Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-02
A SOLITARY DEATH.

The Body of a Physician Found in
Field on the White Bluff ROad-Dead
on a Bed of Straw-A Probable sui
eide.
Early Yesterday afternoon negro
named John GlattisOn, while crossing an
omen field on the left of the White Blum
road. about half a mile beyond the toll
gate. discovered the body of a white man,
neatly attired i'm dark suit, lying on
he'd of pine straw. The fact was reported
70 Coroner Sheftall about O'Clock, and
he Immediately fastened TO the point in
dictated and found the remains. The eye
still retained the lustre of person not
long dead; the left hand was resting
upon the breast. over the heart and
held a photograph of a collection of Con-
federate flags, on the reverse side OF which
appeared the following inscription:
E'B. 23d r. :. c. ", ElliOtt's Brigade, A.
y. V, c. :. A, Ga to 65.'
In one of his pockets was small diary
with the greater part Of the pages TORN
out. In the pants pocket was 1ouhu
bunch of keys, marked -. W. Fergusoh'
Cosmopolitan"
There were no marks of violence on the
remains, and DIR. Sheftall had the DOd!
moved to the mOrgue preparatory sEor 10 AN an
inquest. which Will be held there liiis
morning at IL O'Clock.
The deceased until quite recently was
emplOved as a drug clerk in the store Oh
Mr. Edward J. Kieffer, corner OF stewart
and West Broad streets, and boarded with
Mrs. Jordan on the same street, between
Jones and Berrien.
The Coroner, accompanied by MT.
Kieffer and "A representative OF the
NEXVE last night called
ON Mrs. Jordan. who stated that
Ferguson was out. and that she had not
seen him since last Thursday morning.
She was then informed that the doctor
was dead, and that the Coroner Wlsned 10
inspect the room the deceased IateIy Oc-
cupied The apartment is about ten leeU
SQUARE. and was i'm perfect order. Al the
foot of the bed was the trunk behind
the door. On the right or south
side. near window, was small writing
table. on which was copy OF the MORN
ING NEWS Almanac, rand one or TWO
newspapers and a piece of note paper,the
latter having the following in his own
handwriting:
s.De niAiIo nil IN inhilUm MI posse rererfo.'
when remembrance wracks the mind,
Pleasures but unveil despair
I'm medic tutissin,us IBIS"
On the reverse OF the sheet was lue
drawing of a flag in cOlOrs.
In the table drawer was box OF color
ed crayOn pencils. and in a washstand
drawer a number of toilet articles. On
the mantelpiece over the fireplace an
empty pistol box. The trunk contained
suit Of gray clothes. number of articles
of wearing apparel and package OF let
tiers. but none of recent date, from ac-
quaintances and relatives. Also photo
graph of an elderly gentleman.
There were also a number of cards with
the imprint of the Medical College of the
state of South Carolina, dated 1875 and
a diplOma from that institution showing
that the deceased had graduated there as
a physician and surgeon in 1874.
There was nothing TO indicate why the
unfortunate man had gone out into an
omen and comparatively waste field and
made a bed of pine straw upon which to
die, DR.. Kieffer reports that the deceased
was a very gentlemanly and quiet person,
though somewhat slow as a clerk. and for
that reason he was obliged to dispense with
his services. He and Mrs. JOrdOn stated
that DIR. Ferguson about ten days ago pro-
posed to return to Charleston, and that,
as he had not been seen for two or three
DAYS. il was thought that he had gone
there on a brief visit.
The deceased was about thirty-twO
wears of age, five feet eight inches in
height. and very gentlemanly in appear
ance and manner.
He leaves a brother, and mother and sis
ter. the two last living at Mount Pleasant,
near Charleston. to mourn his sudden and
unfortunate demise. The COrOner's ill.,
quest will probably solve the question
whether death was premeditated by the
deceased.