The Indianapolis journal., 1886-01-31
EDGAR ALLEN POE'S DEATH.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journat
In recent sermon, Rev. 7. Dewitt Talmage
d. D., the noted Brooklyn divine, says that "bad
men and women live very short life. Their
sins kill them" And then, as one of the proofs
OF his assertion, he, in burst of eloquence
says: edgar A. Poe died at Baltimore al
thirty eight years of age. The black raven that
alighted on the bust above his chamber door was
delirium tremens.'
Now, the eloquent divine intends to convey
the impression that the lanented poet died OF
delirium tremens. Indeed, that has been the
popular belief for many years; but it is mis-,
conception, and one that is founded, no doubt,
upon the authority of DR. Griswold. The fact
OF the matter is no such sable craven" as the
"delirium tremens" ever hovered around his
chamber door.
Ever since that brilliant but erratic son Of
genius. Edgar Allen Poe the strangest poetic
character known to American literature. died,
controversy has ragged as to the question of his
death His literary executor, Rev. Rufus w.
Griswold, began it by falsely charging that Poe
died in a fit of delirium tremens. Two days
after the poets death the hypocritical teacher Of
gospel truth, GrIswold, published the lie in
depreciatory notice of Poe's life and works in
the New York Tribune, and subsequently in
biography under the title of a Memoir of Edgar
Poe, he palmed off upon the world the same in
famous lie and sent it forth on its direful work
of defamation. The soidisant Memoir" was
very adroitly written, with many felicitous
phrases, and, IL is said contained some truth,
which, by the way. would make it only the more
fendish. A lie that contains some truth is lie
most damaging and damnable The unconscon-
able Griswold exerted himself to the utmost to
hncy f%nu@ Eosxn fnvr Is H.
was an enemy of Poe during the latters lfe and
the Memoir" so-caled, conceived in malice
and written in hatred. Instead of performing
the functions Of a biographer with honesty and
the grave of the dead poet, and
clothed the cold remains in the
habiliments of a scoundrel. He did it for no
other reason than simply to crafty his jealousy,
| spite and enmity Poe was a keen critic, fear
less and outspoken, and he had several times cut
| and slashed pretty heavily with his critical ak
| into the productions of Grswold and the latter's
| friends. Hence the animus of the "Memoir.'
| Although Griswold SO shamefully betrayed his
trust, yet his malicious story was long believed
| to be true. But Poe had several friends who.
| have defended him. and his memory has at last
been vindlcated from many aspersions breathed
| against it by the reverend libeler.
Within year after the poets death his old
| friend, N. p Willis, brother poet himself, ex-
posed Griswold's defamation John Neal did the
same. Then Mr. George r. Graham. proprietor
of the well-known Grahams Magazine. refuted
the falsehoods of the pharisacal preacher.
Later, Mrs. Whitman, in her admirable work.
"Poe and His Critics. completely annihated
the calumniator of the lamented poet And
John H. Ingram, although not an ideal biogra-
pher, has recently, in well-written essay ex-
posed the falsifcations INDUCED in by Grswod.
And short time since DIR. John J. Moran, the
physician in charge of the Washington Univers-
ity Hospital of Baltimore, in which Poe died,
presented his testimony. 1t will be remembered
hnf Poo yuz0 AjcaA IT,. ~, l. D~IA
more, insensible. He was dying when found,
and, being unknown. was taken to the above
mentioned hospital, where he died on the 7th Of
October, Io49 OF inflammation of the brain, in,
sensible to the last This occurrence is the
ground for the absurd reports that he died of de.
lirium tremens DR.. Moran soemnly testiies
that Poe was not drunk at the time
of his death. and that he had
not been intoxicated Immediately prior
thereto This testimony. coming as it does from
the medical attendant Of the poets last hours,
proves conclusively that his death was not
brought about in the ignominious way that his
libelous biographer would have the people be-
lieve. 1t manifestly shows that Poe was foully
dealth with; drueged. robbed, and left in an in.
sensible condition to die. 1t indicates that he
fell as the victim OF other mems crimes [and nos
because OF his own moral obliquities
Still, the fact is not ignored that, owing to
sorrow and pecunary embarrassments, Poe, in
his lonesome latter years." resorted to the use
of ardent spirits as a nepenthe for his troubles.
But, nevertheless, his indulgenceS were far from
being great as his enemies asserted. Poe was
an unfortunate child of genius. His was q
troubled life, and melancholy marked him fog
her own" And
''Unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster"
During his whole life. But his poetry still re-
mains the most individual poetic products to
which the United States have given birth and
especially Is it considered by the English crit
les. He had an indefinable felicity of style, q
Godgiven faculty of saying things as they had
never been said before. His genius won for him
distinguished place in the American pantheon
BELLEvILLE, Ind. ARBEL c.. CANTLEY