Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-02
MEET THE CORPSE. !"
That Was the Message Hayden H.
ShOuse Tslegraphei to His
Father-in-Law.
And then Committed ,.ssSuicidC
at the Louisville IOieE
Last Night.

Courier-Journal, 29th.l
Hayden II. Shouse, Esq, promi
nent lawyer of Henderson, KY, snC
well known in many portions of The
state, committed suicide at the Louis
vile hotel last night under the most
singular and startling circumstances
evincing a GOODNESS and grim humor ia
the face Of death that are hardly par.
alleled.
Mr.. Shouse came to the city on the
I'D ultlmo, and put up at the Louis
vile hotel. He made application for
three days board, and at the expira-
tien Of that time settled the bill. This
was on Thanksgiving day. On the
following daY he again appeared at
the hCtel and asked for room. lie
was assigned to 2l4. He appeared
to be drinking rather hard, but his
mind did not appear to be burdened,
and nothing was thought of it. He
has number of aequaintauces here
IN the city, with whom he spent a
good deal OF his time. A few days
ago he was taken sick, and DR.. Berry
was called in TO attend him. Mr..
Shouse was found to be suffering from
the effects of bis spree, and was treat
ed for alcoholism. Last night about
supper time he appeared in the Office
and sat down to a,table to write.
There were number OF gentlemen
engaged in the same way, and after
writing few pages, Mr.. Shouse began
conversation with one Of the gen.
tlemen, of whom he finally made a
confdante. He showed him the letter
he had written, which related to the
writer's death and the manner in
which he wished to be buried. The
gentleman did iaot pay much attention
to the affair, and considered the man
out of his head. After Mr.. Shou,e
had gone the gentleman walked up to
Mr.. Fleet, one of the clerks of the ho-
tel, and jokingly asked him who the
crazy boarder was. Mr.. Fleet became
interested and asked some questions,
which brought out the circumstance
Of the mysterious letter referred to.
The gentleman did not say to whom
the letter was addressed and as the
clerk did not know him, the reporter
was unable to learn. Mr.. Fleet asked
for description of the Aighty person.
which the gentleman gave, and it
dawned upon the clerks mind that
Mr.. Shouse was the supposed lunatic.
DR.. Berry came in shortly afterwards,
and Mr.. Fleet told him ofhis patients
mysterious letter writing, and he told
him he had better 60 up and see to
him. DIR. Berry, too, thought it ad-
visable and went Immediately to the
room occupied by MIR. Shouse.
The door was found open and the
doctor walked in unannounced. Mr..
Shduse was in bed, and to all appear
ances was in a peaceful slumber. An
envelope addressed to Mr. Lem Nc
Henry, one of the hotel clerks, was
found on a bureau, and the doctor
took it to Mr.. Fleet and had him open
it, 1t was written in a bold hand,
free of tremOr, and read as follows:
November 30.-Dear Lem: Imme
diately after the discovery OF my death
get coffin and have me shipped b,
first train to Henderson and telegraph
my death and shipment at once to S |
B. Vance, 52l Upper Third street,
Evansville, Ind, and tell him TO meet |
"the corpse" at Henderson. Be GER
tain to send me by first possible train
i don t want to rot either here or en- |
route. Mr.. Vance or my wife will |
pay hotel bill and all charges. Your
prompt attention will be favor which
| will try to remember.
Your friend, Ii. II. SHoUsE.
On learning the fearful import Of
the request, DR.. Berry rushed back to
the room of his patient and found him
still conscious. He said he had taken
morphine and wished to die DR.. Ber
ry at once set 10 work to get ahead Of
the fatal drug, but was delayed by the
patient, who refused to take the pre-
scription. The doctor told him ifnot
for himself he must take the medicine
Tor the sake of his wife and child. He
remorked eoldly that he did not.care
for them.
An emetic was finally gotten down
his throat, but the drug had taken
hold. GhGuse soon fell into deep
slumber. DR.. Coleman Rogers was
telegraphed, and arrived soon after.
Meanwhile DR.. Berry was bringing all
the asenG;;:as G;;as possible TO counteract the
dose, but to no PURPOSE.
DR., Rogers brought with him an
electric battery, which was applied to
the dying man, but be could not be
aroused, Bleeding was resorted to,
but ae1l o'clock Mr.. Shouse was still |
in a stupOr, and, to all appearances,
a corpse. The quantity or morphine
taken is not known.