Connecticut western news., 1880-01-14
A MilIiOnaire's Suicide.
ECCENTRIC BACHELOR KILL.
 INGt HIMSELF WITH CHLoRoFoRM.


 TNGt HIMSELF WITH cH1oRoFoRM.
 Leonard Case, Cleveland's eocent trio bachelor millionaire, was found dead on the floor of his sleeping room early in the morning, having committed suicide by an overdose of chloloform. His head was enveloped in blanket which, being unfo1ded, disclosed a sponge saturated with chlorofor m, which had evidently been held close against his mouth. He had retired at 12 o'clock, after an evening at whist, and appeared to be in usually good spirits. He had been consu mptive for years. and could have survived but short time longer. His physician had put him to bed regulary every night for two years.
 When his father, the late Leonard Case, came to Cleveland about 1910, this was almost a wilderness. Case was 8 man of small means, and farmer becoming indebted to him for yoke of oxen, he was compelled reluctantly to accept ten-acre lot for the debt. That lot is now in the heart of the city, and made the Gases millionaires. Leonard Case left two sons, William and Leonard, Jr., William was formerly President of of the Lake Shore Railroad, and after ward Mayor of Cleveland. He died in 1862, and Leonard, the elder, in 1865, both without leaving will, and Leonard, Jr. thus came into possession of @ property est mated to be then worth seven millions. This has nearly doubled since 1865, so that when Leonard Case died he was tue richest landed proprietor in the State.
 Leonard, Jr., was born in 1920, was graduated at Yale. studied law in Cincinnati, and was admitted to practice in 1842. He never followed his pro- fession however. He was one of the finest mathematicians in the country, and besides was fine classical scholar. Some one in 1859 having made the assertion that the Atlantic Monthly would not accept poem from Vest ern source, no matter how meritorious, he wrote and sent, anonymously, "Treasure Trove," an historical poem, which was accepted, and afterward re- printed in book form. In 1878 he published 8 volume of poems that was favorably received. His eccentricities were many. When 8 young man he pur- cha. @ l ten beautiful steeds and presented them, handsomely caparisoned, to as many of his lady friends. Seeing an old acquaintance walking the street in g deiected manner and evidently medita- ting on a recent loss of fortune, he slipped up behind him, and, placing iu his hands, which were folded behind his back, roll of bills amounting to $500 fled precipitately before the man could discover his benefactor. One day he drove to the HerGzd office and invited J. H. A. Bone, the city editor, to take { drive. Passing along one of thu principal residence streets, he pointed out several lots, and asked MT. Bon' which he thought most eligible fo building. Bone made selection, ant Case said: "Well, build house on i and send me the bills when it is com pleted. I'll give you deed of thu property" And he did, much to thu astonishment of the scribe. Wishing t give needy person suit of clothes without letting the fact become known he took him to a clothing house jus after an election and told the clothier t give the man suit, as he had lost it t him on wager. A few years ago h. walked into a meeting of the Younl Mems Christian Association, laid $100 on the table, and left without saying
 word.
 He never would notice direct appea for charity, and, some ladies having SC
 licited his help, he rebuffed them hatly
 The next day they received $500 bi
 anonymously. He founded Case Library
 giving to the association a propert
 worth $2OO,000. He employed an agen
 to dispense charity secretly, and gay
 away during his life thousands of do
 lars. He brought Prof. S5ockwell, tn astronomer, to Cleveland, built him fine house and observatory, beside
 giving him stated income for the sul port of his family. He did many othe f things for the cause of astronomy an geography, in both of which things |
 was an enthusiast.
 MT. Case was cousin of Gen. Fine
 son Opdycke, of New York. MT. Cas
 was special partner in the house. H ) made protege of young son of O. . Mayor Ohapin, and on his birthday, few years ago, presented him with t check for $21, 900. Many buildings |, Cleveland were erected by the Case @ but those houses which are most wide 6 known are Case Hall and Case Bloc l which is occupied by the city at a rent D Of nearly $50, ,000 annually.
 l. Leonard Case owned nearly two tho @ sand acres of land within the city limit r When young man he met poor gi a at dancing school and fell desperately 7 love with her. She was beautiful a1 charming, but Leonard failed to W }. her and ever after smiled not upt Il women. It is thought that this expel }. ence did much to make him @ reclus l. He died leaving no will, and his va l. estate will go to some thirty or for @ cousins living in different parts of tl j. country, but mainly in southwestel @ Illinois. - A TRAMP asked for meal at re dence in Columbus, Ohio. The head a the family said, "Get along, or I'll { < the dog on you." Then the tramp b V that within five minutes he would
 ;ox,;&oJ ko aot of thu hast that Eha hon,