Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-29
A REMARKABLE CHARAC-
TER.
Probable Suicide of a Lottery Mono
maniac.

Probable Suicide of a Lottery Mono
maniac.
LouisyILLE, KY, May PA remark
able character has suddenly disappeared
from his Old haunts in tits city, and much
speculation exists as 20 his fate, bat the
supposition is he has committed suicide.
Mai. James Levers, an Irish gentleman
upward of 20 years of age, who has re-
sided here about 30 years in affiuence,
left his home on Monday, and has not
since been heard of. He was of old
| Irish stock, aristocratic and wealthy, and
when he came to this city had in his pos
session the proceeds of his patriuony,
| which was considerable Being man of
| elegant leisure and means, he soon found
| friends, and doubtless enjoyed life.
Shortly after his arrival, wealthy kins-
man, who had preceded him from Ireland,
| died, leaving his vast property and his
widow to the Majors care. The Major,
the better to manage the property, which
consisted of numerous parcels of valuable
ground in this city, and fine farm in the
Green River country--married the
widow, who had, and still has,
handsome annuity. This lady is by
birth allied to the first families in the
State. In a few years after, through be-
coming security for friend in luckless
speculation, the gallant Major lost his en-
tire fortune, and then became what he
has ever since remained, a pensioner on
his wife's bounty. The Major then tried
TO recover his losses by investing in lot
terry tickets, in the vain hope that the |
riches that had vanished SO suddenly |
might be as suddenly restored. As |
executor of his wife's first husband, |
large sums of money passed through |
his hands, and at first small sums |
were distracted, then larger sums, and |
finally all he could lay his hands upon.
Tho mania increased with his years, until
it took complete possession of himss
S range as it may seeem, this fact was
neyeiiznown until few years ago. Ehe
large sums of money he had squandered
requiring the sale frequently of pieces of
property, not even exciting suspicion, his
wifefondly imagining that be was invest
ing ID other property, for joint account
and his friends and relatives being posi-
tive some bank vault contained the hid
den store.
Wien the discovery came, the sup
plies iTere stopped, and the lottery bust
ness stlffered 4 shock. 1t was hoped that
the oH man would learn wisdom with his
lengtlening years, but in vain, for there
is nofool like an old fool. The habit of
gambling in lottery tickets was his life
No sooner was the wife's purse-strirgs
loosened and the rents passing again
through his hands, than the lottery bust
ness again hourished. But this was not
enough. Friends were placed under con-
and large sums were borrowed,
and even the market money confiscated
in his insane pursuit of illusory riches.
The STORM burst on Monday, when claims
were Presented to the wife Proportions
of this borrowed money, which she
refused to pay, She took the manage
ment of her affairs into her own hands,
and gave the Major to understand that
meat and clothing was all the
intended to supply him with. This broke
down the Majors spirits. Wounded in
the tenderest Spoint-his pride-broken
hearted, and overwhelmed with debts
Which his wife refused to pay, she
old mans mind gave way.
caused by remorse for |
his fortune squandered and life misspsnt,
or disappointed at the tumbling TO pieces
of his childish dreams of sudden wealth,
may never be known. There SIS little
doubt that the turbid waters of the Ohio |
have closed over his ifeless body, and
the restless and always selfish soul of what
was called Maj. James Levers has passed
away forever.