The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-26

To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD:-
VIII you allow me to correct through your columns
the story which being eircuIated-rom the pen
OF Mrs. Elizabeth Cakes Smith, and Originally appear
ing in the Home Jourual-in regard TO the causs OF
the death OF Edgar A. Poe"
1t Is 10 be regretted that Mrs Smith should have al
lowed herself TO be imposed upon by very extraor
binary and improbable story, and still moro 50 that
she should have given TO the public without having
first proven its truth by reference proper authority
She asserts-on what whose authority 10 not men
tioncd-that "a woman" with whom Mr. Poo bad corre-
sponded exasperated Poos refusal TO her let
tiers, caused him 10 DO s'bcaten In q most rufnanly
manner that "a brain fever supervened" and that
Mr.. Poo thcreupon 'went 70 Baltimore, which he
barely reached when he ded''
As truth in all things always desirable allow 10
state to you the following facts which, With tho cor
roborative testimony OF twenty persons OF the highest
responsibility, now living In this city (RichmondA will
prove the foundtoness character Of the story alluded
70, and which Mrs Smith, unfortunately, too readily
credited
In July, 1si9, Mr. Poe came to Richmond and here hc
renamed up the period OF his leaving Baltimore,
where, on his arrival, ho died. During this time he
sometimes occupied room at tho oldfashonsd Swan
Hotel, but was generally guest OF Mrs. Mackenzie,
lady Of the highest social standing She had known
and been fond Of Poe from child, having adopted bis
little sister Rosalie at the time when he himself
had been adopted by Mr. Allan. Mr. Poe, like his sis
ter always called her ana, and had grown up in
the time OF his visit OF which speak
Mrs. Mackenzio's residence Duncan's Lodge, was
In the suburbs OF the city. Wo her neigh
bors and the two families being very intimate and IN
daily communication We were necessarily acquainted
with all concerning Mr.. Poo. He was himself an al
most daily visitor at my mothers and was accustomed
speak freely Of what Interested or concerned him.
Sell.
At this time report circulated. but not credited,
was that Mr.. Poe engaged 10 Mrs S., widow,
residing on Church Hil avcry plain person, wealthy
tied her, but alter while discontinued this attention
and It was known that they were not friends, and
that Mr. Poe had refused return certain letters OF
hers until she should also give up mis- own,
which she declined do asserting that they had been
destroycd-a statement OF which he expressed .
doubt
Some three weeks before Mr.. Poe left Richmond no
had bref but Illness the result OF days dis
city witness. Two OF his friends both physicians,
placed HIM in light wagon and took him 10 ArR Mac
Kennels, where assduous nursing and attention saved
his life This attack both gentlemen who are still res
denu Of Richmond ASSERT TO have been mania potu,
and declared that another such excess would have
proved fatal to him." Thencciorth while he remained
IN Richmond his friends constantly with MIN, and
certainly nothing could have happened to him without
their knowledge He recovered, and remained
we'll and sober up to his leaving for Baltimore In this
time he was often at my mothers and tho evening Of
the day before that liked his departure he spent
with him, in which, Notwithstanding my being little
more than child he spoke very freely Of his plans for
the future especially In regard to the publication Of his
projected paper the iris OF the success OF which he
seemed sanguine. had never econ him apparently in
better health spirits than when babe him goodby
That night no spent at Duncan's LODGE and thence
the morrow some gentlemen Of the family accompa-
MED him to town, and him on board the steamboat
which he took for Baltimore They all unite in saying
that he le in remarkably good spirits and 10 several
OF them he had expressed his intention OF urning over
a Leaf" In life.
Until tho appearance OF this account Of Mrs. Smiths
In the Home Journal not OF Mr. Poes friends among
whom he had spent last three months Of bis lie had
ever heard hint Of the extraordinary circumstance
thus set forth, although IL such thing had occurred
stated It must have occurred IN midst Very truly
yours, SUSAN ARCHER WEISS.
RICHMOND, April 10, 1870