The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-02

(Havana Post. October 49,
Never since the arrival OF the
American army of occupation In CUBA
has II received such a as the one
of Yesterday when the sad announce
ment was made that Major Matt r.
Peterson had died OF yellow fever.
coupled with the sad story OF how his
wife who whe b heard or her hus-
bands death, unable to stand the
! shock, had committed suicide
Major Peterson was taken sick at his
home in Vedado on h 10th or Octo-
Der and at his request was 10 to
Las Animas hospital for treatment
His case was diagnosed on h 11th and
pronounced as a serious case Of yellow
fever. One of the first things done
when the announcement OF yellow
fever was made was TO cable Mrs.
| Peterson, who was with her parents in
Cincinnati
Mrs. Peterson left at once for Hava-
ma She came by way OF Tampa
| and arrived here Monday morning.
She went a. once to the hospital where
Major GorgaS assigned her a sleeping
4 room IN the nurse Quarters dIO NIICu
| commanded a view OF the room where
her husband lay stricken OF the dread
| disease. Mrs. Peterson was with her
husband almost constantly.
On Wednesday afternoon, when his
condition was UGH as to deny all hope
of his recovery, Mrs. Peterson heard
the statement of the doctor, and while
h was greatly shocked, h seemed
to bear up bravely, and Major Gorgas.
who was with Major Peterson almost
constantly, hoped n would survive
the sad news.
AT about Z O'Clock in the evening the
majors condition was such as to make
it almost certain hat he would not
live. At this time Mrs. Peterson ap-
peared to be greatly affected, and
Major Gorgas states that she suffered
great agony. During the last few
hours in which he lived Mrs. Peter
on's mind seemed to be crazed by not
ing the great suffering of her husband
and would talk with Major and Mrs.
GorgaS in a peculiar strain. 1t was
plain to see that the shock to her was
almost greater than she could bear.
Major Peterson passed away at
about 9 O'Clock. Major Gorgas states
that after Major Peterson died Mrs.
Peterson, while she was greatly affect
ed, gave signs of composure later on.
Mrs. Gorgas was with, her and some lit
tie time after the death of her husband
occurred, Mrs. Peterson asked to go to
her room. She was, however, anxious
to know what disposition would be
made of her remains and
inquired of Major Gorgas who would
accompany her to the steamer when
she sailed for home, now that her nus
band was dead. Similar questions
were asked and answered and as she
left to go to her room h said to Major
GorgaS:
Now, Major, 1 wish you would see
that when / go to my room 1 will be left
alone. / want to be quiet and do o
let any Of the nurses come to my room.
Some of them may want to come to ex-
press their sympathy, but 1 would
rather be left alone"
This said h went to her room. 1t
Was not long before Mrs. Gorgas went
to see her and found her seated in her
room apparently composed, but, with
the look of great mental pain in her
face. She stated that she did not care
for anything and repeated her request
to be left alone. Major and Mrs. Cor
gas then left the hospital for their
home.
Mrs. McManus, the chief nurse Of the
hospital, was the last to see Mrs. Peter
son alive. She went to her room short
~ after Major and Mrs. Gorgas retir-
ed and found Mrs. Peterson making
preparations to retire. The last words
vs. l. LII 4 L ID see
that 1 am left to myself"
Mrs. McManus states that when she
retired from the room she told Mrs.
Peterson that she would see hat she
was not disturbed, but that if she
wanted anything during the night she
should make herself heard by knock
ing on the wall. The chief nurse had
left the room but a few moments when
she heard the report of an explosion or
some kind in the direction of the room
occupied by Mrs. Peterson She rush.
ed to the door of the rom but it vas
locked A man was sent for and the
two broke open the door.
AS the o was forced open every
thing appeared to be in perfect order
and 1T was not until they had advanced
to where the bed was that they had any
idea of the sad tragedy which had oc-
CURED. Lying on the bed apparently
aSleep with a small 32-calibre pistol in
her hand was Mrs. Peterson. She was
still breathing heavily, but there were
only a few gasps for breath after the
two arrived in the Dom.
Major Gorgas was at once rent for
and arrived at the hospital at a little
before Il o'clock. He Immediately
went to the room where the tragedy
occurred and at once m the
body. The oma had been dead for
some time, but her body remained in
the same position in which it a been
found. Mrs. Peterson had retired and
had lowered the bars around the bed.
The body rested partly on it's hide with
the left hand on the breast and the
right hand, which still held the pistol,
resting at the side.
From all appearances she had taken
fthe pistol from her trunk and had shot
herself shortly after she had lain down.
The ball entered the right temple. 1t
was evident that she had steadied the
barrel of the pistol against her head
while she pulled the trigger, as her left
hand showed that it had been burned
by powder.
When Colonel Scott arrived at the
palace yesterday and heard of the sad
death and tragedy. he at once issued
an order, directed to the leads of all
departments, that all government bus
mess be suspended and the flag placed
at haifmast. The order was immedi-
ately placed in effect and all of the de-
partments were closed for the day.
There is not an American army Off
\ car in Cuba Uhn uac hold sn hfobor o.