The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1879-10-16
SUPPOSED SUICIDE.

The Late Manager or the Western
Union Telegraph Company In Thi,
City Disappears.-He Leaves Word
that He f. about to. Drown Him
self.
About the first OF September Mr.. ]. &.
Byrns arrived IN this city TO take the posi-.
ton as manager OF the Western Union TeIe
graph Company's business here, in place OF
Mr.. Green, who had been promoted to the
Denver Office. For a few days he
| conducted himself In business.
like manner, but In a very short
| time II became q notorious fact
among many who had business transactions
I with the company that he was rejecting
his duties. Those who were in q position to
| know easily arrived At the reason for this
neglect. He was q victim Of intemperance,
and his absence from the once and the con.
| sequent failure to pay proper attention to his
responsible position were only too easily TO
be accounted for.
OF course, the loose manner In which the
business OF the Western Union Company was
being canied on by Mr.. Byrns could not long
be kept from the officers, and few days ago
the present manager. Mr.. Nelson. was sent 10
take his place. The Affairs were found in Q
bad condition, but the work was at once
commenced OF Strengthening matters up, and
yesterday a final adjustment Was to has been
made. But II was apparent from the INST
that a dedication in the accounts Of Mr..
Byrns would be proven, and this served, IL
now seems, TO bring a sad ending TO his ca
reer here.
His excessive use OF liquor had the usual
effect upon him, and for several days he bad
been In a state OF mental depress on. He
asked fellow boarder few days ago what
the boarder thought OF q person who would
commit suicide. At times he has been no
ticed sitting alone with a worn out, wild,
haggard look upon his face which betok-
ened some inward mental struggle
He had.been RECEIVING medical treatment,
however, for his nervous depression, and for
the past day or two had seemed In pleasant
state OF mind and aided in Strengthening up
his accounts with the company. He was al
his boarding house, Mrs. J. l.. Burrell's, j22
Delaware street, for supper tuesday evening.
Later, about nine O'Clock, he came into the
telegraph office. Mr.. Will Jones was the
only occupant AZ the time. He asked Jones
II he could get off from taking the night dis.
patches to help him with the books
that night Jones told him
he would IL he could, when
Byrns- replied ''Oh, well, / don't care
I'm sick OF the business, any ho~." He then
filled his pipe. lighted IL and left. rh's rs
the last thai he has been seen AT this time
Mr.. Jones says that he seemed In = very
good frame of mind.
Yesterday morning, as he did not make
bis appearance at the breakfast table. after
waiting until q late hour, his lsndiady went
TO his room to call him, but found u
vacant aud that the bed had
night. Close Investigate revealed two let
tiers upon the bed, one 10 Mrs. Eurrell, which |
was AS follows:
'LEAvENwoRTH, KANSAS, Oct. Z. |
"TO Mrs BurTeH: |
MY body Will be in the Missouri river
when you ind this come 10 your noiice
" hen this fact becomes known, my brother
will come on and take charge OF my effects. |
This Is the rSsult OF drinking bad whisky"
'.B"
The other note was TO Mr.. Nelson Manager
~ the Western Union Telegraph Company, |
and Was As follows:
"LrAvESwoKTH, kansas, Oct. :, 1879.
Mr.. Ne S11i, Manager W. U T.. Co:
DEAR SIE:-When this reaches you my
body Will he In the Missouri river am n /
leila utter TO the company, and rather than
lace i'm prisOnment and disgrace, 1 shall take
nv lie. When my body Is found, a sufficient L
SUN of money will be found sewe.i I'D In the
,ollar of my vest to defray the necessary tx
"BURSs"
Accompanying the letter was also his bank
book OF the First National Bank.
As 10 the defalca;ion of the de-
,eased-for 1t is the general belief
hat the notes were written by
aim In good faith, aud that he has indeed
'uicided, though some believe that they were
written as a blind 10 cover the fitght-as to
he amount of the defslcation, Il II not deE.
litely known, but is perhaps 500. This Is |
u " cove, ed by . bond of g 100 the bouds-
men being parties in Michigan. He left all
ais personal effects at his room in the board
ng house
The deceased came mere from Brooklyn, n.
l :, where he has a wife and one child. He
Vas recommended by one of the leading OH.
mrs OF the company to his position-Anson |
5tager, Vice President Of the same. He Or
Tered his bank book sent TO this gentleman. |
The unfortunate man, If indeed he has
committed suicide, points out the moral OF |
he affair In his declarations to the world In |
more powerful manner than lt could other |
wise be presented "Bsd whisky did it," |
ore "A IN 6n from an honored position and
ent him TO a suicides grave in disnonor.