Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-16
TIRED OF LIFE.
The Sad Suicide at Rock Ledge ola Once
Prominent Man.

From the Rock Lsdge F1d.) Sun.
Rock Ledge was the scene of a sad
tragedy on last Saturday morning. at
which time Mr.. Ira o. Seamans, a gentle
man from Providence, r. l., in the last
stages Of consumption, took his own life.
Mr.. Seamans came to the river about
Jan. 8. aud took up his quarters at Ma
gruder's restaurant, at Rock Ledge, and
put his case in the hands of Dr.. Hugh
lett, who attended him to the time of his
death. On last Saturday morning, about
8 o'clock, while his nurse was absent
from his room, Mr.. Seamans arose from
his bed and taking small ivory pocket
knife from a stand returned, and, lying
on his back in bed, plunged the small
blade eleven times into bis breast and
abdomen. from the effects OF which he
died early sunday morning. When hIs
nurse returned he was still conscious
and held the knife in his hand. Dr.. Hugh
lett and Mr.. George Magruder were i'm
mediately sent for and did All in their
power for the suffering man. When asked
why he had done so, he replied. II did il
TO take my life; | don't want to live any
longer"
symptoms OF insanity were apparent,
and previous attempts bad been made to
take his own life. and although the strict
est watch had been kept over him, he was
at last successful.
A letter addressed to DIR. Hughlett,
dated Jan. %, was found among his pa
pers, which he said was still his wish.
Below is the letter:
SATURDAY NIGHT, O'CLOCK. PM
Jan. 23d, 1886, at Rock Ledge.
MY DEAR DR.. HUGHLETT' had such
a very hard night last night and nave had
such a queer day to-day, under the cir
cumstauces, although not strong enough,
| must write you little 20 save the good
people here much trouble il should hap
pen to die here. Well, 10 was understood
by my wife and all my friends at home,
That If l should die south, should be bu-
ried South, and my body should never be
removed North. Soft should die here. /
would like you and Mr.. George Magruder
to lake charge and see that | am bu-
ried in the clothes l have, as cheap
ly and with as little ceremony as
possible; you will probably find
plenty OF money about my clothes TO pay
all expenses-if not, you can write TO
Louis Schmitt, Pine street. Providence,
r. l., who Will be good for hundred more
IL needed. / am in four societies, which,
all together, will pay my vile and chill
dren $4,000. If you will write at once to
said Louis Schmitt and to my wife, Mrs.
Ira o. Seamans, Phenix, Kent county.
X. l., and also to my attorney, whose card
Is inclOsed-Mr. B. and S. Will attend to il
all, aud send you the proper blanks 10 be
executed for the various societies. Ii
there Is any money LETT, want you and
whoever assists you, 10 keep IL all for
your trouble, only If l SHOULD die very
soon.
Don't send any OF my clothing or traps
Of any kind home; no good, give them all
% Mr.. y lenbroOk 10 do as he pleaaes with,
or II you or your assistant want any tool
or thing therein take all you like, Of
course. / cannot write more. Oh, only
one thing, the watch / have Is my wite's
watch, which she bought before marriage.
Please wrap that up carefully and send IL
20 Mrs. Ira o. Seamans, care OF 0ihOrd's
Express, Providence, Il. |. she will get
II the safest that way. Yours truly.
My dear doctor, am sorry cannot see
you to-day. IRA o. SEAMANs.
From DIR. Hughlett we learn that Ira o.
Seamans WAS 81 years Of age, anu at one
time Assistant Attorney General Of Rhode
Island, and a prominent man in politics.
file was a member OF the order OF Knights
OF Pythiae aud several other orders. He
leaves a wife and three children (irOm his
own account) In easy circums tances.