Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-12
PUBLIC LEDGER.
II.alRST amy CIRrnLATION.
Suicide Of Patalist and a Philosopher
A Diary Of Dying Thoughts,

Cow DAVIS AGO, near Fond du Lac,
W;oeopsin. the badly decomposed body
~ man was found in an obscure place
among some forest brush The deceased
was a man Of medium size, and was
dressed in dark sack coat, light brown
nants. black felt hat, and Congress
CATERS His hair was Of reddish cast
A pair Of pocket combs, ring contain
ing large brass key and four smaller
ones, and pocket diary for 1867, were
the only articles found on his person. The
latter contained all that is known of the
man. The following unsigned statements
were found in the diary, and we're written
in a good steady hand, and, with one or
two exceptions, every word was cor
rectly spelled: -
SATURDAY, September l4-In all
we'll regulated communities not among
the least officers to watch over the well
fare of its citizens is that of coroner. 1t
is check to crime, and conducive to
the morality and welfare of society.
Believing that the good town OF
Fond du Lac has among the representa-
tive officers coroner, these lines are
most respectfully addressed, believing
that it will aid him and his jury in arriv.
ing at their verdict, should they be called
in my case, as they undoubtedly will
BE il known TO whom it may con-
Germ, that /, A. G. Alden, have this, the
fourteenth day of September, in the
year eighteen hundred and sxty'seven,
being in sane state Of mind, laboring
under no excitement, enjoying good
bodily health, have taken into my
stomach ten grains Of morphine, for the
sole purpose of putting me in eternal
sleep; yea, the sleep of death.
my reasons are of no Importance to
the people here. / will only say that l
am fatalist, and have had PRESENT..
ment for the past two years that ! would
come to this, and there is no use in try :
ing to stave it off; it is sure to come,
and there is no filter time than to day.
If there have been clouds in my life, the
sun shines on me now, and am not un.
happy.
II am expecting small amount Of
money by mail; enough to pay small
board bill OF two weeks and my burial
expenses. ] have nothing more to say.
b, A. G. ALDEN"
Ou tue OppOeltc oAuV Va bhO ohSSe 40 'AS
following:
II have just taken it with peaches, and
calmly await results. My pencil is SO
blunt / can hardly write / should Judge
it was about / o'clock. Where will be
tomorrow at o'clock2 Echo answers,
where2
mime o'clock PM have made a
mistake. l should have taken thirty
grains. l must leave it till to morrow"
SUNDAY, l5th.-Twenty grains to- day
will finish the job. / have felt rather
sick this morning, from the effects Of the
small dose, but that will soon be over"
On another page, not written in as
good hand as the preceding:
My pulse is growing weaker; / think
it will have its intended effect, although
l one day took three ounces g OF of
laudapum, but my strong constitution
ard strong vitality threw it off; it did
not even make me sleepy but if ten
grains of morphine do not do it, / shall
think that | am the second edition of
the Wandering Jew, but | begin to feel
the effects of it through my system.
have always thought that | could
meet death calmly, and find it even SO;
l feel perfectly happy, and resigned to
my fate.