Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-13
VOL. XXXV.
0bio Statesn1ar.
Mysterious Deash-A Prominent
Citizen Drinks a Glass of Wine,
and In n Few Moments Expires.

IFrom the Chicago Times. Nov.7.l
| The particulars of recent occurrence
in the North division. of peculiarly dis
tressing and mysterious nature, have just
come to light. The affair, which resulted
| In the death of prominent citizen of that
division. on Sunday morning last, has, un-
til now. tor prudential reasons, been with
held from the public. The matter Is still
undergoing an investigation, but no in
| quest has yet been held, and it is probable,
| that, as yet, the coroner has not been noti-
fled of the occurrences. But, though these
Investigations have been pending since
Sunday last, the whole matter is still
| shrouded In as great mystery as ever.
Owing to the efforts made to keep the
particulars from the public, the details of
| the affair given below are necessarily mea-
gre: A few months since Mr.. F. NJ. Peter
son opened q drug store at No. 3l2 North
avenue, but whether he was a new resident
of the city at that time could not be learn
ed last evening. His business did not sue
ceed as well as he had anticipated, and
eliminated few days ago in a disastrous
failure, his assets being reported largely
below his liabilities. 1t is also reported
that he had met with q similar misfortune
before. His misfortunes in business, par
ticularly his last failure, seemed to have
preyed on his mind until, except when
stimulated by some artificial excitement,
he had become habitually melancholy AMI
llow-spirited, and was led to seek amuse-
ments which he would otherwise have
avoided.
On Saturday night last, he attended o
tdance, where, 1t is not known. His wife,
who Is reputed to be very beautiful and
accomplished lady, did not accompany
him, but, in company with some other la
dies, supposed to have been visitors in his
family, sat up to await his return. At an
carly hour on Saturday morning last he
returned home, and found his wife and the
parently in rather better spirits than usu-
al. and, soon after entering the room, he
poured out some raspberry wine, glass
for himself and one for each of the ladies.
After chatting few moments, he drank
his glass Of wine, the ladies only slipping
theirs. In few minutes after that draught
he was a. corpse. - -.-- - =.
These are the main facts of the case, and,
very naturally, it gives rise to a variety of
surmises. Was this sudden death attribu-
table to that glass of wine? lift was drug
ged, who did it !? These are grave ques-
tiOns. and, as yet have not been satisfacto-
rily answered. Some, who are cOgnizant
OF the peculiar circumstances, and his
habits OF late, believe that it was the work
OF bis own hand others equally cOnversant
with the facts hint very grave suspicious
of foul play. 1t may be that neither supp
sition is the correct. one, and that his sud-
den death is attributable to natural causes.
but from his peculiar habits and tempera-
ment, it seems probable that he died sui
cide's death. "A thorough Investigation
should be- and undoubtedly will be, made,
that the deep mystery in which the affair
is now shrouded may be cleared up.