The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-31
A PAUPER'S LIFE OR THE GRAVE.
Between the Two, Major Russell Prefers the
Latter and Ends His Life.

Major Fl. G. RUSSELL for many years IA
miliar figure on the streets of this city, and a
well-known sporting man, was found dead, at 3
o'clock yesterday afternoon, in his room over
Captain Stewards saloon, on Illinois street, OPP
posite the Bates House. He had committed
suicide, and had evidently died about an hour
before. He was last seen in the saloon
below at IL o'clock the night before
He had taken a dose of morphine
and having saturated sponge and two hand
kerchiefs with choloroform, had placed them in
his hat, and, lying down, put the hat over his
| face He died from the combined effect of the
| morphine and chloroform. The following letter
was found lying near him:
May %.
Captain Stewart:
| My Dear Friend-This is but poor return for the
many kindnesses I've received at your hands, but
there to be no other alternative Ts resolved
| into simple question of pauper's life grave
has for some time been but burden, and only re
tanned it in the hope that might become able set
| tie my little indebtedness, but that pleas
| the rest that death affords the wretched
| Please have me buried just you find me- with no
other expense funeral rites than what the city gives
to its poor. have only my trunk and its little
tents which would like my Clarence to have
it would be of little value to any else and it is the
only relic L nave to give shall leave here
the morphine and chloroform route las the papers will
doubtless facetiously call it, Hoping that yourself and
other friends may enjoy through life all that has been
denied me, Yours to the last
H.C. RUSSELL.
P. S.-To my ci-devant wife-Jennle--I die sincere
ly hoping the fault only mne my life has been
but series of blunders and mistakes. feel great
anxiety for Clarence. Such bright industrious and
kind hearted child should not be bred in ignorance
Write to my brother Allen sister Mrs. Clay They
may take an interest in him. May kind Providence
| protect you. II. c. r.
| Mr.. Russell was ffty-two years old. and had
lived here for twenty-five years His wife Sc
| cured divorce from him a few months ago. Be-
fore they separated he had threatened to kill
himself if she left him. She is living at No. 40
North Mississippi street One of their three
sons lives with her, another is in Chicago and
another somewhere in the West. Major"
Russell's sister is the wife of the youngest
son of Henry Clay, and is now living at Ashland,
KY. For years Mr. Russell had been gambler.
| He was a cripple, and comparatively helpless
and probably this misfortune induced him to re-
| sort to gambling as a means of livelihood. Re
| Gently he has had bad luck and has lived for
| several months by the charity of his friends.
| He did not gamble or drink much Of late because
| he had not the money to do so.
Russell was a man of decided talent, and has
written several poems and sketches that were
| largely copied and recited. He was warm
friend of George Harding, and in Harding's time
contributed several things to the Herald oyer
| the signature of "Old Time Rocks" One
| of his poems was entitled Immoral Benevo
| lence," and was satire the action of Col.
John W. Ray. president of the Benevolent So.
| ciety. for refusing to accept the proceeds of e
benefit rendered him by the Dramatic Associa-
| ton of this city on the ground that the money
| was obtained through immoral means Other
poems were ELLA of Memphis" pistol Bess"
and "a Yaller Dogs Love for a Niger" The
| last named poem was often recited at minstrel
| shows by Carroll johnson, Marsh Adams and
others. II described in pathetic way the grief
| of a yellow dog over the death of his negro
master. The concluding lines were: 6a
'Thars huge pile Of granite standin' over thar,
But to me this is heap sight bigger;
Thar stands monument money can't buy
Ayaller dogs love for niger"
The remains of the dead man were taken in
| charge by Ripley & Hedges. and will be given
| burial at the expense Of his friends.