The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-04
HE OUTWITTED THE HALTER
Dr.. Thatcher Graves Suicides in His
Prison Cell.


fenced to Hang, He Was About to be
Retired and New and Strong Con-
demnatory Evidence Had Been Sc
cured Against Him-on Saturday
Night, However, He Poisoned Him
self, Being Discovered Dead on Yes
terday Morning-The Deed Some
Time Ago Determined on-His Letter
to the Coroner.
Denver, Sept. 3.-The county commits
sioners had appropriated $4,000 for
bringing eastern witnesses here to testify
in second trial of DIR. T. Thatcher Graves,
of Providence, accused of the muir
der of Mrs Josephine Barnaby by poison
ing, and the report of District Attorney
Stevens, who had just returned from a
tour among the witnesses in New England
and New York, was adopted Mr.. Stew
ems had positive evidence, much of
which was new, to convict.
GRAVES COMMITS SUICIDE.
But Dr. Thatcher Graves committed
suicide in his cell in the county Jail last
night, probably by taking poison. He
was found stiff and cold in death at 9
o'clock a m. to-day by a "trusty'' who
had been caring for him. On his person
was found the following letter:
LETTER TO THE CORONER.
Denver Col, Aug. 9.-To Coroner of Den
yer: Please don't hold any autopsy on my
remains. The cause of death may be rem
dered as follows; Died from persecution.
Worn out. Exhausted. Yours respectfully,
THATCHER GRAVES, MD.
1t would keep man busy to follow Stevens
and answer the lies which he unblushingly
peddles out TO the papers. One or two, how
ever, need attention, and they are easily
proven to be lies. 1 was member of the
Massachusetts State Medical Society, also of
the Connecticut State Medical Society. 1
never have made application to the Rhode
My lawyers have the full re-
ports showing that never
wrongcd the estate OF Mrs. Barnaby, and that
the estate owes me outside of the legacy by
will The public see what have to expect
from the villalnous, cowardly falsehoods of
Stevens. l cannot eXpend more money fight
ing him. must take the only means to
prove It, for my wife and dear. honored. aged
mother THATCHER GRAVES, M. D.
SUICIDE LONG CONTEMPLATED.
The corpse was quite cold when found.
The direct evidence of suicide. was visi-
BILE, but the above letter tells the story
There were also letters to Mrs. Graves,
wife of DR.. Graves, TO Jailer Crews, and
an address to the public That the
prisoner had long contemplated sui
eide is evidenced by the dates of
letters found on his person (Aug 81
As is well known, DIR. Graves was
awaiting his second trial for tlfe alleged
murder of Mrs Barnaby of Providence,
who at the time eff her death was visiting
friends in Denver. She died April 10,
1891. On April she drank from a bottle
OF whisky that came by mail from Boston
q l.. Ill,
New Year. Please accept this fine old
whisky from your friends in the woods"
THE LIQUOR CONTAINED POISON
The whisky containedasolution of arse
mic. DIR. Graves was accused of sending
the bottle. After one of the most famous
trials in the criminal annals of the coun-
try, DR.. Graves was convicted of murder
in the first degree and was sentenced to
hang. The supreme court granite new
trial, which was to have begun the latter
part of this month.
A thorough search of the cell had been
made before the letters We're brought to
light pile of books and magazines
That stood on the little table were exam
ined and his clothing was searched, but
nothing was found that would explain
matters until the satchel was lifted aside
and the letters found under it. The doc
tor left everything in order before he
died
SITUATION WHEN FOUND.
When he was found he was clad in his
trousers and shirt He lay on his right
side IN the posture usually assumed after
retiring. There was a slight froth on his
lips, which might just as easily
come from natural causes as
from poison. There were paper sacks of
fresh peaches and pears on his
Table, the gift of his wife on her late visit
Yesterday. Mrs Graves and several gen
temen visited him yesterday. AS is the
custom, they were searched, but nothing
Oh suspicious nature was found on their
persons.
THE FATAL POTION NOT DEFINED.
AS is evident from the letter addressed
10 the coroner, Graves undoubtedly
committed suicide, but with what drug
an autopsy only will tell 1t is sup
posed however, that he took morphine.
Mrs. Graves was informed of her hus-
eG1ahus death shortly before noon.
one was at the house of
attorney Macon, who has ably defended
nef husband, and where she has been
stopping for some time. The poor woman
was deeply affected by the news, and for
d tlne nobody could comfort her. Mrs.
nlacon did what she could for the afflicted
woman
REFUSED TO BE CoMFoRTED.
Mrs. Graves finally regained her COM
PoSQre and expressed wish to see her
HuSDdnd's remains. Accompanied by
Hlfs Macon, she hurried to the Jail, only
~ ma that the body had been taken to
sLc Ioroner's Office. The news of the re-
RsoIaI OF the remains caused another af-
da'g,.lng scene, and the poor woman sat in
a u9ze Tor some time Then she was led
W. 'Ae apartments of Jailer Crews, where
o oue remained for some time moaning and
GRAVES LETTER TO THE PUBLIC.
o,r Dr Graves letter to the public was
cr erMln out this evening The doctor
oc, oceaIEGs that at his trial the bailif's court
laa!iS-except the clerk of court-the
pna5ogles, the Judge and jury, were all
ST. the control of Ky
a'yg'ehs' the district attorney, and
Sung Leading politician, and that he
b,9oo b,l .,. no chance against Stevens, backed
H. saeh .1eh Judge and purchasable jury.
H. pay ne Is tired of the whole business.
- ~ exhausted and thinks it is useless
as IN Ilnue the fight. He concludes
U5 '94oWs; If it was a fair, stand
sI sp legal fight, 1 should have
Rrt RI enance and would stand up to it.
49, ~ is not fair. 1t is as foul, dirty an
wboIo as ever disgraced an act. The
of H. St power of the court is in the hands
6b95 ,eFens, and his nature never allows
Dll 10 deal fairly.