Semi=weekly graphic., 1899-08-12
]. L. REEVES, THE MAN WIT H A HOLE IN HIS THROAT
 HAD A RELATIVE
SHE WRITES A LETTER
To the Editor of the Graphic Telling of the Poor Fellows Downfall
 Cigarettes the Cause.

Our readers will remember the substance of several items publish ed during the past two weeks in the Graphic about J. |. Reeves, a white man who was "taken ine by our po- lice and cared for owing to his ina- bility to do SC himself. They will also remember how the unfortunate man was afflicted. With the aid of a glass tube, which had been placed in his throat, after an operation, only could he speak. He cut open his throat while here and took the tube, which he claimed pained him, therefrom.
 He begged the police, who had him in charge, to send him to Hot Springs. He was sent over to that city on an excursion, and after ar- riving there committed suicide by putting his brains out against brick wall. An inquiry was made but no relatives of the poor fellow could be found and he was buried in the potter's field.
 Monday afternoon the editor of the Graphic received a communiea. tion from His Sister, as the writ CT signed it, and it is a lesson which all young men shonId thoroughly study and be benefited by it. It reads as follows:
 BELLE HELENE, LA, Aug. 6, 1899. To the Editor of the Graphic, Pine Bluff Ark.
 Dear Sir:-It is with great sorrow peruse the lines under heading of "Pitifal Case and write to thank you for whatever part you may have taken in affording the poor unfortu- nate fellow even momentary relief, and 1 cannot refrain from telling you something of the cause of the trou bic
 His death at distance and among strangers in such a tragic manner unnerVes me and makes me regret that 1 did not bear with him, though his leaving me was purely voluntary and took place not more than eight months ago. Cigarettes was the main cause of his trouble, previous to the operation. and led to it by stricIure of the larynX and was per- formed by Drs A. T. Mitchell and Waldauer of Vicksburg, Miss
 Alter the operation he gave prom ise of leaving his bad habits in the past altogether, after having been nursed back to life, you might say. with all the care that could be be- stowtd by his mother and sister He kept his resolutions maybe thrt months aud then began drinking again. He continued against the protest of all, against the doctors orders and his own knowledge and better judgment. This course he pursued ever a year; the incisIOn ln his throat having been made Dec. 1897. Our mother died purely of broken heart last September, and after that time he pursued his course so uni elentingly that I was compell- ed to ask a cessation in his drinking or that he make his home elsew here.
 tie chose the latter without hesi- ton and left, as I thought only tenn porarily, but have not seen nor heard direct from him since. To my knowledge though he spent some time in Natchez, Miss, and l think short while in Baton Rouge. That is the extent of my information in regard to his movements until his arrival in your city, when 1 heard through q friend of his pr senee there.
 He was born in Montgomery. Ala, Aug. 10. 1873 lived several years in Birmingham, where he was married, His wife is living, also a baby, or boy should say, six years of age. but on account of his habits he had not lived with them for four or five years. During that time he lived principally in Yicksburg, only con- ing to Louisiana since my removal here a little over year ago.
 He started in life with bright pros poets and great promise, but whisky and cigarettes made the wreck to great extent. He was sent from Yicksburg to pr. Joacquin for treatment in 1898. stayed a few days.