Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
DID DEATH ANTICIPATE HIM ?
President JOhnsons Private Secretary
Drops Dead, But Leaves Strange
Letters.

President Johnsons Private Secretary
Drops Dead, But Leaves Strange
Letters.
About 11:45 Wednesday night, says the
New York World of the 18th inst. Maj.
Edwin H. WeIrman, a man of distin-
guished appearance, entered the Coleman
House, where he had been stopping for
the past two months, and going up
to the night clerk, William l..
Strails, remarked that he was
not feeling well and asked him to
feel his heart beat. The clerk afterwards
said that Weirman's heart was beating
like a trip-hammer. Major Weirman
turned and walked to the elevator. As
he entered the door he staggered and fell
into the elevator boys arms. He gave
one gasp and died. His body was taken
to his room and the Coroner notified.
In Major Weirman's pocket was found
a 5-chambered Smith & WessOn 3S-calibre,
single action revolver. 1t was evident
that the man had intended suicide, but
death had anticipated him. The autopsy
made by DIR. jenkins last evening showed
that the man had died from aneurism OF
the heart.
Mr.. Mason, to whom the letter was ad-
dressed, has charge of the cafe in the Ho-
have known Major Weirman for num-
Der of years. He was a gentleman of
means and culture. He was n Southern
man, born in Virginia. and had charge of
a Northern regiment during the late
war. During Andrew Johnson's admin
istratiOn he was the Presidents private
secretary. He was very wealthy and had
been connected with several railroads.
He was. a short time ago, inspector of the
Pullman Palace Car Company. He specu-
lated in Wall street a great deal and lost
heavily. About year ago he suffered
from heart trouble"
Clerk Downs, of the st. Marc Hotel,
said: EEMaior Wierman left this hotel last
January. He was one of the most per-
feet gentlemen l ever met. He was very
wealthy until he lost his money in Wall
street. He was engaged to marry
wealthy young widow, whose name |
will not give. They frequently dined
together here, where the Major spent his
money freely. He was in here on Tues
day, l think, and borrowed an umbrella
of me. We were talking of the number of
suicides which were printed in the daily
papers, aud the Major remarked: You
need not be surprised if you see my
name among the list / laughed
and said that he was not that kind
of man. He replied, Il am no good, and
may as we'll die He had been de-
spOndent for some time, but l never be-
lieved that he contemplated suicide.
Judging from his letters ! think that he
was on his way to his room TO shoot him
self when God interfered. 1t will be a
sad blow to his friends, for everybody
loved him. He was, to my knowledge,
connected with several railroads. Last
summer he had charge of the road be-
tween Long Beach and Point Lookout"
Col. S. n. Moult0n, lawyer, recently
of Cincinnati, and who, with his family,
is stopping at the ArnO Hotel, at Broad
way and Twenty-eighth street, has known
Major Weirman for several years. He
said Yesterday: 81 met Major Weirman
four years ago when he was connected
with the Texas, Louisiana and Pacific
Railroad in Cincinnati. He was a very
able man, whom every one appeared to
like. When the road changed hands he
came to this city. During President
JOhnson's term Weirman was associated
with him. | believe he was connected
with the Revenue Department in some
way. 1t has been said that he was John
sons private secretary, but l am not
certain what he did. At any rate,
when johnson swung around in
the circle Weirman was with
him. He was engaged to marry very
charming lady. who is worth great deal
of money. She is from Kentucky. Weir
man was a SOutherner. | think he came
to Cincinnati with the influx of railroad
people from Alabama or Georgia. He has
many influential friends, and will COM
municate to them about his DEATH"