The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-22
YOUNG CiDET"s SUICIDE
Aniicted with Disease that he Feared
Would Impair hi. standIng in his CIass.

WEST POINT Aug. 81. The officers and ca
diets In this military department were shocked
this morning over tho announcement that Ca
Diet james Todd, Jr had committed suicide.
What led to the belief was tho finding of three
letters in his room Mt tho hospital one OF three
pages addressed to DIR. Irwin. another of twelve
pages addressed to his mother. Mrs Susan Is.
Todd Indiana. and the other addressed to two
OF his classmates. Tho one addressed to DR..
Irwin speaks OF the writer's Illness. and says
that the great length OF time that must ensuo
before he RECEIVERS would greatly impair his
studying in his class. and ho saw no pros
poet for the future; that he would only bc
burden upon his friends and that
before he would be missed his body would
find rcpose in the Hudson. In his letter to his
mother which was full of the tcndcrest affection
he says that he sees no chance for recovery
from n scroiulous disease which affected both
his head. throat and eyes. The letter TO his class
mates was brief and pertained to business mat
tcrs only He did not hint about his Intended
suicide, except that h. informs them whore they
could find some cuffs and collars. and adds :
You use them. for l shall never noed them
oS WEan n. ,.,,,n ,,,,n, ,,,..o ,o,,...,o,
was ut once reported to Con. Schoneld, in COM
mnnd OF the Department. and q search was in
sttutcd for the body. Some Of those engaged
in the search went along the shore north and
south Of the steamboat landing. others went to
the north dock and beyond; and another party
which put out into the river. The last named
purity found upon tho rocks ut Coos Point
Todd's cont, pantaloons. hat. and shoes caro-
fully piled in two heaps. The clothing added
its mute testimony to the letters. and the fact
Of the suicide WAS confirmed. Search was in
sttutcd for the body but up to the hour Of clos
ing this despatch II had not been found.
Young Todd was in his % year. and was one
OF those who were received in the Corps Of Ca
diets in April. 1876. when So many joined TO 20
| To the Centennial On the 30th oi Nav last one
| Of his eyes became sore and nfamcd. and he
was sent 10 the hospital. but soon recovered.
| Soon aiterward the other eye was attacked in
| the Same way. and he was again sent to the hos
pital and his condition grew worse. sores break
| ing out upon his face and throat. He frequently
consulted with Or. Irwin. His classmates called
| upon him regularly. hut about two weeks ago
| their calls were less frequent and he became
| despondent. In ono conversation latieily with
calctship and go home. hut the Doctor dis
| abused his mind of That notion. telling him TO
remain in the hospital until he could ect stron;
| enough To travel and then lose a years time
| and 90 To- the Arkansas Hot springs. Last oven
in. tho cadets had an entertainment. and some
OF the GONZALES 'cnts in Tho hospital went to II
! and returned at about lue. NJ which hour some
! Of them saw young Todd in his room. That was
| the last that was seen OF him.
| H. stood at the head Of the third class. and
the instru tors say that h. was very bright and
| smart. His classmates all speak in the high II
| terms Of his disposition. and says one. liz
| was a friend 10 everybody. An official report
| has been made 10 the War Department. and tho
letter 10 Mrs. Todd has been forwarded 10 her