The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-30
Romantic Suicide


A YOUNG MAN HEARS HIS LOVE CALLING HIM
FROM TIE SPIRIT-LAND-A LITTLE FADED
FLOWER AND IT'S SAD HISTORY.
Last Saturday tne-looking man, who
gave his name as Henry MontroSe. OF the
United States navy. committed suicide at
Orange Mountain House, n. j. On Satur-
day afternoon the stranger kept his room,
and at 5 O'Clock he was found sitting by his
table in dying condition. y physician was
summoned, but the suicide died soon after
his arrival. On the table by his side was
glass, Il hypodermic syringe, an open letter.
and an old account-book with some Of the
leaves torn out. County Physician Ward
was notified He searched the papers and
effects OF the deceased man with view to
ascertaining his identity, but without sue
cess, all evidence OF his identity being de-
stroyed. 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.. Thaycr, Portland, Ne. The penman-
ship and the composition were scholarly.
The burden OF the missve was passion
ate appeal to the spirit OF his "belovcd
Pauline" who, it appears, died some time
ago. From the letter it would appear that
the spirit OF Pauline was constant pre-
sencc to the miserable lover, reproducing
him for living, and Turing him to the spirit
land. This hallucination is IN explanation
of the suicide 1t was only q short step
from spiritualism to insanity. The letter
concluded as follows: 81 leave this letter
unscalcd that they may add to it that have
taken my passage. Pauline is again calling
me and asking why stay so long. / must
90. Darling, my love, my lifc-I comc-l
comc-I do not fear or falter. Reach me
your hand, dear one, and SO, doctor, good
bye"
The following, in pencil, was added, pro-
badly after the writer had taken the fatal
potion:
s.The last act in the great drama OF life Is
almost finished. have this moment swal-
lowed the deadly draught that will give my
spirit Joy. l will soon have passed to that
bourne from whence no traveller ever re-
turned bodily. Uncle Fred wrote you and
gave you his address; please inform him.
| | am calm, and am counting my pulse. 1t
is now 1870, wiry. My head feels full, and
nv lower limbs tremble. 1t Will soon be
over, and I shall have fathomcd the great
mystery. / will come to you, doctor, or adj
wise 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, I 60 without fear"
In the letter was mentioned q rose given
to the suicide by Pauline, and which he de-
sired to be buried with him. The little
faded flower, with single geranium leaf,
was found enclosed between two pieces OF
adhesive plaster, on which was written
"Semper Fidele" and "Pauline, to thee l
come!'' In the torn account-book the fol-
lowing was written in pencil: "For family
reasons I have omitted signing nv name,
and also have destroyed everything that
would have revealed it. l don't care 1or
nv body, for my spirit-my very selt-wlll
he nj rest in the arms of my beloved. Please
bury the rose with me; it is the credentlal
of my fidelity. Perhaps in years to come
some one, beloved sister, may inquire Tor
me. Preserve n lock of hair, handkerchief,
or ANYTHING else about my person, to give TO
her, and say joyfully sailed. Father, go
without fear, trusting in thy infinite mercy.
Thou canst comprehend thy earthly children
when men cannot"
On another leaf was written: "That there
may be no doubt about it, and to save trou-
BILE to those acting in an official capacity,
saw that have taken two deadly polsons.
Kind people, think rs leniently OF me as
possible. I have nothing to live Tor upon
this shore; all that is dear to mels beyond;
20 without fear. Am sane and OF souna
mind.'. The county physician sent tele'
graphic dispatch to the doctor to whom the
letter was addressed, and at night tele,
gram was received from DR.. Thayer, OF
Portland, Me-, giving the name OF the SUI,
eide as Claude l.. Avenstne, OF the United
States navy, and that he left a wife in Port
land. DIR. Thayer's dispatch also contains
request that the body may be kept for
few days, when friends will arrive to take
charge Of it. ~