Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-15
Romantic Suicide.

Last SATURDAY Hne looking man, VINO
gave his name as Henry Montrose, of the
United States navy, committed suicide at
Orange Mountain House, New Jersey.
On Saturday afternoon the stranger kept
his room, aud at - O'Clock he was found
sitting by his table in a dying condition.
A physician was summoned, but the sui
eide died soon after his arrival. On the
table by his side was glass, a hypodermic
book, with some of the leaves torn out.
County Physician Ward was notified. He
searched the papers and effects of the de-
ceased man with a view to ascertaining
his identity. but without success, all evil
dence Of his identity being destroyed. 1t
seems that the name he gave was an alias,
and that his representations were made
with view to hide his identity. The open
letter found on the table covered six pages
closely written, and was addressed to DR..
Thayer, Portland, Me. The penmansilip
and the composition were scholarly.
The burden Of the missive was passion
ate appeal to the spirit of his "beloyed
Pauline" who, it appears, died some time
ago. From the letter it would appear that
the spirit of Pauline was constant pre-
sence to the miserable lover, reproaching
him for living, and Turing him to the spirit
land. This hallucination is an explanation
of the suicide. 1t was only short step
from spiritualism to insanity. The letter
concluded as follows: II leave this letter
unsealed that they may add to it that I
have taken my passage. Pauline is again
calling me and asking why [ stay so long.
must go. Darling, my love, my life-I
oon,a-T nnt fQar fol
Reach me your hand, dear one, and so,
Doctor, goodbye"
The following in PENCIL was added, pro-
badly after the writer had taken the fatal
potion: 1.-THE last act in the great drama
of life is almost finished. / have this mo-
ment swallowed the deadly draught that
will give my spirit joy. [ will soon have
passed to that bourne from whence no trav-
eler ever returned bodily. Uncle Fred
wrote you and gave his address; please in
form him. am calm, and am counting
my pulse. 1t is now 100, 'wiry. My head
feels full, and my lower limbs tremble. 1t
will soon be over, and shall have fathomed
the great mystery. | will come to you,
doctor, or advise you, as / learn now
The light begins to fade. Oh, thou Divine
Father! | have taken the life thou gavest
me, but, trusting to thy mercy, 60 with
out fear.'
In the letter was mentioned rose given
to the suicide by Pauline, and which he
desired to be buried with him. The little
faded flower, with a single geranium leaf,
was found enclosed between two pieces of
adhesive plaster, on which was written
ssSemper Fidelis" and Pauline, to thee l
come!' In the torn account-book the fol-
lowing was written in pencil: For fami-
lv reas MS, have omitted signing my
name, and also have destroyed everything
that would have revealed it. 1 don't care
for my body, for my spirit, my very self,
will be at rest in the arms of my beloved.
Please bury the rose with me: it is the
credential of my fidelity. Perhaps in years
t. come some one, a beloved sister, may
inquire for me. .Freserye lock of hair, a
handkerchief, or anything else about my
person, to give to her, and say ! ioYfully
sailed. Father, go without fear, trusts
ing in thy infinite mercy. Thou canst
comprehend thy earthly children when
men cannOt.'
On another leaf was written: "That
trouble to those acting in an official Ca
pacity, / say that | have taken two deadly
poisons. Kind people, think as leniently
of me as possible; have nothing to live
for upon this shore; all that is dear to me
is beyond. 1 90 without fear. Am sane
and Of sound mind" The county physi-
clan sent a telegraphic dispatch to the doc
tor to whom the letter was addressed, and
at night q telegram was received from DR..
Thayer, of Portland, Me-, giving the name
Of the suicide as Claude L. Ayenstine, of
the United States navy. and that he left q
wifesin Portland. DR.. Thayer's dispatch
also contains request that the body may
he kept for few days, when friends will
arrive to take charge Of it.