The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-01-24
SUICIDE.
THOMAS H. HOWARD Is FOUND DEAD
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
Letters Left by the Dcceased--His Belief In
spiritusiism-- Formerly Distinguished
Lawyer in New Orleans.

committed suicide at his room on Navarro
street. Itappears that the Rev. Mr.. Preston,
pastor Of the Cumberland Presbyterian church,
had for some time taken deep interest in the
old gentleman. lie called at his room,
knocked, received no response, aud on push
Jog open the door found poor old Howard
apparently asleep. He endeavored to arouse
him, but this proved unavailing, for the af-
hic,ed old gentleman must have taken his
lease OF life some hours before the ministers
arrival. A bottle Of morpine was found on
table aer his bed side. 1t was partially
drained, and the circumstance explained the
method to which the deceased had resorted
10 order to shuttle OF life's burdens He lay
calmy and plscdly, like a child asleep, hav-
log done with its toys.
Justice Adam was summoned at once, and
on reaching the house an inquest was held,
resulting in q verdict that deceased had come
to his death by his own hands in administer
ing morphine. His body was theu given in
charge Of Mr.. w. o. Langdon, Of the firm Of
Langdon, Greenlsy & Co., on Austin street,
who had it prepared for burial, the Express Of
this city taking charge Of the funeral and
making all arrangements therefor.
The deceased was q figure on our streets.
His pstrisrchsl face, with long flowing white
beard and steel gray hair that clustered pro.
fu,ely to his shoulders, his bent form and
piercing glance, his person always clearly and
neatly alfred, will be recalled by many who
passed him daily on our streets and would
involuntary turn to question as to who he was.
He came from New Orleans some three
years ago, and on reaching here was shortly
after employed on the LIGHT, where he
worked for something more than a year.
After this he was employed on the Express
and remained 50 up to the time Of his death.
He had formerly been q lawyer in New
Orleans of considerable distinction, and had,
it is said, once occupied a judicial position.
With ready pen he had been prominent in
politics, and more than one OF the political
speeches which stirred Louisiana after the war
have emsnated from the deceased. Besides
this his taste for literature was peculiarly re-
fined, he was conversant with the best authors
and kept abreast OF the best modern writers.
His own contributions to some OF the leading
magizines OF the day show talent and versa
plsuse. He made few intimate friends. He
was averse to obtruding himself or his reminis-
eences upon others. He had been for years
suffering with asthma. To alleviate this
malady he came to San Antonio. Finding
very little relief he became depressed, and
doubtless while laboring under one Of these
attacks he rashly threw away his life. He
leaves 4 wife and four children in New
Orleans.
He left few papers open for inspection,
though among them were several This to
the Coroner:
"This is involuntary. No suicide can be
an act Of my will. But no stomach pumps,
Mr.. Coroner. II a man cannot live it should
be his privilege to die"
TO PREACHERS.
preach the spiritual man, man with his
spiritual faculties uncovered to the friends Of
the human race in the skies. 1t has no
friends among worldly spirits. The spiritual
man will soon manifest and enter an appear
ance upon earth. Misery, crime and toll will
cease. There is no labor for a man to do in
This life but qualify himself to be spiritually
born in his celestial home. There is no
human want that has not been provided for
by theDivine Author Of Existence. When
supply fails it is owing to conditions. When
man shall learn to live under the spiritual laws
and in the keeping Of the benehcient friend
over him it will never fail"
His letter to Mr.. Lsngdon reads:
"At last-Mr, Langdon, will not you send
to Mr.. Brice the small trunk, and also the
other to the care Of Brce, c. o. d?
"Here is . word for yourself and dear DR.
Jones. Will you not send my old dictionary
to my family, addressed,
MRS. ANNIE G. HOWARD.
"62o Aupunciation street, New OrieansH
The following letter was addressed to his
wife:
"To MY BELOVED ONES.
Hang on the parlor wall talisman, any
ornament so marked. II will direct your
thoughts to me. In trouble each concentrate
your thought upon me, and you will receive
what you ask when conditions admit of it
In this way many, many Of your wants viii
be supplied, your prayer granted, your wishei
gratihed. Who Of you will be thinking o
me when l stand in your presencei Ble,
|
overhead"
Another unsesled letter was addressed t.
Mrs. Thomas Williams, 3a4 Soledad street
and dated July a, 1881, in which he evince
his gratitude for her many kindnssses.
Towards Mr.. Winter. the editor Of tn,
LIGHT, he was always very companionable
and left him the subjoined note:
ITO Mr.. Winter, Editor of the LIGHT:
"a year and half ago rewrote the abov
below in the style Of the 6rs verse for tn
Evening Light It made a neat little poem
But had handed it to Mr.. Ryder-Taylor, q
: his request. to read, and he lost it. hav
thought he migat find it after am dead, il
, which case it will be legitimate for you to tax
1t and print it;
now 1T Is.
, i.
As to what we are or are not,
In the world Of sin and care,
lis not what we feel-by far not
So much as 'tis what we dare;
It's not what we think 40 much as
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