The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-05-14

The mystery surrounding the suicide
of James B. Teller, an Oregon stock man,
living in Crook county, who killed him.
self April oath in Kansas City hotel, has
been apparently solved. Teller last
December arrived in Missouri with a
band of Oregon horses to dispose OF,
making she home of J. N. Kern at Spring
field his headquarters. 1t was there be
met a Mrs. Jennie Boxwell, a buxom
widow, and daughter of Mr.. Kern, whom
he fell passionately 10 love with and
became her devoted admirer. The object
of his affections warmly reciprocated the
devotiops shown by her Oregon swain
aud In a little while the engagement
OF the couple was announced. Mrs. Box
we'll later went on visit to her sister,
living near Chilicothe, and it was there
that she and Teller were married
Wednesday evening, April Goth. The
same night the bride of few hours left
for Frankfort, Ind, to get her household
goods, and four days later her husband
was lying cold in death, victim of his
marble slab in Kansas City morgue. 1t
was not until several daye after that the
BRIDE of the self-murdered man learned of
his fate. On receipt OF the news she
Immediately went to her fathers home
at Springfield and there found letters
awaiting her from her husband, written
in nervous hand, but showing great de-
Liberation IN the deed of self destruction.
1t appears that Teller was victim of the
gambling table, had lost money belong
ing to his wife, and not daring to face
her again deliberately killed himself.
One of the letters written by Teller to
his wife is as follows:
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL,
KANSAS CITY, Mo-,
April "a, 1892.
JENNIE-My dear and loving wife; 1t is
with sorrow that Jim, the one you have
placed your trust in, is not worthy of that
trust. When this reaches you L will be no
more. 1 should have told you I was ad-
dicted to the habit of gambling. I did not
do SO and have deceived you. l am sorry.
You are a dear, good woman and do not
deserve this misfortune;' but, dear, you are
better off without me than with me.
Since came to Kansas City l have lost
what money 1 had, some $3.50, and as it is
Jennie's money 1so regret it that cannot
have courage to meet you and ask forgiveness.
have some notes at your fathers
house. Please collect for yourself. l also
have SIS in notes in the Saline county bank.
1 think the law allows you all have. 1t is
not much, take it. 1t does not begin to pay
you for your disappointment.
In the morning will pawn my overcoat
for pistol to end my worthless life.
Do not weep, am not worthy of your
tears. 1 will try and get word so that you
will not be out too much. Please forget
your worthless husband. Pity his failing,
and the good God that rules all will make all
things right.
Once again asking your forgiveness I am
your loving husband, ]. B. TELLER.
do not want you to lose any more than is
possible on my account. Again bid you a
long farewell. Your JIM.
After writing and mailing this letter
he evidently went deliberately to work
to carry out his purpose of killing him
self. Packing up his valises In the room |
and addressing them to his wife, be
procured pistol and then wrote a second
letter to his bride, asking her to pay his
hotel bill of $3.50, which would DE
exacted before she could get his baggage.
He also requested that she would write |
to his sister, Mrs. Belle Read, who lived |
at Moro, Sherman county, Oregon, telling |
her that he was dead, but not to let her |
know the manner in which he died, and |
not to write to his folks or friends living |
at Mitchell, Crook comfy. Then again |
bidding adieu to his wife he mailed the
letter, returned to lis room in the hotel
and killed himself.