Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-08-17
A WelI-knOwn Detroit Lawyer found
Dead I'm n Cemetery.


from the Detroit Free Press, Aug. 81
A most mysterious and shocking
tragedy occurred yesterday, which has
occasioned much surprise in this city.
William S. Atwood, a well-known law
yer, was found dead in Elmwood Gem
etery, about half-past eleven Saturday
forenoon, under circumstances that
seem to warrant supposition that he
committed suicide. A party of ladies,
who were walking about the grounds,
discovered the corpse, and gave the
alarm. An officer was despatched to
the spot to investigate the matter,
when, to his horror, he recognized the
remains of Major Atwood, who, but
two hours before, was seen on the
street alive. and apparently in the best
of spirits. AS soon as possible, Cor
oner Austin, being notified of the
affair, FASTENED to summon a jury, and
proceeded to the scene of the tragedy.
The deceased was found between the
graves of his sister-i n-law and adopted
child, lying upon his back, with his
arms folded calmly across his breast,
and his feet crossed composedly, as if
he mad only laid down to sleep.
His hat, glasses and cane were lying
by his side, apparently as he bad
placed them, and his whole appear
ance indicated an entire absence of suf-
fering or struggles. Upon examining
his person, his little effects were found
undisturbed, so there can be scarcely
room for doubt that his death was of
his own choosing. An examination of
his pocket book revealed two freshly
plucked daises, a small quantity of
blue vitriol, few unimpOrtant papers,
aud some trinkets, while In the breast
pocket of his coat was an ambrotype of
his dead child, whom he is said to have
loved with a devotion amounting al
most TO idolatry. He is known to have
once remarked to a friend, as he point
ed to the grave of his little one, "Un-
der that mound my heart lies buried.
The inquest developed nothing that
could in any manner throw light upon
the sad transaction, and it was deemed
advisable to adjourn until Monday. BY
direction OF the coroner, Mr.. Bronson,
the undert iker removed his body to
his place on Larned street, where it
was packed in ice, and later In the
evening removed to the residence of
his father in-law, Mr.. Granger, where
he resided. The wife of the deceased,
in company with her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Granger, has been spending the
summer at Niagara, where the dreadful
news was communicated to her last
evening by telegraph.
There are many surmises as to the
probable causes which led to this step,
but nothing definite has ct been as
certained. He is known to have de-
stroyed large amount of papers at bis
office on Friday evening, but the fact
that he at that time, and up to the last
hour he was seen, conducted himself as
usual, not appearing In the least de-
ected, adds to the mystery in which
his tragic death is shrouded. The most
surmises that have yet been
offered are that financial embarrass-
ments of a peculiarly pressing charac-
ter. together with his great grief at the
loss of his child, wrought so heavily
upon his mind that he destroyed the
life that had become burden.
Major Atwood had very many warm
friends, and all must remember the rare
bon hOmBae and courteous demeanor he
always exhibited.
As a soldier he made an honorable
record, and won the highest respect of
officers and men. Brave and gallant in
battle, he was unquestiOnably entitled
to the tribute always paid to brave men.
His unexpected and awful death has
created a profound sensation among his
legal brethren, and formal action will
be taken by them on Monday.