Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-12-10
MIR. ooNWELL's DEATH.
A Letter Confirming the Report In
she Mysterious Note.
A Note Announces EAis Death at
Rarauautlla, south America

BATAnquttt8s SOutn Amerhchs
A letter, mailed in an envelope bearing
the card of the Stevens House, New York,
directed to James N. Conwell, was re-
ceived in this city on Saturday. 1t read;
NoyEMBER.9,-FriendJ James: Your father
Myers O. ConwelD died at $50 last even
ing and we buried him here at Baranquilla,
South America. SAMUEL BALLARD.
The few lines were hurriedly written
on the fly leaf of book, in lead pencil,
and no other information was contained.
James N. Conwel was away from home
on hunting trip, and the letter was
opened by his wife and its contents made
known to Mr.! Conwell's family and
friends directly after its receipt.
Il appears as if the letter had been
written hurriedly in Baranquilla, South
America, where Mr.. Conwell has resided
for over two years, and hurriedly given
some one on board departing vessel, and
the latter closed il in an envelope after
arriving in New York and forwarded it to
| the deceased's son.
Mr.. Conwell, as is we'll known, was
chief engineer of the city surveying de-
partment holding the position from 1870
| until 1888, when he resigned to accept q
| position to lay out and superintend the
construction of railroad in the state of
| Antioauia, one of the United States OF
Colombia, South America. The line ex-
tends from Baranquilla to Medellin, and
was in building by the government.
When he went to that country he was
ACCOMPANIED by his son, but owing
/ to some revolutionary demonstrations in
the country work on the project was sus-
pended and young Conwell came home.
The father expected to have returned last
fall. but was induced to accept position
on another road, and had arranged for his
family to have spent this winter with him
in Baranquilla, for which place they
would have started soon after the New
Year.
No communication has been received
from Mr.. Conwell since early in October
last, much longer period than has
elapsed between the receipt of previous
letters. The family have expected on
epistle for three or four weeks past, and
the fact that none came increases theil
fears that the report concerning his death
is correct.
Mr.. Conwell was born December, 1927,
nj Milton, Sussex county. He graduated
at Yale College, class of 80, and after
ward taught school and studied law al
Georgetown and Dover. Later he en-
gagged in civil engineering lt.,i3 laid out
the junction & Breakwater railroad aht
participated in other work of similal
nature. He was an excellent engineer
and man of ripe scholarly attainments
A letter was received by member o.
the Charles Warner Company Monda,
from New York representative of tina
firm, who had Just had an interview witt
n gentleman arrived within q day or TIVE
from Baranquilla, South America. Th
. gentleman left the city named on Novem
Der 10th, and states that the evening
, before his departure he had seen Myer
IC. Conwell, and found him suffering
| from an attack of fever, though his cas-
, was not considered dangerous. MIR. Con
we'll had lust been removed from hi
hotel, the Victoria, to the home of o.
| American residence, where it was though
/. he could have better treatment and nurf
l ing. ;.
q The letter is regarded as confrmin
the statement in the letter received froI
! Samuel Ballard. The date the latter not
a bears is indistinct, but as deciphered
n reads November 18th, showing that MI
/ Conwell lived Just week after the d
d parture of the man referred to by Nj
Q Warmers correspondent. The brevity I
@ Billiards. letter and the indication it Dol
of having been hurriedly written are a
/, counted for by the fact that there WI
Is lust q moment to dash off the few lin
IS In time to catch the boat for Aspinwa
]. to connect with the steamer from Ne
q York.
The next mail steamer from Sou
Il America will arrive in about week, al
Or full information concerning Mr.. Conwel
lie death will doubtless be received.