Middletown transcript., 1876-09-09
RomAnr1c su1crpr.

Il AeONA AIs I ~ SO404AS1ne
Last Saturday week . fne-looking
man, who gave his name IS Henry
Montrose, Of the United States navy,
committed suicide at Orange Mountain
House.. New Jersey On Saturday
afternoon the stranger kept Bis room, ).
and at three o'clock be was found sit
ting BY his table in dying condition.
A physician was summoned. but the
suicide died soon after bis arrival. On
the table by his side, Was q glass. q
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 viek to ascertaining his identity,
but without success, all evidence of bis
identity being destroyed Il seems
that the name he gave was an alias,
and that his representations we're made
with view to hide his identity. The
open letter found on the table covered
over six pages closely written, and Was
addressed to DR. Thayer, Portland Me-
The penmanship and composition were
scholarly. e
The burden Of the missise was pas
sionate appeal to the spirit of his be
loved Pauline" who. it appears. died
some time ago. From the letter it
would appear that the spirit Of Pauline
was q constant presence to the misera-
bic lover, reproachiug him for living.
and Turing him to the spirit land. This
hallucination is an explanation Of the
suicide. Il vas only short step
from spiritualism to insanity. The let.
ter concluded as follows: II leave this
letter unsealed that they may add to
it that have taken my passage. Pau
line is again calling me and asking Why
stay so long. I must 60. Darling
my love, my life-I come.-I come-l
do not fear or falter. Reach me your
hand. dear; one. and, SO. Doctor, good
bye"
The following in pencil was added,
probably after the writer had taken the
fatal potion -. The last act in the great
drama of life is almost finished. ! have
this moment swallowed the deadly
draught that will give my spirit joy.
I will soon have passed to that bourne
from whence no traveller ever returned
bodily Uncle Fred wrote you and
gave his address; please inform him.
l am calm, and am counting my pulse.
1t is now 1870. wiry. Ny head feels
full, and my lower limbs tremble. It
will soon be over. and / shall have
fathomed the great mystery. I will
come to you, doctor, or advise you. as
/ learn now. The light begins to fade.
Oh, thou Divine Father I have taken
the life thou gavest me. but, trusting to
thy mercy, go without fear
In the letter was mentioned q rose
given to the suicide by Pauline. and
which he desired to be buried with
him. The little faded flower, with q
single geranium leaf, was found inslosed
between two pieces Of adhesive plaster,
on which was written "Semper Fidele"
and "Pauline, to thee / come p In
the torn account-book the following was
written in pencil: "For family reasons,
/ have omitted signing my name, and
also have destroyed everything that
would have revealed it. 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 to come some one,
beloved sister, may inquire for me.-
Preserve lock Of hair, . handkerchief,
or anything else about my person. to
give her. and say / joyfully sailed.
Father. / 60 without fear, trusting in
thy Infinite mercy. Thou canst COM
prehend thy earthly children when men
cannot"
. On another was written ssThat
there may be no doubt about it, and to
save trouble to those acting in an off,
cial capacity, say that l have taken
two deadly poiscns. Kind people,
think as leniently Of me a. possible; l
have nothing to live for upon this shore;
all that is dear to me is beyond. l 60
without fear. Am sane and Of sound
mind" The county physician sent
TO the doctor 10 whom the let
ter was addressed, and at night tele-
gram was received from DR.. Thsyer, Of
Portland. Me-. giving the name Of the
suicide as Claude L. Avenstine, of the
United States navy, and that he left
wife in Portland. DR.. Thsyer's dis
patch also contains . request that tho
body may be kept for . few days, when
trends will arrive to take charge
Of it.