Daily evening bulletin., 1884-08-07
AN IGNOMINIOUS DEATH
The Result Of Ill health and Domes
tic Troubles.
A Suffering Husband who Disinber
tied His Wife and Indicted Ten-
der Missives and Bequeathed
His Property 10 a Cousin.

TROY, N. Y, Aug. u. Knickerbockei
Grlswold, whose parents live in South Toledo
Ohio, came here about three years ago and
found employment at VIM. Fl. Frear's dry
goods store. He was afterward placed il
charge of the kid glove department Hh
wife accompanied him here, and soon after
their arrival son was born to them. The
couple did not live happily, and in a few
months Mrs. Griswold separated from hei
husband and returned to Ohio, but Griswold
coD@ibuted regularly to the support of the
child. In February Griswold took out pol
icy of insurance on his life. Recently he
learned that his wife intended to institute
proceedings for divorce and this seemed x
weigh heavily on his mind. On Saturday
he went to Smith & Wellington's law
office and had his will drawn, bequeathine
the insurance money to his mother and sister,
ard in the event of the death of either OF
them before it was to go to the survivor, OF
should both die before him, the money was
to he paid to his cousin, Mrs Kate NJ. Fay,
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. Fay.
Tuesday afternoon Griswold complained
that he was not feeling well and asked for
leave of absence. He went to his boarding
house, and after the family had retired, he
made careful preparations to kill himself. He
penned kilograms to his parents and others,
saying:
'John has just shot himself. VIII write
You soon"
To each of these dispatches he signed his
cousins name. Then he took out the suit of
clothes in which he desired to be laid out and
placed them on a chair. Then he took his
memorandum book, which was found on the
floor in his cousins room, and wrote in it a
letter to his cousin, of which the following il
copy:
"AUGUsT 3, 1884
''DEAR KATE-When you read this will ts
cold and lifeless. Forgive me, dear Kate
God alone knows what | suffer. have Sl5C
in the bank and whatever change l have il in
my pocket-book. See Mr.. Townsend and give
him so and also thank him for all his Tast
kindness Have him break the news to Mr..
Frear and explain matters. / have laid out
the clothes / would like to be laid out in.
would like to be buried in Oakwood, but if
you think best send my remains West.
ooh, Kate, if could only keep away from
this rash act, but cannot. l know you will
feel this more than | shall feel the pain Yes,
Kate, you have been mother and sister to me,
and may our Heavenly Father bless you with
brighter life than have been permitted to
enjoy Good bye, Pm Off JoHN.n
1t is supposed that when he finished the let
ter he placed the pistol to his breast and fired,
killing himself instantly. Under towel on
the washstand the following letter was found:
"LANsINGBURG, Aug. 3
"DEAR FRIENDs-Try and forgive me as
forgive the woman l once loved. You have
all been very kind and l thank you for the
many kind favors received from your hands.
The cause is i'll health and domestic trouble.
And now / must bid you a last goodbye.
Break the news gently to mother and sister.
JOHN"
1t is said that the suicides wife reached
Troy Tuesday morning, and that Griswold
learned of her presence and feared unpleas-
ant scenes. For a long time Tuesday night
a woman carrying a satchel and umbrella
lowered in the vicinity of Griswold's house,
and SO strangely did she act at times that
persons asked if they could be of any assist
ance to her. To each of these she curtly re
piled: "No, sir; need no assistance. know
what am about" 1t is believed that thi;
person was Griswold's wife. No trace of hel
can be found.