was addressed to
Miss Meade, and ran as follows:
New York, January %.
Ny DEAR SISTER: DO not fret or worry
about me. | want to be laid beside my poor
mother 10 haze peace. God alone knows the
sorrows of my heart Ihavc been placed in Q
peculiar position. have been faint hearted
and pererous. have made mistake nope
God will forgive this cruel act. we are no'
our own keepers. Lay me beside my mOtnel
in Greenwood, and comfort oil who care aoou
me. Ihope God will forgive me, and that w
Your affectionate brother. HENRY.
My love to Katy and Harry. To Mrs. FOOT
I wish you to express my great thanks. nav
written Mr.. Grab 'm about her.
LETTER TO Mr.. GRAHAM.
The fifth letter was directed to j. l.
Graham, Metropolitan Insurance Com
pany, New York, and was as follows:
-l.I a NEw YORK, Jan. o. 1866.
DEAREST AND BEST OF FRIENDS IL have ha
20 DISGUISE many things from you as well O
others, according to the custom Of this world
Take care of these that are left if possible
The sale of the gallery, Sc, will provide some
thing for them. thrust my sad fate may be
warning to those who indulge in liquors, an
make them reform. 1t is the curse of til
country. / am in such state of mind con
uniting this cowardly and foolish act, kno
not what to do. I hope q good God will r
ward Won for vour kindness. If my wife shou
not marry again, as you have no children,
would be a great relief to me II you won
adopt them and bring them up IN virtue al
goodness, and always let them remember thu
unhappy father with kindness, and visit 7
grave. Oh let them try and forget the uni
" act, and remember me with KINDNESS that
| have endeavored to show to them. nope
vile will get good husband. and that we
| meet in heaven where all Is pure ana rig
4 Excuse the pencil, writing and other thin
4 under the dreadful circumstances.
| t4Hs Yours, very affectionately.
| ss8ss So II. w. MATTHEW MEADE
NIB. 7 saw plain the business would !
nav. and request to be paid out of the alta