St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-31
TOOK HIS LIFE.
A Discharged Private Commits
Suicide.


Suicide.
j. Vernon Westbrook. late of Com
pany B. Third infantry, a recently dis
charged privaee from Fort Smelling,
shot himself twice near the heart last
night at the Windsor. He registered early
in the evening and was assigned to a
room. The shots were fired shortly
| after midnight while in bed. He was
taken to the hospital, and although con-
SciOuS, will probably not recover. When
asked as to his reason for attempted self
destruction, he said that it wonld take a
Year to tell 1t. de is about thirty-eight
years old.
A derringer pistol containing two bar
relS was found on his person, together
with a note book, having several
pages written last night, evidently.
The book contains several mes
sages to friends and companions.
The last page was either written in red
ink or with his own blood, as is very
probable. 1t is very Scrawly, whilst the
other pages are written in a bold, plain
hand. Among the miSsives are the fol-
lowing:
My boy is at the Sisters of Mercy Home con-
vent, AnOka, Mimi.
What have what am entitled to, give to
him. Some kind brother see that he meets
different - and to Sister NJ. Gertrude, in
whose charge he is, please be mother
10 him. Please see that he lives not
as | have. but as your devotion TO your belief
will govern your heart what is divine in this
book. and as am, hope that those who
owe me will remember that no longer do they
owe me, but that it is due to my boy. Would
you-No. 1 don't believe that you would.
FINS.
1, To Falter Dolphin: The preacher at Smell
ing, who is supposed to be an advocate OF
l..a4k e.f oh -.
that my boy at Anoka Mimi, gets from the
government the amount due me ON final
statements.
To Captain Thompson. the kindest man
ever met send my regrets, no. that ever
met him, but that he ever trusted me, / humbly
beg Of him (you) his your pardon. 1t
is remembering that burns the heart
now sigh in memory, joy and pain
from bygOne fancies rise. But oh, who
would forgetl We dream of days departed
but remembered still. But, oh, no further
ike the past other hearts can thrill. And
so. who would forget?
l owe to Silver Bow club. Company B.
Third infantry, amount entrusted to me-
SOS. owe to Mrs. Boies, and l shall never
forget her kindness whatever she may de-
mand. To Sergeant Harper. ordnance de-
partment owe for shaving 81 for month of
December
To j. ". Glen, Company B. Third United
States Infantry-I request him to assist Rug
Ter in getting the papers ready for Mister
Do you require to know why ask this? So
that no trouble will be left for those that
live; because that l think more Of
Glenn do this for me and freely leave you
$500.
To the sensation reporters 1 would say
spread the news. They never yet mended
any hearts or regulations.
have Sl26 in my pockets
The writing closes with several injunctions
to friends. He then says of the world l
would be forgot. Good night. good night"
The book has several accounts in it.
The last page is evidently written IN blood.
and is to the effect that he is dead and leaves
SIPS in the safe for Charlie.
He calls attention to page II of his book in
several places. on which are statements of
several accounts amounting to several hun
dred dollars. that he claims to be due him
from a number of persons.