Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-11
HOY. l.. II. CHANDLER.

A despatch dated at Norfolk, Virginia,
9TH inst. reports the disappearance and
presumed suicide of Hon. l.. ii. Chan
dler, United States Pension Agent at that
place. Mr. Chandler was a native OF this
State. well known in this county and other
parts of the State, and was quite active
politically as Wing when that party was
ia existence. He was a lawyer by profess
sion, and was settled in Thomaston, al
one time, in practice. Previous to the
war he settled in Virginia, where he was
known as strong Union man and decid-
ed republican. In 1864 he was among the
republican speakers engaged on the stump
in Maine He was very effective polit-
zeal speaker, an able lawyer, a worthy
citizen, and had hosts of friends wherever
he was known. He was brother to the
wife of Hon. Francis Cobb of Rockland.
1t appears by the despatch that it is not
absolutely certain he is dead, though the
circumstances seem to be such as to admit
of little doubt. The despatch from Nor
folk to the New York Herald of Saturday
is as follows:
1t is undoubtedly true that the Hon. L. II.
Chandler, pension agent here, committed suicide
yesterday morning. On "Wednesday night ne re-
tired at his residence at his usual hour, apparently
in sound health. Yesterday morning at four
o'clock he was seen by the members OF his family
TO pass out of the house in his night clothes. lie
disappeared then and has not been heard OF since
and from letter found it is positively settled that
he put an end to his existence. Mayor Whitehead
and Colonel William Lamb have had parties out
all day securing the adjacent country and drag
ging the river for the body, but without success.
Since the Capitol disaster in Richmond, when MIR.
Chandler was injured, he had been more or less
t1ighty and this, with certain melancholy
caused by reading fercely denunciatory article
| in late Washington paper impeaching his hon
estv, so wrought upon his mind that he sought re-
lief in self-destructon.
| The Hon. James II. Plat arrived from Wash
| ington Tonight with Postmaster j. III. Clements,
and repaired to the residence of the family on
York street and read the letter left to their care
the contents of which are not yet allowed to be
made public.
The deceased came to this city some twenty-five
years ago and commenced the practice of the
law. He entered political life an old line wing
and was active and Jealous, and earned WIDE
reputation in this section of Virginia by his pecul
lar mental gifts and brlancy. On the secession
of Virginia he represented the mon sentiment IN
the Convention and went North after hostities
commenced. and was sent by the government as
Consul to Martinique. After the war MIR. Chan
dler became an ardent republican, was elected to
Congress, but denied admission; afterwards filled
numerous prominent offices and died as United
States Pension Agent for Virginia. He would
have been next republican nominee for Congress
To-day his son teegraphed to Washington Tor
some one to come down and take charge of the
office Every effort is being made by the city Off
cials to find the body. Deceased was about fifty
years Of age.