The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-07-20
Death of G. G. WOOdman

The New York papers OF Thursday give the
particulars of the suicide in that city of Mr..
q. G. Woodman,- known in this CITY and
State,-who shot himself in his room at the
Hoffman House, on Tuesday evening. All ac-
counts agree that the deceas ed was first seen
at the hotel at about noon on Tuesday. He ap-
peared somewhat nervous and excited, and
anxiously inquired of the clerk whether Mr..
Cleveland. the postmaster at Hartford, was in
the house, and on being answered in the mega
tive, expressed great disappointment About
an hour after his arrival, Mr. Woodman asked
to be shown to his room, saying that he had
had no sleep for several nights, and should now
have long rest. At about nine o'clock in the
evening the housekeeper heard what she sup
posed to be the explosion of an India cracker,
but after listening moment and hearing
nothing further, paid no more attention to the
matter Al about eight o'clock Wednesday
morning, Mr.. Woodman was found in his
room apparently asleep, and as at P. M. he
had not stirred, an investigation revealed that
he had committed suicide His breast had
been barred, and he had evidently held his re-
volver close over the heart. Several letters
We're on the table in his room, among them
the tollowing:
Dear Brother,-I only wish to say that de-
sire you to take such charge OF my body as
may seem best, and to bear to Hetty and the
~ hAaren, mother, who has always been SO
very good, and to my other brothers and SIS
tiers, my earnest wishes for their happiness.
al am no oadly made up, and am an entire failure,
out me than with me- L will go, and sim
carely hope you will all profit by nv going
My sentiments towsrds you all are full of love
and gratitude for many favors undeserved 1 |
love you ALL !! leave you the charge of advis- |
ing and assisting my children. Tell Hetty
that my last letter to Lottie was nv farewell |
die loving and respecting her. know that
she is noble, pure and good, and that she made
the mistake in joining her life with the life of
so poor wretch as I. From my hearts core
say God bless you all. You have dealt lust
ly with me. ~
Be friendly to Hetty and the children. and if
see the blessed who have gone before, will
plead with them for you and yours. To each
and every one leave my love-it is all have
excepting PAIN physical and mental, which
mean to cure as soon as possible. Goodbye.
G. G. WooDMAN.
The Hetty referred to above is Mr.. Wood
mans widow, who lives with his mother and
his three children in Boston. The brother ad-
dressed is member of the firm of Slote &
Woodman of New York, and to him the re-
mains of the deceased were delivered after the
inquest Other letters found in the room treat
ed of family matters, but all of tt EN- BETRAYED
morbid condition of mind bordering on in
sanity ''
Mr.. Woodman will be remembered as man
OF large stature, with malformation of tn e
right foot to which he apparently alludes in
the letter to his brother. His age was about
forty. man of remarkable ability, he lacked
the energy of will to control and direct his fac
ultles. Though lawyer by profession, he had
never applied himself to the practice of the
law. He first came to this city six or seven
years ago. when he succeeded Mr.. Blaine as
editor of the Advertiser. He had previously
spoken on political subjects in various parts Of
the State, and was regarded as a man of great
promise. His connection with the Advertiser |
ceased after the paper passed into the hands of |
Mr.. Smith, on account of difference of politi- |
cal views which could not be reconciled.
Mr.. Woodlands history after leaving Port |
land is little obscure. He has written some |
tales of more than ordinary merit, and has |
contributed articles upon political questions
and subjects pertaining to social science to
the columns of various newspapers. During |
the last presidential canvass he spoke in this |
and other States with his usual force and fer |
vor. 1t is said that he wrote the remarkable |
account of the Pennsylvania oil regions which |
appeared in the Tribune few years ago. Last
year he wrote series of graphic letters for the
Press from various points at the West. and
from Washington, over the signature &c. C."
The last of these communications was publish
ed on the 21st Of June. We heard from Mr..
Woodman again in July, but for some months |
have lost sight of him.
Mr.. Woodman's sympathies and impulses |
have ALWAYS been good. His affectionate and |
sensitive nature is sufficiently portrayed in |
the despairing letter which we print to-day
Disappointed in life, disappointed in himself, |
which is harder to bear, he has gone prema-
turelv to render his final account 1t is not for |
us to sit in judgment over his frailties. No |
mortal can now know through what paths OF |
temptation and suffering his struggling soul |
was driven to madness. No mortal can pre-
sumo to say where runs the line which marks |
the boundary of sane and perfect responsible |
lily.