Morning journal and courier., 1884-12-08
ANOTHER MYSTERY IN DERBY.

claiming to come from New Haven, but said his home was in Philadelphia, Pa., where his parents reside He had been enjoying him self ever since he came here, going out hunt ing and driving to New Haven, Bridgeport and other towns near by. Just before noon to day he came in with span of horses and top buggy, which he said he paid $35 for the use of for few days. At about 1 o'clock, in company with MT. A. White of the Man sion House, he drove to New Haven and left MT. White at hotel, claiming that he was going to bank to get some money. He re- turned in short time and told MT. White that he had received his poodle (money). They then started for Derby, arriving here between and o'clock p. m. MT. Rodgers ordered steak for his supper and called for half dozen sheets of paper, saying that he was going to write some letters. After writ ing his letter he came down into the billiard room and was talking about playing game of billiards with young man. When he thought no one was looking at him he stepped to the end of the bar, took tumbler of birch beer and went into the entrance to the alleyway leading to the water closet. He was there but few moments when he came out into the barroom again and stepped to the outside door (wesD of the barroom and it was noticed that he made motion as if he was throwing something into the street, and immediately went to the bar and handed MT. White the following sealed letter:
 BIRMINGHAM, Dec. 6, 1884
 Mr. HotchkisS-Dear Sir-Forgive me for any trouble may cause you as cannot pay my M way; Do not attempt to find my relatives as you will be unable to do SO Sell what have left behind and bury me decently May you never know what un- happiness ls Truly yours, ~ ,,
 BIRMINGHAM, Dec 6, 1881
 H Hr rens r ecen need 4ou s y erso nal proPeTty ana d think @ it will pTTve e S9eeRs B6Ra to
 After giving the letter to Mr. White Mir. Rodgers ran upstairs to his room. Mir. White at once carried both letters to MT. Hotchkiss, proprietor of the Mansion House, who was at supper in the dining room. They both start ed to see what was the matter. They sent parties outdoors to see if they could find what it was MT. Rodgers threw out of doors. They soon returned with an almost empty two ounce vial which was labeled as follows Laudanum- Poison.
 CHARLES E. SHELTON,
 zAp''''oo''C Corner Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn.
 Mir. White went up stairs to MT. Rodgers room and found him on the bed, and took hold of him and said, ''What are you trying to do with yourself?" He threw his arms about MT. White and replied: "It is too late, am gone. You cannot save me. Al, there | is no use" and he fell back onto the bed Dr. Thomas B. Jewett was called and gave him dose that soon gave him relief He tried all he could to 1 resist taking the medicine, but the doctor soon had, his mouth open and forced him to l take it. In the morning he had a very ex- pensive revolver and it was feared he had it secreted in the room and the doctor ordered | him taken to another room, and then search I was made, but without success. His pock- cts were looked to, but nothing but knife was found He had then rallied enough so
 that he could understand Gttle MT. White | asked him where his revolver was. He said he gave it to John H. Carroll, 130 North Washington avenue, Bridgeport, and his l gold watch and chain to man in McCoy's | jewelry store in Bridgeport. He then asked | one of the men to get him revolver, saying | that he wanted to end his days. Being re- fused he sprang from him and tried to dash his head against the bedstead.
 In searching through his room portions of l more letters were found which he had torn 1 up. The pieces of one envelope were collect ] ed and it was found to have been directed to J. s. Schuyler, CT Fifth street, Brooklyn, E. h. N Y, and among his effects was found
 what seemed to be letter directed to Mrs
 E. J. Rodgers 212 Sixteenth street, Philadel- phia, Pa The letter was opened by gen. l tleman and the only contents of it was half | sheet of writing paper with no writing on It had been folded to fit the envelope and it
 had six pin holes in it, looking as if he had
 run pin through the paper after folding it. l A telegram was at once sent by MT. Hotchkiss to Mrs. Rodgers to notify her of the attempt at suicide and to ascer-
 tain if possible if she was his mother, as the foT hi Coi1 hot fon | first word he uttered was ''mother." MT. and | Mrs. Hotchkiss and MT. White of the Mansion l House did all in their power for MT. Rodgers l and while the rain was pouring in torrents | they sent for doctors and help. The young l man has not been addicted to the use of | strong drink. The cause of the trouble is | known to your correspondent, but we do not | at the present deem it best to give it to the | public, but say it is part of love affair. | DERBY, Sunday evening-Mr. Hotchkiss | this morning called on MT Rodgers in his | room and told him that he must give the ad- dress of his parents or he would complain of l him and have him locked up. He then said l that the telegram sent last night would reach 1 his mother as she was visiting there, but his
 fathers address was J. s. Rodgers, Al Pa
 ciic street, Philadelphia, Pa. He said his | father was in the patent right business and | was worth some money.
 | He pawned besides the other articles men | toned one single and one enamelled cluster
 (of 9)diamond rings and he showed the pawn
 tickets. It seems he played one game of | billiards after returning from New Haven,
 but played with his gloves on, which seemed
 very strange to those present, but his being | without the rings accounts for 1t. He said
 that he had eaten nothing for AS hours and
 that after getting the laudanum he put into
 it six drops of vitriol and his stomach this
 morning is very much infamed MT. F. A.
 Bradley, Broad street, Bridgeport, owner of
 the team, was telephoned to this morning
 and he reached here on the morning train
 and stated that Rodgers had engaged the
 team to go to Stratford and that he had not
 received any pay. He drove his team home
 about II o'clock. Before Rodgers came here
 it is stated that he had been in Bridgeport
 for about two weeks and that he had plenty
 of money and opened bank account at one
 of the national banks. He stated that he
 was formerly employed in large leather
 house in Philadelphia and that he had first
 class position, but gave no reason for leaving | it. He says he knows his mother will arrive here to-day.
 | naahh of