The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-21
EDGAR ALLAN POE.
Miserable Way in Which the Famous
Poet Came to His Death.
From the BALTIMORE American.


From the Baltimore American
Saturday, Oct. Z, ends a half century
since Edgar Allan Poe died. The time and
place of his birth were for many years
uncertain, even now some of his biograph
ers differ on the subject. The place of his
burial was at one time undecided, but that
V3s definitely settled, in 1875, and a mon
ument was then erected over his grave in
Westminster church yard, Baltimore
A former Baltimorean, recently living in
san Francisco, gives what he claims to be
true account of the poets last days and
DEATH This is his story: Il was an in
innate associate of Edgar Allan Poe for
many years. Much that has been said and
Written regarding his death is false. His
haoitual resort in Baltimore was the Wild
%" MeaSher's place. This was an oyster
stand and liquor bar on the city front, cor
responding in some respects with the COT
ice houses of San Francisco. It, was Sre-
Quenled much by printers, and ranked as
respectable place where parties could
ENJOY a game of cards or engage in social
conversation. Poe was a great favorite
with the old woman. His favorite seat
vas Just behind the stand, and about as
QWet ana sociable as an oyster himself
Iie went by the name OF Bard and when
parties came into the shop it was Bard
come and take hand in. this game.
Aenever the Widow Meagher met with
any accident or idea that tickied her fan
oN she would ask the Bard TO versify it.
Zoe always complied, writing many a wit
~ couplet and at times poems of some
Ensth. Ii was in this little shop that
roe attention was called 10 an advertise
lnehJ no a Philadelphia paper of prize
iol the best story. and it was there that
"e wrote his famous Gold Bug, which
canned off the S10O prize.
h1
"ftWeen Baltimore. Philadelphia and New
to'h. He had been away from Baltimore
~" 'nree or four months, when he turned
w. one evening the Widow Mesgher's.
" as mere when he came in. He pri-
1a,e told me that he had been 10 Rich
r'sa' and was on his way North to get
7'F Tor his wedding. 1t was drinking ali
..9UAo and repeat. until the crowd was
'lF Jolly. II was the night before cleo
uoh' ana four of us, including Poe, start
sa up town We had not gone half dozen
sualeS When we were nabbed by a gang
~ ''ien Who were on the lookout for voters
was the practice in those days to
- people, whether drunk or sober, lock
," up until the polls were opened, and
MY, march them around to every precinct,
""eIe they were made 10 vote the ticket
"' party that controlled the coop. Our
n, was IN the rear of an engine house
~ avert street 1t was part of the game
W.. upelN the prisoners with drugged liq-
tbi.. wen, the next day we were voted at
oge. different places, and over and
a. 1T being as much as a mans life
worm 10 rebel Poe was so badly
ed mat after he was carried on two
'!ree different rounds the gang said II
~ no use 10 vote dead man any longer
Inn, eS showed him into a cab and sent
Way ~ So hliN out u the
Pa, 4s commonly accepted theory that
1luu from dissipation is all bosh II
lT,5 uo'nlng Of the kind. He died from
for'[l5p 0m' or some other poison, chat was
49, upon him IN The coop. He was in
vot condition the while he was being
woi5 around the city. The story by Girls.
snro, VI Foes having been on a week $
( 20, ahd being picked up on the street,
n,,.sli ise' saw him showed into the Gao
riyed T. and he told me he had Just ar
WIKI ABOVE asrees in several respects
JusH.e account which the late Chief
he Nelson Poe Of Baltimore gave 10
that 7tnt writer 1t is painful to think
man Of Poes wonderful genius