The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-27
SUICIDE OF LIEUT.. DENNISON, U.S.N.
Domestic Troubles the Causc-His Wife,
the Widow of the Late Commodore
Woodwork, Trying to Obtain "a Di-
vorce-Letters from Each of the Parties.

| Domestic Troubles the Cnuse-His Wife.
| the Widow OF the Late Commodore
| Woodwork, Trying to Obtain "a Di-
vorce--Letters from Each of the Parties.
! From the San Francisco Morning Call, April 1917
Shortly after twelve O'Clock yesterday,
ERASMUS A. Dennlson, who held commission us
| lieutenant in the United States Navy and had
Seen assigned 10 duty on board OF the steamer
Saranac, committed suicide at the lodging house
on the northeast corner OF Dupont and Washington
streets by shooting himself through the head with
a revolver
The suicide was native OF Columbus, Ohio, about
| twenty years OF age, and man OF fne per
sonal appearance. He was son OF General Dem
nlson, eX-Postmaster General and Ex-Governor of
4 ONO He graduated at the Annapolis Naval School
in 1868 About two years ago he married the
| widow of Commodore Seim H. WoOdworth, and
having obtained leave OF absence, he shortly
after his marriage went on a wedding tour through
Europe, and on his return here rejoined his vessel
The marriage, II appears, was not happy one.
on Thursday night the Saranac returned from a
ing ashore, received letter from his wife, OF
which the following is COPY
SAN Francisco, April II, 1873
sinDuring your. absence have long and painfully
considered relations Tor the months II will
perhaps be no surprise to you to learn that have ire
shall at once take steps to procure divorce 4 there
be any necessity Tor communicating with me 1t must
e u'ns n'0oS 'S As' III bESsos
Accompanying Mrs. Dennisons letter was one
rom her attorneys, in which they informed Lieu
tenant Dennison that they had been instructed to
institute proceedings for divorce. Alter recev
ing this letter he began to indulge in drink, and
soon was very much under its influence. While in
a state OF intoXicaton he went to the house OF
Mary +. Pleasant No. 920 Washington street,
where Mrs. Dennison resides with her children,
and engaged in conversation with Mrs.
Pleasant about Mrs. Dennison. He remained at
the house rom nine O'Clock at night until twelve,
and during that time stated that he intended to
XIII himself. After leaving the house he went to
the room OF his f,iend Alexander Caselli, in the
building ON the corner oil dupont and washington
streets, and he remained there during the night.
Yesterday morning Mr.. Caselli visited Mrs. Denni-
son, and conversed with her on the subject of the
divorce, after which he returned to his room and
told Lieutenant Dennson that Mrs. Dennson was
determined TO obtain the divorce Dennison then
handed Mir. Caselli two letters requesting him to
forward them as directed, and then stepped
INTO n be lroom. In u few moments afterwards
there was heard the report of hrearm, and Ca
SELL. opening the door, found Lieutenant Dennison
lying on the noor with revolver In his right hand
the right temple. Medical aid was summo,,ed at
once, nut 1t was soon discovered that the wounded
man was beyond assistance, and he died In a short
time.
THE INQUEST.
Coroner Stillman summoned a jury and held an
inquest in the afternoon, when the following testi
mony adduced. The first witness called was
Alexander Caseln, who, after having been sworn
said Lieutenant Dennison landed yesterday rom
the ship Saranac ana immediately came after me:
when we met he showed me polite note inform
ing him that his wife was about to institute pro-
ceedings Tor q divorce; he was very much ex-
cited; talked to him and SAID he had better
leave the matter alone until this morning,
when would 30 ana see MS VIE; ] had
an interview with that lady without obtaining
any satlslactlon: she insisted upon the step She
had taken; then returned home; he was going
out wncn returned his carriage being at the
door; he returned TO my parlor with me and asked
me, wen, what IS the result OF your interview
with my wife, | told him thai she said her con
clusion was rrevocabe: upon that he drew two
letters from his side pocket, one addressed to his
father, the other to his vie, and asked me to
send them as addressed; he then stepped
into the bedroom and closed the door: |
heard q shot, opened the door and saw him lying
on the floor; gave both letters to his wife he
found me IN bed AT twelve O'Clock last night and
remained with me the remainder OF the night he
uid not appear to be excited.
General Hewston Qnterruptng) Il have under.
stood that he has attempted his life several times
before.
Mr.. Case.li-Last night he was brandishing a
pistol. and laughed at such nonsense; he was
then sitting on the SOFA had Just got out of bed
Mary +. Pleasant, the landlady OF the house on
Washington street, was then sworn, and she
sad:-l saw Lieutenant Dennlson last evening; ne
was at my house for two or three hours; IL was,
think, between the hours OF eight and nine o'clock
he came TO sec Inc on business: he said he wanted
to talk to me about his vie; whenever he had
those spells he would come TO mel mean
when he was under tie influence OF liquor :
he was considerably under the influence
o. liquor ,o last night shut but not 50 much
last evening. and he talked about killing me
and himself; took his pistol away and kept 1t for
three or four hours; he talked like Il drunken man:
he left my house ahoat twelve O'Clock; he sent for
me to go TO Mr.. Caselll's room about nine O'Clock
this morning: he said he wanted TO Kill himself,
letter written for me- one for his wife and Tor
his father; tore up the letter TO me before his
face; he had written me letters before: did not
think he going TO Kill himself; he had made
similar threats before; read the letter he gave
ne thls morning: IL said something about his
father taking care OF his child and for me 10 look
after II never saw hlm until after he had married
Mrs. Selim Woodwork and returned from New
York; they then came to board at my house
FIRST saw him drunk SIX seven months ago. saw
him drunk at the LACK House before he came to my
house; was in MIR. Cases room when Lieutenant
Dennison shot himself while he was intoxicated:
not long since he purchased poison and took some
but spilled the most OF 1t on his clothes: when he
boarded ut my house he was In the habit of coming
home drunk and falling down stairs; lie would keep
us up all night he frequently threatened to XIII
himself.
LIEUTENANT pENNisos's LITTER TO ms wiPE
The following Is copy Of the letter Of deceased
to his wife -
ceyed me. Love me a. you used 10 loye me have
Killed myself in order that little shall suffer
YOU IN acticn and love you now as much az any man
can love another your enemies and mine have done s
Envelop address-Mrs. +. Dennison care Of Mr..
Caseli
The letter is written with pencil, in q loose, ir-
regular hand, and the superscripton on the en-
vclop Is in ink.
John Henry stewart was then called and said =
] am private servant OF MI. Caselli; az about
eight O'Clock Thursday night was standing IN
front Of the house when Lieutenant Dennison
came up ] was astonished 10 see him. as |
dld not know the Saranac had arrived; he
asked me Y Mr.. Casell was in; took
MN 70 the parlor he saw that Mr.. Caselli
was not IN, ana then went out: Mr.. Caseili re-
turned nome about eleven O'Clock; about twelve
O'clock ar. Dennison had not returned and went
20 peu; soon after ! had retired Mr.. Dennison
knocked az tle door OF my room, and / showed HIM
INTO Nr. Caseli,s room; This morning Mr.. Dennison
sent me up TO MRS. Pleasantly house with n note:
he also gave me SO TO pay for carnage Ia On down
To the wharf and send on board the Saranac lor
his clothes; he looked ike q man laborlng under