The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-04-08
The Mysterious Life and Melancholy
Fate of an Eccentric POlander.

Inc farlS hentucktdn says: Nj. +. So
bieski, the accomplished Polander, who
up to short time since, taught school a
Houston Station in this county, died il
Sc. Eiizabeth's Hospital, Covington, las
wednesday, under suspicious circum
stances, and post mortem examination
failed to throw any light upon it. 1t wa
found that one of the vessels of the brair
was ruptured, producing hemorrhsge, bu
whether the rupture was caused by a blow
or otherwise, was not stated. On the Sun
day preceding his death he was seen, witt
quite roll of money, drinking freely il
the bar-room of the house where he board
ed, corner Sixth and Washington Streets
That night he was either taken or went tC
his room, and a tailor who was doing some
work for him called to see him on Mon
day morning. but was told he had gone tC
Cincinnati, and, as he had not been seen
it was supposed he was in the house wher
the tailor called. On Wednesday, wher
the door was opened, Sobieski was found
less, and what is very strange and utterly
unexplainable, had roll of SS in green.
backs in his mouth.
Mr.. Sobieski had been teacher in Yale
College, and was induced to come to Bour
NJ. Russell. who graduated from that in.
stitution, and take charge of school al
Bethlehem. The deceased was about fifty
years of age. and had mastered all or near.
ly al modern languages, exhibiting q
wonderful knowledge of science and liter
ature, and it was matter of much specu.
lation with our countrymen, when they
ascertained that he was man of such pro-
found learning, why he should seclude
himself in country school-house. But
this is the solution of that question. He
was engaged upon great work, which he
claimed would revolutioniZe and simplify
the English language, and to this end
wished quiet place until he could COM
plete the volume upon which he had spent
so many years of his life. The work was
nearly complete, and Mr.. Sobieski was on
his way north to arrange for its publica-
ton.
Mr.. Sobieski was very reticent, forming
but few acquaintances, but when he chose
to be communicative, was deeply interest
ing, displaying knowledge that invaria-
bly, struck his listeners with wonder. So
taciturn was he, that nothing of his early
history could be elected beyond the fact
that he was an exile, and had been in afflu.
ent circumstances. There is a mystery
about his life and death which may never
be unraveled. 1t is believed he was OF
roval lineage, and probably descendant
of King John Sobieski ILL.,, one of the pu-
rest patriots poor downtrodden Poland
ever had.
When Noble Butler was preparing his
grammar in Louisville, several years be-
fore our civil war, Sobieski rendered Prof.
b. valuable assistance, and in return for
instruction in English, gave the Professor
instruction in German.
During the rebellion SObieski was an
officer in the Confederate army, and at the
close of the struggle made Tennessee his
home, where it is said he owned some
land. During the great Ku-kluX excite
ment shortly after the war, he was falsely
accused of being connected with them.
Being very sensitive, and growing quite
indignant at the Cargo, he stabbed one of
his accusers, and fled the State, and the
next we learn of him he was one of the
faculty of Henry College, Alabama, and
of Montgomery Literary Society,
and being connected with Antioch Col
lege, Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Among his papers was found a recon-
mendation from President Porter, of Yale
College, certifying that he was man of
superior intellect and education, and one
of the best teachers with whom he was ac-
quainted; also letter from b. U. Wat
kins, Science Hill, near Cincinnati, ten
dering him the professorship of ancient
languages in Farmers College. This let
ter bears date of May s. 1857.
Mr., Sobieski had life insurance of So
900. and an annuity of $500 from Poland.
He WIS truly a most remarkable man, and
his death, before the completion of the
great work he had in hand, is deeply TO be
regretted. In his demise the world of let
ters has sustained heavy loss.