, 1884-03-04
WEARY OF LlFEl
An Old, Old Story Repeated-WIne,
Women and Wickedness-Then the
Fatal Pistol Ball.

About eight O'Clock yesterday morn
ing E. b. Clifford, as be was known in
Cheyenne, for some time past book
keeper and business manager of the
Northwestern Live Stock Journal, COM
mitted suicide at his room in the
Leighton house by shooting himself in
the head with a thirty-eight Forehand
q Wadsworth revolver.
Previous to his arrival in Cheyenne
MI. Clifford had lived in Texas, where
he said he had worked for a number of
years as a cowboy for a prominent
cattle firm, and later was en-
ployed at a hotel in Gaines
vile, and finally secured a situa-
ton in the mailing department of the
Fort Worth Daily Gazette and Texas
Live Stock Journal, where he attracted
the attention and formed the acquaint-
ance of Mr.. s.. A. Marney, n of the
proprietors of the Live Stock Journal
in this city, at that time connected with
the Gazette and Journal at Fort Worth.
When Messrs. Mercer s. Marney estab-
lished their stock paper in Cheyenne,
Clifford wrote asking that the new firm
look out for a situation for him, and
vas at once rendered a position on the
Northwestern Live Stock Journal as
book-keeper and given charge Of the
mail, in consequence of his ability and
reputation for strict attention to bust
ness in Fort Worth. The Journal firm
forwarded him the money to defray his
expenses, and three months ago last
Saturday he reached the city and en-
tered at once upon the discharge of his
new duties. For some time everything
worked satisfactorily, and Clifford
gained the confidence of his employers
until their business was practically
placed entirely in his hands, he being
authorized to make deposits, draw
upon the company, attend to collec-
tions, pay bills, etc.
II DID STORY.
His prosperity proved too much for
him and his ruin and tragic death were
brought about by yielding to the tempt
ations that beset the weak on every
hand and are Haunted brazenly in pub
lie places. Strong drink, TO which he
was addicted, butnot, so far as known,
to immoderate use, probably nerved
him to a ~recklessness that, in his sober
moments, he would never have
dreamed of. Then he formed an IN
natural attachment for, and became
strangely infatuated with a notorious
woman, u divorced wife, with neither
charms of mind nor person, and upon her
lavished gifts in value far beyond his
means, to supply which he resorted to
gambling and so became involved in
the meshes OF crime that ended in the
sacrifice Of his own life. OF course,
upon his salary, which was but $40 per
week, his mode of life could not be
maintained, and his employers money
evidently, was many times made to
meet his wants, until he probably be-
came alarmed himself at the difficult
ties surrounding him and set about for
means Of escape. He first approached
Mr. Marney and asked him to indorse a
note given by him personally for $40,
but inasmuch as he had overdrawn his
salary and had returned none of the
money advanced him, Mr.. Marney de-
clined. After the latter gentleman had
returned to Denver, Mr.. Clifford made
the same proposition to Mr.. Mercer
and succeeded in getting the required
guarantee on his paper and had it dis
counted at the Stock-growers' bank.
Mr.. Mercer in the meantime departed
for Texas on business, and in the last
issue of the Stock Journal, Clifford in
serted the following advertisement,
stating that it was a friend of his, but
circumstances have since disproYed the
statement and indicate that he was
preparing for the expose which came
sooner than he expected:
To stockmen.
A young unmarried man would like a
position as DOCK keeper on q rancn or IN
the city for some cattle company. Has
had some ten years. experience on the
trail and ranch, and is a thorough ae-
countant. Would prefer ranch posi-
ton. Can furnish first-class references
as to capabilities and character.
Address w" box B, Cheyenne, Wyo.
Saturday last Mr.. Marney came up
from Denver, and soon learned enough
Of Clifford's affairs to warrant him in
discharging the unfortunate man, which
he did that evening. When told of his
misdeeds, Clifford broke down COM
pletely, wept like a child, and confessed
all. He begged to be retained in his
position and promised to reform his
evil habits, but was told firmly, though
kindly, that he must go. He then
BID GOODBYE.
to all parties present, and told his late
employer that he lMarney) would have
the melancholy duty of attending his