The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-10
CREPT OFF TO DIE
The Suicide of an Old Con-
federate Solder.
Le1y2s Letter That Tells Sad Story Of Vain
Struggles Against Adverse Circum-
sfancpR
Especial to News and observer)

Especial to News and Observer
High Point, June ga one-legged Con
federate soldier Cabout So or go years old
was found dead here yesterday afternoon
in a small thicket in rayine about three
quarters Of mile from the business por-
ton of the town. He died within
the sound of church bells and the help of
a Christian people which would have been
his if the matter had been known, but
he chose an unfrequented spot where, for
eight days the body lay and but
for Mr.. Eugene Andrews, of this
place, who was passing that way on
sunday afternoon stroll through the
woods he would probably not have been
discovered for several more days. Chef
of Police Gray was soon notified, who,
with County Commissioner w. H. Raglan
and DR.. w. j. McAnally FASTENED to the
place. They found the unfortunate man
lying in a natural position as IN sleep.
Beside him was his valise, on top OF 1t
was two one-ounce bottles of laudanum,
one empty and the other half empty
showing that one and one-haf ounces
had been taken Inside the va
Use was coat, change of under
clothing. United States Railway
blank and an empty baking powder box
containing the following sad letter which
tells too truly Of the trouble that preyed
on his mind and caused him to take his
own life. 1t is as follows:
'"To my children, 7. L. Mann and L. J.
Parsons. Having been disappointed IL
everything on earth / now commend my
soul to God. I have tried to get work
and failed. l went to the Soldiers Home
and failed to get in and came back to
High Point to try for a job When 1
offered to pay my hotel bill this morning
found that my pocket book containing
about $50 had been taken from my pocket.
cannot get work, to beg I am ashamed,
neither can / afford to live ON the charity
Of nv children. sold my watch for
50 so to get money to pay my hotel bill.
I owe no man a cent as far as / know OF
am now about to take a fatal dose Of
laudanum / guess I am somewhat de-
mented May God have mercy on my
soul and may He protect and preserve my
children and guide them into the Heaven
Of eternal rest
"Affectionately,
I'D, A. MUM.
"May 30th, 1908"
1t appears that T. L. Mum is his son
and L. J. Parsons married daughter
The letter was in an unsealed envelope and
was addressed to Mr.. T. L. Mum, Noll,
n. c. The place is in Montgomery cOun-
ty. and is off the railroad. Owing to the
Aberdeen and West End railroad obseTv-
ing Sunday. no message could be gotten
to a nearby town The man had set
Of false teeth, which had fallen from his
mouth to the ground. His hair was grey
The laudanum was purchased from Mr.
w. A. Ring, druggist, of this place, as the
label on the bottle showed.
The unfortunate man went into tho
iewelry store OF w P. WEIGH to sell the
watch he refers to and on being told that
he was not in said, "Pshaw," in a dis
couraged tone Of voice and went out. He
also tried to sell the watch at the jewelry
establishment of A. P. Staley and on
dilgent inquiry l cannot find out the
hotel or boarding house at which the man
stopped, He was rather neatly dressed
and of medium statue.
County Commissioner w. II. Ragan,
after reviewing the remains and reading
the letter said it was no use to hold an
inquest and directed Undertaken J. W..
Sechrest to take charge of the remains
and gave it decent burial.