The Portland daily press., 1876-08-30
A Strange THE

The more that is learned in regard to the
case OF Claude l.. Aventine, who is said to have
committed suicide, the stranger the whole case
appears and if all was printed that is known.
it would be tale worth reading. This man
never was surgeon on the Monongahela, but
simply hospital steward. After Aventine's de-
parture to New York, his wife received but one
letter from him. That letter Informed her of
his illness. On Wednesday, August 10Th, DR..
81. R. Thayer of this city, received letter from
New York, dated August 18th, written by Fred
erick Montrose, stating that few days previ-
Gus be had found his old friend Aventine in
New York, his mind wandering and incapable
OF taking care of himself. In his valise he
had found one of Dr. Thayer's cards, on which
was written Pauline Aventine several times
Aventine kept continually repeating that he
was married, but that he had lost his wife in
the Park. His insanity growing more serious
and at times being quite Violent a physician
was called in, who gave it as his opinion that
the man was suffering from extreme mental
trouble, and that he had no doubt the woman
whose name was written on the card was in
measure at least, the cause of it. This letter
wac WAittCu W LII AudJtI iOr tut purpose OI
ascertaining if Aventine was married or had
friends in Portland. The letter Goa cluded by
stating that the writer was to leave that day for
the South with Aventine.
He registered at the Continental Hotel on
Broad street, New York, on Monday, 22d in.
slant, and started for Orange on the following
day. The name on the register is &c. L. Aven-
tine
The following is the concluding portion of
the letter he wrote to DR.. Thayer Immediately
preceding his death:
| leave this letter unsealed that you may add
to it simply that have gone to sleep to awak
en- on another shore. All ask is that you do
not have it published in any newspaper or jour-
nal For family reasons 1 have omitted sign
ing my name, and also destroyed everything
that would have revealed it. don't care what
becomes of my body, as it is but the she'll. My
spirit, my very self, will be at rest in the arms
of my beloved. Please bury the rose with me-
1t is the credential of my fidelity. Perhaps in
years to come some One-a beloved sister-may
inquire for me. Preserve lock OF hair, hand
kerchief, or anything else about my person to
60 without tear, trusting in thy infinite love
and mercy. Thou canst comprehend thy earth
ly children when men cannot.
| leave this letter unsealed that they may
duu 10 III tuat nave tdkou Ivy passage. Iau-
line is again calling me and asking me why
stay SO long. mast 90. Darling, my love,
my wife. come, l come: do not fear or fall
ter. Reach me your hand, dear one, and so,
Doctor, good bye.
The following, in pencil, was added, prob
ably after the writer had taken the fatal po-
ton.
The last act in the great drama of life is al
most finished. L have this moment swallowed
the deadly draught that will give my spirit joy.
l will soon have passed to that bourne from
whence no traveller ever returned bodily. Uncle
inform him. am calm, and am counting my
pulse 1t is now 130, why. My head feels full
and my lower limbs tremble. 1t will soon be
over, and L shall have fathomed the mystery.
l will come to you, Doctor or advise you as
learn how. The light begins to fade. Oh,
Thou Divine Father! 1 have taken the life
Thou gavest me, but trusting to Thy mercy 1
go without fear.
DR.. Thayer knows the address of Uncle
Fred. Please tell him to ask Uncle to defray
any expense l have incurred. That there may
be no doubt about 1t, and to save trouble to
those acting in an official capacity, say tina,
have taken two deadly poisoDs. Kind people,
think as lenently of me as possible. 1 have
nothing to live for Oh this shore. All that is
dear to me is beyond. go without fear; am
sane and of sound mind.
In the letter was mentioned rose given to
the suicide by Pauline, which he desired to be
buried with him. The faded flower, with a
single geranium leaf, was found enclosed be-
tween two pieces of adhesive plaster, on which
was written "Sen1per Ftdels," and pauline,
to thee 1 comeT