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- .TOuchfng
Farewell Letters by the Deceased"-
Peeuniary Embarrassm ents and DO
inestic DiHiculties..The supposed
incentive to the Deed.

ucsuc DlmcuItiess.she SuPP"SS>
incentive to the Deed.
From New York World, 2sth.
Yesterday morning very meianchol.
case of suicide was brought to light at tn
Tammany Hotel, corner of Frankfort ant
Nassau, which, from the peculiar clrcum
stances surrounding the deceased, render
it more than usually interesting. The vic
tim of the act of self-destfuction was Mr.
81. W. NJ. Meade, of the old established
firm of Meade Brothers, photographers
doing business at 233 Broadway. Between
8 and 10 o'clock on Thursday night, 8
gentleman appeared at the Office Of the
hotel and registered his name as eli.
W. ShaHagee, N. Y 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 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. a. W.
n. Meade, and its contents were as follows:
New YORK, Jan. %, 1866,
My DEAR WIFE: For all our disagreements
! hope you forgive me and this cowardly and
rash act. / loved you dearly, but the way
.yas 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 l am in
such a state of mind l hardly know what l
write, but / am weary of the world
Your atfcctionate husband.
H.. NJ. MEADE.
heard of Mr.. 8ranch's death from your
brother. l Go 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. rs.
My DARLING CHILDREN, SARAH AND ESsIE:
Forever pray for the repose of your fathers
inf ma " IN pat n
cnly home where we hope to be at peace for
ever.
Oh, forgive me for what have done. God
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.
| 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 sea! for
Jessie, which is in my trunk.
The third letter was addressed as fol-
lows: III. K Meade, Esq, Meade Bros,
233 B'dway." The contents were;
LITTER TO HIS FATHER.
NEw YORK. Jan. 70.
DEAR FATHER: Be comfOrted. We have all
our faults, but l see no prospect for the fu-
ture | trust YOUR friends in Philadelphia and
Mr.. Graham viii see you taken care of. 1t is
an unworthy and cOwardy act do, but can.
not help it and hope God will forgive NE for
it, Your aifectionate son, HENRY.
P. ST. could say nothing this morning
when left.
LETTER TO HIS SISTER.
Tie fourth episte was addressed to
Miss Meade, and ran as follows:
NEW York. january ~.
Ny DEAR SISTER: DO not fret or worry
los1 has m
r,uther 70 b1re peace. God alone knows the
sorrows Of nv heart Iharc been placed IN a
peculiar position | have been faint hearted
and generous have made mistake. L nope
God viii! forgive this cruel act we are not
our own keepers. Lay me beside my mOthet
in Greenwood, and comfort all who care aoo.'
me. Ihope God will forgive me, ana tnat w
may all meet IN heaven.
Your atfectionate brother. HENh1.
My love to Katy aud Harry. To Mrs. toote
wish you to express nv great thanks. hav'
written Mr.. Grab IN about her.
LErTEI To Mr.. GEAHAM.
The fifth letter was directed to j. j.
Graham, Metropolitan Insurance Com
pany, New York, and was As follows:
Nrw YORK, JAN "a. 1866.
Mr.. Graham:
DEAREST AND BEST oF FRIENDS IL have hat
10 disguise many things from you as well q
others.
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
maEe them reform. Il is the curse of tn
country. I am in such a state of mind con
Uniting this cowardly and foolish az act, kno'
ward YOU for YOUR kindness. II my wife shoul
not marry again, as you have no children
would be srsat relief tn to me- in y yq, wG
~nnsness and always let them remember the
Unhappy father with kindness, and visit n
grave. Ga! let them try and forget the u no
| lyact, and remember me with hino'IeSo Luat
| have endeavored to show TO them. nope
[ wife will get good husband. and that we IN
meet in heaven where all is pure. and rig
Excuse the pencil, writing and oteer th!n
! under the dreadful circumstances.
Yours. very atfectionateiy.
H. w. MATTHEW MEADE.
NIB. saw plain the business would !
nav. and l request to be paid out OF the sffsl
| t,nn t> Mrs f So5 Mr. v y harrow