The record-union., 1893-09-04
DR.. Graves, the Alleged POisOner,
Commits Suicide.
USED MORPHINE TO PUT AN ENT
TO HIS MISERY.
An Effort Being Made in Congress to
Legislate John L. Davenport Out of
Omce-Hin's Bill In the Senate to
Repeal. the Federal Election Law
Relating to Supervisors of Election
Likely to Pass.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

opeClal 10 bUe tlECORD-ONION.
DENVER, Sept. s. DIR. T. Thatcher
Graves, formerly of Providence, r. l.,
was found dead in his cell at the County
Jail about 9 O'Clock this morning, where
ne was awaiting a rehearing on charge of
having poisoned Mrs. Josephine Barna-
by. a wealthy widow, also of Providence.
The poisoning is said to have been done
TO cover up DR.. Graves alleged deialca-
tions as manager of Mrs. Barnaby's
estate.
The doctor took his own life, using
morphine. In a satchel in the doctor $
cell were found five letters, the first one
having been written on August 9th last,
showing that his suicide was contem-
plated since then. Following is the first
letter opened:
To the Coroner Of Denuer, Colorado-DEAR
SIR: Please do not hold an autopsy on my
remains. The cause of death may be rem
dered as follows: Died from persecution,
worn out, exhausted. Yours, respectfully,
L. THATCHER GRAVES, NJ. d.
The last letter is directed to Captain
Crews, jailer of the County Jail, and is
full of bitterness to County Attorney j.
w. Stevens, who secured DR.. Graves
conviction In the first trial and was work
ing hard to again have the doctor con-
victed.
In the second letter, which is dated
August 18th, Graves denounces Stevens
as liar, and adds:
My lawyers have full receipts showing
that | never wronged the estate of Mrs.
Barnaby, and that the estate now owes
me outside of the legacy by the will. The
public sees what [ have to expect from
the viilainous, cowardly falsehoods Of
Stevens. l cannot eXpend more money
lighting him. l must take the only means
to prove it for my wife and dear, honored
aged mOther.o
Notwithstanding the above letter, Cap
tain Crews, in an interview, Indignantly
denies that DIR. Graves committed suicide
h Q says the doctor died of a broken heart
and to use the Captains words: HE was
murdered by attorneys for the State, who
have harrassed the old man to DEATH"
The three other letters were to Mrs
Graves, the County Commissioners and a
lengthy one addressed to the public. The
one addressed to Mrs. Graves and the
Commissioners have not yet been given
out.
Mrs. DR.. Graves was informed of her
husbands death shortly before noon, and
tor time was almost crazed with grief.
Notwithstanding DR.. Graves request
that no autopsy be held upon his body, a
rigid investigation into the cause of his
death will take place tonight.
DR.. Graves, before his death. said he
was penniless, and thought it no more
than right if the county paid the cost OF
his prosecution it should also be willing
to appropriate enough to enable him TO
defend himself. The decision of the
county to try him again undoubtedly
prompted Graves to put into effect his
idea of suicide, which it is plain he had
been contemplating for some time.
DR.. Graves letter to the public is a
long document, in which he reviews the
history of his remarkable case. He de-
MED that he ever committed the crime
with which he was charged and declared
that his prosecution was accomplished
with money and political influence.