Huntsville gazette., 1884-08-09

Were a Greater Load than He Could Bear
Deliberately Plans and Compasses His
Own Death After Arranging All the Pre-
liminaries.
Troy. NJ ", August 8.
]. Knickerbocker Griswold, whose pa
rents live in Toledo, o., came here three
years ago and found employment at VIM.
II. Frear's dry goods store. He was af-
terward placed in charge of the kid
glove department. His wife accom-,
panied him here, and soon after their ar
rival son was born to them. The cou-
pie did not live happily, and in a few
her husband and returned to Ohio; but
Griswold contributed regularly to
the support of the child. In February
GrisWold took policy of insurance on
his lie. Recently he learned that his
wife intended to institute Il suit for
divorce. This weighed heavily on his
mind. On Saturday he went to Smith
& Weliington's law office and
had his will drawn, bequeath
ing the insurance money to his
mother and sister, and in the event of the
death of either one of them before him it
was to 60 to the survivor; or should
Doth die before him, the money was to
be paid to his cousin, Mrs. Kate nj.
Faye, who boarded in the same
house with him in Lansingburg. The
money to his credit in the Lansingburg
bank and his personal effects were also
bequeathed to Mrs. Faye. Yesterday
afternoon Griswold complained he was
not feeling well, and obtained leave of
absence. lie went to his boarding house
and alter the fami y had retired, he made
careful preparations to kill himself. He
penned telegrams to his parents and
others, saying "John has just shot
himself. Will write you SOON" To each
| of these dispatches he signed his cousins
name. Then he undresSed himself, and
took out the suit of clothes in which he
desired to be laid out and placed them
on chair. Then he took his memoran-
DUN book, which was afterwards found
on the floor in his Cousins room, and
wrote in it letter to his cousin, of which
the following is a copy:
AUGUST 3, 1884.
DEAR KATE.-When you read thi; WI te
Geld and lift Fotgive me. Dear ate.
Goi alone knows what 1 su e. La S4,vtO
in ban1 anu Whatever change | have is IN
L..
him SO; also thank h m for all his pas kind
ness. Have aim break the news to Sr Frcar
and explain matters. | have laid o It me
clothes / would Ike to be nd outii. /. / would
like to b. btr Ell il Oa. wJot but if you
th.ns best send my r;ma.ns West. Oh,
h; t., f could only Leep away fio.n this
raSn acl, b It L can no.. l know you VIII
feel tl NOE than snail feel the p n.
Yes Kate, you have bee mother a-d s.
ter to me, and naT our Heave " tatler
bless you with a fighter fe tn IN | have
been permitted 10 elJoy. Goodbye I'm Off.
JOHN.
1t is supposed that when he finished the
letter he placed the pistol to his breast
and fired, killing himself instantly. I'm
der towel on the washstand the follow
ing letter was found:
LANSINGBURG, Angus 4.
DEAR FRIENDS Try and forgive M, as
forgive the woman | once loved, you nave all
been very kind, and l thank you for many IA
vors received from your aldS. The cause
is i'll health and domestic trouble. an now
must bid you Il la It gOO1-by. Break the news
gently to mother and sister.
JOHN.
1t is SAID the suicides wife reached
Troy yesterday morning, and that Girls
void learned of her presence and feared
unpleasant scenes. For long time last
night woman carrying satchel and
umbrella lowered in the vicinity Of Girls
woid's house, and SO strangely did she
act at times that persons asked ii they
could be of any assistance to her. 70
each of these she curtly replied: "No,
sir; l need no assistance. l know what
am about" 1t is thought that this per-
son was Griswold's wife. No trace of her
II,