The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-09-11
a SUICIDE.
The Strange End Of q Strange Life
The Story OF q Political Exile.

Tn 1861, there lived in Bangor q physician
named William H. Jewett, q ~well-educated
and intelligent man. who enjoyed q good
nractlce. An ardent Democrat, he shared the
nersecntions which at thattime were bestowed
npon those of his political 1aith until, In dis
gust, he abandoned his practice, packed up
his effects, and left the place. After some
wanderings. ne settled at North haven, one
of the Fox Islands In Penobscot Bay, where
he occupied q house. alone. He held little in
tsrcourse with the people Of the place gen.
orally, seeming to brood over the injustice
which had exiled him from his home. With
q few, however, generally young men, he
formed acqnalntances, and charmed them
with the extent and variety OF his inlorma-
ton, and his flow of conversation. He prac-
tlced medicine to o considerable extent, and
was known as q skilful though eccentric ply
sician. But to the world. generally he was
cold and r~eticent, living in q house entirely
alone. and preparing himself his simple meals.
Within q few months he fell Ill, and during
that time two young women had gone daily
to his house to do the work aud look after his
comfort. Last week the editor of this paper,
who had known DR.. Jewett only as q sub
scrlber, received from him the following letter:
NORTH HAVEN, August ID, 1872.
"Wiuidm Fl. Simpson, Esq:
DEAR SIR-If you will send to me the au-
thor. or the one who Is father-iu-law to the
article in your Journal OF June 20, 1877: nrst
Gage, first column, Handling and Doclity OF
Farm Stock I will make him, (you endorsing
him as the real, Identical author, or ss tne
mar who ct heart entertains such feellngs.)
T will devise to him an amount that Will en-
able him to carry his humane, holy, and l
hone heavenly, purposes to some notable re-
sults. II he needs such help. think my
earthly career ls nearly ended; think that
within ten or twelve days l shall pass the
river. Let him come soon. ! am Indebted
for the Journal about three.fourtns OF one
year. If he comes, send 10 your olli, IL you
please. And please forward the enclosed let
fer "a directed. Please write me.
s.Yours, &C., WILLIAM b. JEwETT."
The article referred to ls n showing the
advantages OF treating animals kindly rather
than harshly. The letter Enclosed was adj.
dressed to the secretary of the New YORK So.
clety for the Preventiono OF Cruelty to Animals,
and was written as requested. A replyito this
letter was mailed on the 18th, Stating that the
real author of the article was unknown-that
Ic had been copied from an agricultural publ
cation not remembered. Before that letter
reached It's destination the hand that 1t sought
was cold In death. DR.. Jewett had died by
one of the strangest suicides ever recorded In
the history OF self.destruction.
On the morning Of the 9Th, six Gays alter
the date of the above letter, he Sent one OF
Lu0 young HUmCu lOl w. 4uohto DP"'o w"
p%eniine, which was brought to him. At night
he told his attendants that they need not call
as early as usual, or not until about eight
O'Clock. What %transpired in his room during
that long night no mortal knows. But just
before the hour fixed for the return of his at
tendan:s O cry of fire was raised, and smoke
and flames were discovered Issuing from the
house. The persons who rushed to the spot
found the doors fastened on the inside. They
were burst In. Those who first entered beheld
appalling sight,. Stretched. upon his bed,:
with no garment but his shirt, lay the doctor,
with the great artery of his leg severed. The
blood flooded the bed, and fell IN streams to
the floor, mingled with the urpentine which!
had been previously poured over the bed and,
floor. The back portion of the room was 9!
mass Ofrfiames. Strong arms seized the bed
and bore the unconscious man to the open air.,
I hey laid him by the roadside and stood
around his bed, knowing that no human aid
could avail. The red stream OF his life-bloodi
continued to pour out, q few struggling gasps,.
the poor ~recluse laid down forever the
of his .sorrows. The house anu all It's
contents were burned, although his design OF
being consumed with 1t was frustrated.
Belfast (Me.) Journal.