The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-04-29
THE LAST LETTER.
DUNcAN's DESPAIR AND DEATH.

THE LAST LETTER.
DUNCAN'S DESPAIR AND DEATH.
AN ANrr-MoRrEM LETTER FROM A DEsPER-
ATE HUSBAND To a DESERTED wIFE-THE
LANGUAGE OF LOVE AND DESPAIR.
The Sentinel has already published the
particulars of the life and death of the Ger
man reporter who committed suicide in
Brooklyn last week. The st. Louis Globe
has the subjoined additional: In last Fri
davis GlObs our readers were informed Of
the suicide of a former German
journalist of this city, julius Dun
can. who. at the time of his death,
reported the Bsecher trial for the Brooklyn
Freis Presse, and ended his life by taking
an ounce of tincture OF opium. Ii was also
stated that he left wife IN this city, from
whom he had been divorced about two years
ago. Yesterday Globe reporter ierretted
out the place of residence of the whllom
Mrs. Duncan, who is now living with the
family of highly respected German cl!lzsn
in the northern part of the city. Sne is OF
very intelligent, attractive appearance and
lady-like demeanor. On pelng Quesloheu'
sba stated that she had formed DuncanS S ac-
ouaintapce in this city in 1865, and that she
was but l6 wears old when she married him.
Her maiden name was Homan. Inc
lady of the house, in whose family
she is now living, and who Is
former schoolnate of Mrs. Duncsns
dav before Yesterday received the letter
which had been stated as having been found
on Duucan's person, aud which he had re-
ouested the coroner of New York to forward
| 10 the partv to whom it was addressed. The
letter is in German, and We reproduce II
here verbatim:
NFw YORK, Sunday, the 18th Of April, 1873.
Ny FRIEND:-You will bs somewhat as
tonished that / should now write TO you,
after having severed all my former cOhnec-
tions in that city months ago. lt Is too last
greeting which i send you to-day; pray
communicate it to the address known to
you. although not mentioned here. Inc
resolution formed within me long ago viii
at last be carried out,
1MUsr HAVE PEACE AT LAST,
if ana not to go down, morally, altogether,
and that will never happen to me, for will
avoid that disgrace; my name shall not be
dishonored, and therefore wipe it out vol
UNFAIRLY. You, and another, will under
stand me. What more shall write your A
long complaint of my misery? No, my
friend. that can not be told in words; and
why a long story of woes that could avail
nothinoP God knows, / die reconciled. May
none of the hearts that still remember me
ever feel the pangs of tortue to which mine
was subjected. Now 1t is quiet, Tor u has
reached the goal. 1 shall quietly and easily
| glide across the mysterious chasnl; not a hu-
man soul will be present, when my body
enters into the last struggle; alone, ss
stood in life 1 will meet death. Let ms con-
! TESS it openlv the sight of human faces fills
me- with disgust, for | have unmasked too
many of them. For nv fate / make
~. IS
fortunes | must probably blame myself.
I presage future life, and reunion. lftne
| departed are permitted TO be nea= in spirit
FORM to their beloved VINO remained behind
upon earth, then a poor woman who has
suffered much for my sake, will feel my con-
soling aud helping presence. Tell her this,
and be z support to the sufferer, that this
intelligence NAV net break her heart. Let
her bear in mind that death can be to me
but salvation from endless torment She.
too, will find eternal peace some day; until
then may many happy hours fall to her lot;
she deserves 10 be happy. ! am acting in
full consciousness, and not under the pres
sure OF temporary melancholy. Since
Christmas, 1872, have not lived an hour OF
unalloyed happiness. Should you ever meet
Anna (the woman with whom ne elopedl
again, then tell her that shall bring no ac-
cusation against her before the Throne ol
the Eternal; may He be merciful judge "a
her and to me! Include me in your pray
ers, and tell the "mother. of my child
that
IExPEcT HER BEYOND THE cHAsM;
give her, in nay name, the parting kiss for
this life. Give my hearty greeting to any
one who remembers me: hate no more,
not onei L shall never pass out of your re-
membrauce altogether, / know. Judge
mildly of me, dear friend, for have suffered
most terribly for my error. Let me conclude
now. for have to attend to some things yet,
and must finish my legacy TO the world, a
fairy tall THE Nightingale" q copy of
which will be seat to you as soon as it leaves
the press. You know, that is, you will guess,
| to whom have dedicated it. There that is
enough Farewell, all my dear friends !
May we meet again! / must hurry that /
may be able to take my opiate soon. Good
night Let us hops for joyful "Good morn
/ ing" JULIUS DUNCAN.
Paula's This former wlfe's name) other
picture. as well as her and our child's locks
of hair. shall take to the grave
with me. Oh! give the poor woman
peace, my friend She has not caused my
death; no, not she! She is poor, broken
hearted woman--my strayed singing bird,
whose joyful songs gladdened me so often.
Return the enclosed picture to her; lee her
keep it well like talisman. May God pro-
tect you, Psulal God protect you!
julius.
There is small postscript in one corner of
the page, in these words: 'P. 5. To-day,
10th of April, O'Clock p. NJ, only, can get
to carry my deed into execution" The pic
ture enclosed, and spoken of in the last pert
OF the letter, represents Duncan and his
former wife. and was taken when they were
married, ten years ago. On the back of the
picture the following words are writteB:
''Forgive mel have suffered terribly for
my error! We will meet again above.
JULIUS"