Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-25

the hearts of many citizen of st. Paul,
has fallen shadow whose mystic outlines
are filled with the hooking phantoms of
a seemingly cruel and utterly relentless
fate.
A tragedy that involves the death of
once honored man is awful to contemplate
at any time, but at this jocund season of
the year the shock created by an event of
this kind seems to be laden with specially
poignant significance.
1t was natural then, that when the news
of the tragic death by suicide OF DR.. Mer-
rill B. Patterson was circulated in this
city yesterday that the joyous and busy
throngs, filled with thousand anxious
and pretty conceits concerning the pleas
ure that was to come with the mornings
Christmas dawn, should pause moment
from their pleasurable pursuits, and re-
gretfully ponder on the painful circu m
stances of this we'll known citizens death
The first intimation of his death was dis
covered about 9 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing, when his body was found stark and
stiff in the embrace of the grim destroyer
at Oakland cemetery.
It was strange place fer such an aw-
full tragedy, the circumstances Of which
are peculiarly impressive and solemn.
FINDING OF THE BODY.
About O'Clock an expressman named
George Dufour, had occasion to visit the
northwestern extremity of the cemetery,
his object being to deliver headstone or
vaulting for one of the lot owners.
While proceeding along the driveway he
observed the PROSTATE form of man
lying on one Of the mounds. He got
down from his wagon and approached
the form which he at once recognized as
that of DR.. Patterson, whose we'll known
form has been familiar to nearly every
resident in St. Paul.
Observing frlghtful hole in his head,
and making certain that life was extinct,
the frightened man drove rapidly into
the city and reported his discovery to
Coroner Davenport. The latter, in COM
pany with a GLOBE reporter, started at
once for the scene of the tragedy. 1t was
lovely morning for such horrid dis
covery. The warm rays of the morning
sun fell like benediction on the mounds
where rested the peaceful dead. The
snow glistened brightly, and the English
sparrews chirruped bllthely in the gnarled
and leafless boughs of the trees.
Driving directly to the spot where is
located the burial lot of the Patterson
family, the doctor and GLOBE representa-
tive came to the pathway chosen by the
deceased, as he took his last walk on
earth before the fearful suicide. About
two inches of snow lay on the ground,
and his footprints were as distinctly
marked as if they had just been imprinted.
The expressman, having approached from
the other side, the surroundings in this
direction had not been disturbed.
APPEARANCE OF THE BODY.
The body reclined at nearly full length
on the mound Of his young son. In pre-
pairing for the deed he had evidently
used the greatest care and precaution.
His head had fallen to the right of mar
| BILE cross that graced the head OF the
| grave. Placing himself in sitting pos
| ture against the standard of the cross he
had fired the fatal shot, which must have
| resulted in instantaneous death, as the
head had fallen as described and the po-
sition of the body was perfectly natural.
| Directly over his head when the shot was
fired, on the marble shaft, was the in
scription, "Our son, Duane FL. Patterson;
died August 18th, 1872, aged pine years"
To the right of the body was marble
scroll at the head of the grave of a
Younger son, and bearing the name,
ssMerrill Patterson. Thus the head lay
between the two graves OF his children.
| A pearl handled revolver lay between
his legs where it had fallen after the
shot. 1t contained five chambers, only
one of which was empty. 1t was of the
Tiger make, No. 2, and sc calibre. The
right hand of deceased bore the marks of
powder.
On lifting the head up CHASTITY and
ragged wound was disclosed, the ball
having entered above and little to the
back of the right ear. The body was
frozen stiff. He was dressed in bust
| ness suit and wore a muskrat overcoat.
His watch and money were found intact
upon his person. From the general ap-
pearance of the body 1t must have lain as
found at least forty eight hours, and per-
haps four or five days.
Officer Merriam was on hand and the
body was carried to Dufour's wagon,
when the sad procession started for the
city.
By this time the news Of the terrible
affair had been broken to the family by
Mr. OrVlllc U. Mlllcf, UTOtutT VI NlTS.
Patterson. Their distress on hearing Of
the calamity was terrisle and of too sa-
cred character to adequately describe.
Stees Bros. were sent for and the re-
mains were conveyed to the family resi-
dence, corner of st Peter and Iglehart
streets, where they were laid out.
A CHEQUERED CAREER.
The deceased, Dr. Merrill B. Patterson,
has had a highly successful though di-
verified and chequered career. He arrived
in ST. Paul in 1855 from Cooperstown,
New York, and IS from well-connected
and most respectable family. Taking up
his residence in this city he married Miss
Miller, sister of o. G.. Miller, and settled
down to the practice of his profession.
AS dentist he ranked as first among the
operators of the State. His fine intelli-
gence and unequalled skill made him a
host Of friends and his practice
was second to none in Minnesota.
The sun of prosperity always has shone on
him, and he could have easily amassed
handsome fortune. Like great many
brilliant and successful men he had but
one weakness, that of intemperance. He
was fond of his cups, and to this weak
ness is attributed a great share of his
misfortune. His home circle, consisting
oe -, x.,;fo fo,,r rvirIc oud q how woo ono