The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-04
Distressing Suicide of AN Englishmam.

Distressing suicide oil AN EnSlishlhan.
Yesterday afternoon about four o'clock a
boy named Clark Shull was fishing in the San
nett's, when he observed black felt hat which
he endeavol ed to get. and in so doing he dis
covered the body of man floating in the
river. He at once gave informatioe to Police
man Fi'zhenry, and to Justice Adams. The
body was then drawn out of the river, and an
inquest held upon it,
Whilst this was bling done Mr.. Clayton
recognized the body as answering the descrip-
ton of man named William Haden,. who
had been missing all day from Mr.. Gees res
dence, at St. Johns chapel, and the name Of
w. Haden being in the hat, the jury returned
verdict that the deceased was found drowned
in the San Antonio river.
Our local has investigated the matter, and
has gained the following information, which
should have been adduced at the inquest:
The deceased. William Haden. was steel
trap maker, aged ~ years, and came from
Wolverhampton. England. He sailed
steamer se% Mss;sspp Sy a arriving e'h hs5e
in November last. lie worked for Mr..
K. !. Reid, the Sunset contractor. as black
smith at Del Rio, and since then for the Sun
set railroad. and came back dehiitated in
health, and there is reason to believe that his
head was affected by exposure to the sun.
Since his arrival in the city he has boarded
with Mr.. Gee, a brother countryman, with
wh"m he was apprenticed and who came over
here with him. He has been under treatment
of DIR. Herff and seemed to have the impress
sion that he would die. Last night he saw a
fellow countryman named Iredale and asked
him to cut his hair, remarking at the same
time che was dead man." He alluded to
his children in England, and said tina, if any
thing happened to him they would be orphans
and totally unproviled for. lie passed rest
less night and next day had haggard and
wild appearance He asked Mr.. Gee to
write letter to his brother in England, which
Mrs. Gee did. as her hush md was busy. and
he said ''tel them am dead man. He
repeated the words. Eyes, tell them am a
couraged him by saying, 'she could not say
letter did not please Haden, and he then
said that his thoughts wandered and sat
down wrote two letters, one to his brother.
the other to his sister. taking especial pains to
prevent anyone seeing them. and as those
etters were not fou d upon the b d, it is sur
missed that he posted them prior to committing
the sad act. He then left alfred only in hi
hat waist coat, shirt and pants. This was
about ten O'Clock, and nothing more was
heard of him by the Gees until after the in
quest had been held and their friend Inferred
at the poor house. Mrs. Gee found that
Haden had left his money, watch and knife at
home, which he usually carried upon his per-
son. and ala med at his strange behavior com
municated her fears to her husband, who
searched for him in vain, enquiring at the
various newspaper offices and OF the police
There is no doubt that the unfortunate man
committed suicide whilst under temporary in
sanity. He had the reputation of being p
sober, industrious and able mechanic. His
wife died about two years since, and left Rim
with five children. ranging from fifteen to
three years old. These are now in the care
Of the deceased's brother, who resides at Bon
igal Albrton, on the borders of Shropshire,
who has hitherto received money from the
deceased for their board, etc., and who is in
humble circumstances.
The deceased had the object of saving
money, in order that he might purchase ground
near Austin and send for his brother and his
wife to come and live with him, and bring his
children to their fathers home.