The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-04-12

Morgan in chaste and graceful style,
as well as by other contributions to
literature Independent OF his useful
labors as journalist. He was an hon
est, correct and conscientious man, and
as such is his name enrolled in mem.
Ory.-Ne1U Orleans Democrat.
THE DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN ]. E..
LEONARD.
Correspondence Wilkes Spirit of the
HAVANA, March Is, 1873.
Dear Spirit-One morning, fort
night ago, I happened in at the Ameri-
can consulate, and was introduced to q
gentleman, apparently of about thirty
six years of age. He was above the
middle height, and remarkably hand
some, dark, and Spanish looking. I
saw him only for few minutes, but
he made decided impression on me.
I little thought that should never see
Congressman j. E. Leonard again. He
died last night, at the Hotel TELEGRAPH,
of q broken heart, the victim OF the
old, old story-unrequited love.
His romance was this: Some years
ago he formed the acquaintance of a
young Cuban lady, of wealthy family,
and courted her, on the promise that
he would yet present her with career
worthy of her hand. His promotion
was rapid. In short time he rose,
from post to post, to be Judge and con-
gresham. Seeing his future so assured,
he came to Havana to lay his honors
at the lady's feet, and to offer her his
heart and hand. While still ON board
the steamship Columbus, in this port,
he received a letter from her, which
had been waiting his arrival for deli
very, and in which she advised him
not to land, as she was not disposed to
listen to his overtures.
OF course it was impossible for Mr..
Leonard to remain on shipboard in the
hot harbor. He landed, but only to
find he was cruelty Tilted, and that he
had been in the pursuit SO long OF a
heart of stone. His excitement drove
him to his bed. He fell into morbid
condition, which he vainly endeavor-
ed to conquer. He struggled bravely,
but such was his bitter grief, such the
blow his love and manly dignity had
received, that he speedily sank into a
state which left him the easy prey of
the first of those many fell diseases of
these ATTITUDES, which are ever hover
ing round, vulture-like, to seize on de-
Ginning human powers. His fate came
in the form of the demon yellow fever.
His condition spread about amongst
the lady's friends, and they were con-
WINGED that his life rested in her hands.
They condemned her conduct, and it
is said demonstrated with her for it.
On the night before he died, the at
length cOnscience-stricken woman sent
messenger to his bedside to state
they could meet this spring in New
Orleans, and matters might be satisfac-
torily arranged. A sad smile passed
over his face, and in the midst of it
might be seen CLEAN Of new life, of
triumph, perhaps something of resent
ment. 81 do not want that woman, -
he said, bitterly. 1t was his last effort.
He was within reach of his cherished
prize, with power-perhaps the latent
hope to seize it. Alas! poor human
nature; the crisis and the complications
momentary rally; the delirium resum-
ed it's sway, and he died at one O'Clock
on the morning of March Is.
His body has been embalmed, and
is now deposited here pending instruc-
tons from America.
Mr.. Leonard had, in addition to the
above terrible heart trouble, been much
annoyed by sensational statement in
one of the New York papers, invented
by an over-officious reporter, to the eff
feet that he had come here to investi-
gate an alleged case of kidnapping,
whereby an American negro had been
sold as slave in Havana. This story
was utterly untrue. Mr.. Leonard
was in Cuba for this private affair
alone. 1t is certain that this idle Cos
sip, under ordinary circumsta noes.
would have been treated by him with
the contempt it deserved, but added to
the other and graver matter, it of
course aggravated his nervous and
morbid condition, and was not with
out its influence in the result. During
his illness the late congressman was
attended by DR.. D. M. Burgess, the
conspicuous American practitioner
here, but all his kindness, untirine
patience, land professional ability failed
1t is my duty to mention that during
his stay here, the unfortunate Mr..
Leonard had the constant care and
sound advice Of the efficient and es-
Unable consul Of this port. From the
time he fell i'll, Mr.. II. G. Hall, either
personally, or represented by his es-
tiinabie lady, though herself unweII,
was in almost constant attendance at
his bedside. The documents dispatched
l.