The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-04-22
MAN WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE
HAD WEARIED OF WAITING
FOR WORDS OF CHEER.
WITH A PRAYER BOOK IN HAND
Father Writes Regrets and Advice to
His Children, Reads the Psalms and
Then Hurls Himself Into the I'm
known-Had Been a Christian and
Trusted and Respected Employe.

Had Fred A. Russell stayed self
destruction few hours he would have
received the long-looked for letter from
his wife and family in Scotland, and he
would have been alive today instead of
his body reposing on a marble slab In
the morgue.
The letter which he looked for from his
wife not only contained words of rebuke
forgiveness and sympathy, but contained
foreign postal order for f2.
Russell was found dead in his room at
the home of John r. Blue, No. 1907 JEFF
ferson street, at 6 o'clock yesterday even
dng. 1t is the opinion of Coroner John
son that Russell destroyed himself
There are other evidences which tend to
bear out the belief that Russell commit
ted suicide, for addressed to his wife,
Mrs Helen Russell at Barker, Irvine,
Scotland, the following letter, the con-
tents of which are directed to his children
was found upon the table of the room in
which the lifeless body of Russell was
found last evening:
Talks From the Grave.
''My Dear Chidren-I write to say
goodbye and to ask you to forgive me
Tor the awful deed am about to commit.
l cannot steal or beg and am unable to
obtain work and am starved. 1t is sad
to think Of. Had l been given a little
affection and few pounds (sterling) my
life would have been saved These, how
ever, had been denied me. Live and stick
by each other through life, and try to
think kindly of your loving and affection
ate father"
The letter Is dated last Saturday. Rus
sell was last seen alive Saturday That
was when Annie Larsen, a domestic at
the Blue home, went to the room on the
second floor to rearrange the bed.
It is believed that Russell died either
Sunday morning or sometime yesterday.
He was seen Saturday afternoon.
The letter from his wife, which he had
been expecting for a month, arrived yes
terday afternoon and Mr.. Blue went to
RusselFs room to deliver 1t to him, and
found him dead.
The letter from Russells wife was
opened by Coroner Johnson and 1t con-
tained a money order from the Glasgow
(Scotland) postofIlce for G2, something
less than $40.
Wife Was Estranged.
Tt Is evident from the tone of Mrs. Rus
sells letter that she and her husband had
been estranged for about II years. She
rebukes him bitterly for his insobriety
and his neglect of her and his children,
but before closing the letter she forgives
him and offers words OF encouragement.
Mrs. Russell opened her letter like this:
Dear Fred-Am / a dog that you are
at liberty to kick and spurn me one min
ute and then expect me to lick your hand
when you choose to beckon me?"
The wife closes her letter as follows:
la, ,;,.o tea
you were sober you were dear, good
husband, and I forgive you. Your chill
dren and myself hope and pray that you
may yet be reclaimed.
(Signed), HELEN"
Letter Came Too Late.
Had the letter reached Russell Sunday
he would, perhaps, have taken cheer. 1t
Is evident from the tone of the letter left
by him that the money order would have
been thankfully received and the words
of rebuke would have been more than
offset by those of encouragement.
An inquest will be held over the body
of Russell at the rooms of the Montana
Undertaking company this evening when
the facts concerning the death will be
brought out.
Russell left no property. Coroner
Johnson will probably turn the money
order over to help pay funeral expenses.
No weapon or phial containing poison
was found in Russell's room and 1t Is
mystery what means he used to do
away with himself, but this will likely
be determined at the inquest
Plenty to Eat.
His statements that he was starving
are not borne out, for he "bached" in
the room and a supply of provisions were
found there last evening by Policeman
McGillic, who was first to enter the
room after police headquarters had been
notified by Mr.. Blue.
Russell came to Butte from Helena
about three years ago. He was former
ly employed in the land department OF
the Northern Pacific raiload. Among
his personal effects was found letter
Continued on Page Three.)