Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-09-09
KILLED HIMSELF.


DIR. t. Thatcher Graves, Once Convicted
of Poisoning Mrs. Barnaby. and Await.
ing New Trial, Commits Suicide In
Jail mt Denver.
DENVER, Col, Sept. 4-Dr. T.
Thatcher Graves, who was convicted OF
poisoning Mrs Josephine Barnaby, but
had been granted new trial, com.
mitted suicide in his cell at the county
Jail Saturday night, presumably by talk
ing poison. He was found dead at a.
m. Sunday by the "trusty" who had
been caring for him. On his person
was found the following letter:
DENVER Col, Aug Q, 1893 TO the Coroner
OF Denver-Dear Sir: Please do not hold an
autopsy on my remains. The cause OF deaf
may be rendered as follows: Died from perse.
cution Wecp out Exhausted Yours re.
specWully I. THA-CHER GRAVES, M. D."
The corpse was quite cold when
found. No direct evidence was visible,
but the above letter tells the story.
There were also letters to Mrs. Graves.
wife of the doctor, to Jailer Crews, and
an address to the public. That the pris-
oner had long contemplated taking his
own life is evident from the date of the
letter-August last.
DIR. Graves was awaiting his second
trial for the alleged murder of Mrs.
Josephine Barnaby of Providence, who
at the time of her death was visiting
friends in Denver. She died April 49, 1891.
After one of the most famous trials
in the criminal annals of this country
DIR. Graves was convicted of murder in
the first degree and was sentenced to
be hanged. The supreme court granted
him new trial, which was to have be-
gun the latter part of this month.
As is evident from the letter ad-
dressed to the coroner, DR.. Graves com
mitted suicide, but with what drug the
autopsy alone will tell. 1t was sup
posed, however, that he took morphine.
THE crime OF which DR. L. Thatcher Graves
vas accused was a celebrated case. He was an
intimate friend of Mrs Josephine Barnaby OF
Providence, r L, and her financial adviser ana
agent on a salary OF $1,000 annually She was
the divorced wife OF wealthy mer.
chant OF Providence, and possessed a
fortune of 100000 and an annual income
OF $4,000 Mrs. Baruaby was u great traveller
ana was accustomed to spend part Of the sum
mer at Blue Mountain Lake, N Y. living
at the residence OF Edward Bennett In the
spring of 1891, while at that place, she and DR.
Graves had misunderstanding. They parted
and Mrs. Barnaby ut once started west Event.
ually she arrived in Denver and visited Mrs Wor-
relL six days before her arrival in April of
that year package came 70 her address 1t
contained bottle OF liquor labeled Fine old
whisky from your friend in the woods" The
bottle was laid away in the house, its
contents untouched for week Mrs Barna-
by and Mrs. Worrell took a drive April
H. and on their return both drank of
the contents Of the bottle Almost i'm
mediately both were seized with great pains
They became violently Ill, and Mrs Barnaby
died Mrs. Worreu finally recovered. The
physicians declared the illness Of both women
was due to arsentcal poisoning. Suspicion was
cast upon the Worrells, but no action was
taken against them. The writing on the pack
age resembled that OF Dr. Graves and finally
he was arres ted and then indicted for murder
The long tight he made for his life developed the
past history of Mrs. Baruaby and the accused
man, His friends claimed there was an alb
sence OF motive for him. He could have no OBJ
Iect in desiring the woman's death, they said
He received salary from her and had. they
absolute control over her fortune and
could have converted 1t TO his own use IL he so
desired His enemies declared he had other
reasons FOR wishing her out OF the way.