The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-05-18
BY HIS OWN HAND.
Ex-Mayor c. Ben. Russell,
Tired of the Cares OF Life,
Commits Suicide.
WRITES A LETTER TO CITIZENS
Wrote Twenty Five Letters to a
Many Citizens, Telling Them Why
He Preferred Death to the
Life He Lived.
WRITES A LETTER TO CITIZENS

All that 10 mortal OF x-Mayor G. Ben.
Russell was consigned to the silent tomb
yesterday morning. Despondent, tired OF
burden of an aching heart, he on last
Wednesday night fired the shot that
landed his immortal soul into eternity.
For several months Mr.. Russell had
been financially embarrassed He had
always been used to plenty, and when
confronted with Inevitable misfortunes,
he chose rather to endure the fortunes OF
death to q life which seemed to him
without a ray OF hope.
Ex.Mayor Russell had his faults. In
common with humanity he inherited
some OF the f~railties Of human nature.
We all have our faults.
He was one Of the best friends oil Lex
ington. In the last letters Of his life he
wrote enthusiastically of her prospects.
He was the oldest native born Lsxing-
touisn, aud would have sacrificed any
thing for the good OF his town.
He wa about 81 years OF age, and was q
Mason for u quarter Of q century. He
was q member Of The council for eight
years, and mayor for four years.
Mr.. Russell had many fine traits OF
character. He always stood by his
friends; he helped the poor; he was well
posted on all general questions. But he
10 dead, u ere this has appeared before
his Maker, to whose mercy We commend
his soul.
He left q wife and five children to
mourn his death. His home relations are
said to have been almost ideal. No sacri-
ice was ever too great for him to make
for those who were bound to him by the
sacred ties OF blood. He had been married
for thirty seven years. His troubles bore
90 heavily upon him that they surely
affected his mind, and caused him to seek
an end to life.
to the citizens of Lexington, In the care
of Col. Sam Huston and Judge Field.
The letter Ia as follows:
MAY 18th, 1926.
FELLOW CITIZENS :-Shut up the croak-
ers who think old Lexington will go to
bowl vows In case the bridge il not built.
Build IL. You should, and ! believe will;
but should you fall, remember we have
gone on until now without 1t, and in the
past ten years In Lexington and her
suburbs there has been been built two
hundred residences, and there are not
now three desirable ones for rent. Look
at your High school, first n second
ward schools, Central, Wentworth, Bap-
tist, n +. A. 8. additions, fin business
houses built and others remodeled.
Lexington Ii alright, and her sun will
shine through all clouds Of adversely. IL
not now. the bridge In time will be built.
Keep abreast of and keep step with the
top of the times, by building a town hall
you will all be proud Of; own n add to
the w~aterworks an electric light plant;
become q city OF the third class. You are
one of four or i've left with a special
charter. l have never found a representa-
tive in my attendance on conventions of
q city who was not pleased with the
change, and who had any cause by reason
OF the change for regret Mt having made 1t.
Put In O telephone service and connec
MAYHEM and Odessa aud other towns.
Get river commission or an appropriation
to put Ia dykes above the city that will
cause the current Of the river TO send
Outward the SAND bar In our city's front
1t gone, the Mo. Paciflc's contract with
the city for right-of-way on Water street
requires them TO replace the levy al
J Apdersop's warehouse, This done, anC