The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-11-19
SUICIDE.

Cause. spirituslIsm and Financial Tronble
Ten Grains of Morphine Does the Work.
We copy the following from the
Humboldt Register, published at Win
nemucca, Nevada, of the 9th inst:
An old gentleman, by the name OF
Russell, apparently about So years OF
age, who came to Winnemucca about
four days ago, from Baker City, Ore
gOn, committed suicide Wednesday at
the WiAnemucca Hotel, by taking ten
| grains of morphine. The drug must
have been taken early this morning,
and was as deliberate a suicide as was
ever committed. Russell bought the
morphine at the drug store yesterday,
but deferred taking it until this morn
ing. He was discovered about ten
O'Clock in y dying condition. Drs.
Hutchins and Hanson were called but
too late to do any good. 1t Is impos-
sible to ascertain the real cause of the
rash act. Some pretend to say that
he was looney on the subject of spir-
ituaIism, and others say that it was
due to financial embarrassment. We
learn from L. j. Porter, who knew
Russell in Oregon, that he was an en-
thusiastic spiritualist, and had recent
Iy met with some reverses in financial
matters. On his way here it appears
Russell lost a pocket-book containing
all the ready money he had, 1925, near
Battle Creek, and arrived here with
out money and without friends. Cor
oner Melarkev took charge of the
body, and will hold an inquest when
there NAV be some new Developments
The following pencil note found upon
the table in the room, shows conclu-
siYely that the act was premeditated {:
OCTOBER A, 1874.
The reason of this act is, | am too
verdant for this sphere of life. see
men differently from what L did ten
years ago. have been ten years in
the mountains, SO have lost that
much of lite. Ref. Douglas, the black
smith, and Jack Vincent, are particu-
larly acquainted with me here. have
left my faInily's address. abher this
life. When 1 come to think of a more
happy aud congenial home, my cour-
age gives away. / have fought life
eVcn-handed, but it has reduced me
to rags. Try, my friends, to do unto
others as you would that they should
do unto you. and you will be far more
happy, and there will be far less suf-
ferinx in the human family.
RUSSELL.
On the same sheet of paper, the fol-
lowing was found:
There is no use of men who live in
this interior country trying to come
in contact with men who live on brain
material, than there is with water
coming in contact with oil; as one
lives on bread and meat, the other on
life material, one is n sot, the other a
lord, and read time as fast as he runs.
Coroner Melarkey held an inquest
upon the body. The Jury found that
his name was Newell Russell that he
came to his death by an overdose of
morphine, administered by his own
hands. His effects consist of the
clothes he had on !; a Valise containing
the photographs of his five children,
and their letters; one or two memo
randum books, and lot of old papers.
In one of the memorandum books he
has kept brief memorandum of his
| life. From entries therein made it is
evident that he has been in the habit
of taking morphine for years. 1t is
also evident from his eccentric writing
| that he was, and has been for years. a
| firm believer in the doctrine of spir-
| itualism. In \ memorandum found
among his effects is the following no.
tice written November 4, 1874:
"Hon. James H. Slater, of LaGrandc
Union county, Oregon, has business
of mine in his hands that is of im-
portance to my family. Address my
brother, Luther Russell. or my son,
Frank p. Russell, Streetsboro, Portage
county, Ohio"
Another note read thus:
my Lille for ten years a miner and
servant is sufficient. Outlook for
earth life terrible. l do not feel like
fighting the battle over-for the future
hope"
His body was buried this morning
under the direction of the Coroner.
His effects will be boxed and sent to
his children. The Coroner will write
to ex-CongressmaR Slater, the gentle
man mentioned in the above note, and
ascertain whether there is any money
or other property in his hands belong
ng TO Russell, and if SO, try and have
! sent to his children.