The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-06-27
POE'S DEATH.

From the Chicago Journal.
More than twenty years have elapsed
since the death of Edgar A. Poe, vet any-
thing throwing more light on that melan-
choly event is eagerly pursued by a peo-
pie who worship genius,and who in Edgar
A. Poe and his brilliant career ana pre-.
mature death still retain deep and alb
solbing interest. In regard to the death
and burial Of the author of the Craven"
innumerable stories have been told, both
by his friends and enemies, until now we
find in Appleton's journal the version
which claims to be the only true one yet
given. This is that he came to his death
III the city OF Baltimore on the 9TH day of
October, 1849, from brain fever, caused
by his having been robbed and brutally
beaten by ruffians, in that city. This is
not, as its author claims, new version of
the story, but only an old one clothed in
9 different garb, and with the exception
[of the place is untrue.
Instead of the 9TH Of October, it was on
the 18th Gay of November that Poe died
Instead Of brain fever, his disease was
mania a potat, or, in palmer words, deli
rum tremens.
The true story is this: On the 1st day
of November, 1849, DR.. J. E. Snodgrasq,
OF Baltimore, received a letter from a
printer named Walker, stating that man
claiming Poe's name, and to be acquaint
ed with him, was then at low groggery
IN Lombard street, Baltimore, in an evil
dent state Of restitution, and SO far gone
by intoxication as to be entirely helpless
DR.. Snodgrass repaired to the tavern,
which was owned by Cooth & Sergeant,
and found the story communicated to him
by Walker to be only too true.
He called carriage and had Poe taken
to the Washington College Hospital, where
be fingered about week, most Of that
time IN an unconscious state. and died on
the 9TH day of November, 1849. Poe had
Ill this time but few lucid intervals, in
one Of which The physician Informed him
that he had but short time to live, and
that if he had any friends whom he would
wish to have summoned, his wish should
be gratifed.
F" Friends, friends |" repeated the erring
son of genius. My best friend would be
he who would take pistol and blow out
these ID wretched brains pressing his
hand to his throbbing forehead as he ut
tered the awful imprecation.
He was buried in the Westminster
Presbyterian burial place. Green street,
Baltimore, single carriage following the
hearse. The only persons present were
DR.. Snodgrass, the minister and two
others besides the drivers Of the hearse
and carriage. DR.. Snodgrass says the by.
pothesis of beating is wholly unbound
ed, as no marks or evidences Of it were
on his person. Poe had evidently been
on long continued debauch, which re-
suited IN his death, This is also corrob-
grated by the American cyclopedia, and
Rufus w. GrisWold's life of Poe. As
truth, however unWelcome il may be to
some, is always preferable to preVarica-
ton, make this statement in answer to
the late article in AppJ8t0n's Journal
which has been SO extensively copied by
the press OF the country. A sincere ad
mirer of the genius that could produce
the craven" William Wilson" and the
Gold Bug" | would not do the author
the slightest injustice. But much as we
may lament the tragic end of Edgar Allen
Poe, is it not better to accept the testi
mony OF those who knew him best, and
who were with him at the last, rather
than to, at this late day, attempt TO gloss
over his imperfectious? l believe DR..
Snodgrass is still living in Baltimore,an
would corroborate all that have said on
this subject
Let all take warning from this sad
event in the history Of genius.
CHARLES E. FULLER.
BELvIDERE, ILL, June, 1879.