Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-21
A Wrecked Life.
THE SUICIDE OF CAPT. W. I. HOWELL, LATE OF THE e
s. ARMY-HIS DOMESTIC TROUBLES-HIS CLAIM OF
THE GOVERNMENT, ETC

THE SUICIDE OF CAPT. W. I. HOWELL, LATE OF THE e.
s. ARMY-HIS DOMESTIC TRoUBLES-HIS CLAIM ON
THE GOVERNMENT, ETC.
The dead body OF Capt. VIM. T. Howell, assistant
Quartermaster C.S.A., who was wholly retired in
February, 1882 was found floating I'm the dock ct
Locust point, Baltimore. yesterday. Sundry papers
OF a private character. relating to business and
family troubles, We're found in his pockets, and
from one OF these the presumption Is that he COM
mltted suicide. 1t Is stated In Baltimore that Capt.
Howell came to that city sholt time since from
Washington and engaged In canvaSsing for a sub
scription book, in which he was unsuccessful. The
boiy was buried by his friends in Loudon Park
cemetery yesterday afternoon. Capt Howell was
native OF Pennsylvania. and was appointed cap
August 9Th, 1863 He was made brevet lieutenant
colonel Of volunteers May 1lth. '65 'fOr long and
Iaithfn! service during the war" He was appoint
ed captain and assistant gu lrtermaster October
26th 1855, and was made brevet major March %,
'67. "ior faithful and meritorious service in the
Quartermasters' department during the war;"
THE DISTRESSING STORY TOLD IN A LETTER LEFT BY
THE DECEASED.
A small notebook found seems to clear up much
OF the mystery surrounding him. 1t contains
tragedy in itself, and the open letter which is
written in it tells distressing story, as follows:
II have claim on tho United States Treasury
for allowances for my army service amounting to
between $4O0 AMI $500. When last heard from it
was before the second controller for his action.
My uncalled for retirement from the army, for
which am partly indebted to my late wife. from
that OF her sister whom 1 permitted with her
children to live with us; her open and decided
preference Tor other men, the manner in which
she deceived me, and her notorious reputation In
army circles made the latter part OF my lie al
most unbearable particularly when she was on
one Of her drunken tantrumS. Being tabooed in
army circles what a feeling for man to have
occupying the position heidi
"All OF these matters put burden on my
shoulders which few men could have borne, and it
has often surprised me how have stood 1t. 1t is
breaking me down. The continued dSappont-
ments l have met since my failure TO obtain the
employment l was seeking, and the falSity OF
woman to whom was much attached-for had
comfort In her SOciety-with my i'll success here In
the insurance matters, therein which l am en-
gagged, have added to the weight which / am COM
pel'ed to bear and constantly to think Of or late
can see change in myself. l cannot bring my
thoughts to bear on any particular subject for any
length OF time since, and have lost pretty much
an desire for reading or study, OF which was
able dreams and falling health make me afraid OF
my own self at times, and make me fear doing
something rash.
II was Frustrated by the heat OF the sun and
fell, striking the back OF my head on the stones,
short time ago: since which have not felt we'll
no desire to attend to business, and peculiar
feeling in my hand This has only intensified the
former pressure OF the burden, and with the con-
stant thoughts OF my miSfOrtuneS, and being as
Sured Will never get rid Of them, at times almost
drive me mad, and 1T Is a wonder am not. 1make
these notes In case Of accident to me by natural
causes or by my own causing. The thing has been
In my mind for some time past, ana 1t may be the
means of my relief from the terrible burden or
trouble which has almost broken me down. have
kept my matters TO myself; have made no conf
dantS, and although my own conduct was some
honest. was driven to dissipation by the heel
shod In my own home. 1t would never have been
so had kind words prevailed instead Of constant
abuse and vulgarity. w. 7. HOWELL"