The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-24
PERSONS MISSING
SEVERAL DAYS
IFFT NOTE DECLARING
WAS GOING TO DROWN HIM
SELF, BUT BODY HAS NOT BEEN
FOUND.

,,er r. Persons, of Eastman, Ga,
1T Note in Room at Pulaski
uouse Last Tuesday, Stating His
ptstol would Not Work and He
was Going to Drown Himself-NO
trace of Him Can BE Found and
His Relatives Are Very Much Con-
osrned-Suicide Is Doubted.
leaving note in his room at the
pulaski House stating that he was
ooing to drown himself in the river,
lanes I. Persons, of Eastman, has
,,vsreriously disappeared and no trace
If him can be found.
The man was last seen last Sunday
night. when he registered at the hotel,
though the note which he left was writ
ten Tuesday. Whether he killed him
eeIf as he threatened, or has gone
away after writing the notes, has not
been discovered, though the officers are
inclined to think he did not drown
himself, as the body would have been
recovered before this. they say.
A search of his room was made yes
terday morning, and two letters were
found. One was addressed to his
mother, Mrs. G. w. Persons, Flovilla,
Ca. and was stamped. The other was
addressed to Mr.. Charles F. Graham,
the proprietor of the hotel. or to the
chief of police.
Letters Were Rather Queer.
Both letters were written on the ho-
tel paper. The one directed to Mr..
Graham or the chief of police had on
the letter head side of the paper the
following note:
ITO Him Who Finds My Body: In
my pocket you will find money to pay
my board, $4. Wire E. E. Persons, at
Eastman, Ga, and G. w. Persons, at
Flovilla, Ga. Wire collect.
James T. Persons, Eastman, Ca"
This note had been scratched through
about a dozen times with pen and on
the other side of the paper was writ
ten the following: $50 o'clock. Police:
This trigger will not pull. So three
hours have elapsed in fruitless efforts.
leave for the wharf. Into the river
We both will go in half an hour.
Drowning. How I dread it! But moth
ing else Will suffice. Drag deep and
you will find my body. When found,
send to Mrs. G. w. Persons. Flovilla,
Ga Butts county. Wire her imme-
diately upon finding this letter. Also
mail one beside this. All debts will be
paid by my parents.
James T. Persons.
Room 70. Pulaski House, Savannah,
Ga"
The letter to his mother was mailed.
The two brothers mentioned were both
wired and one of them E. E. Persons
of Eastman, accompanied by G. w.
Sharp a friend, arrived early last
night
No Reason for Suicide.
81 know of no reason in the world
why he should have done it," said the
brother last night. II don't even
know whether to believe he has killed
himself or not. If there had been any
reason for his doing such y thing, 1
would have known about it. And there
was absolutely none-
He came down here just for a few
days vacation. He was we'll and in
good spirits. Mr.. Sharp here had been
rooming with Jim for about a year,
and he would have known of any
trouble, if he had had any. l don't
know what to think.
Mr.. Sharp said also that he could
Imagine no reason for such an act.
Both gentlemen stated positively that
Persons had been in no trouble of any
kind.
Where the Doubt Arises.
Those who ought to know say If Per-
sons had drowned himself Tuesday
night the body would have floated be-
fore this. The fact that Persons was
a drug clerk and knew just what
poison would produce an easy death
leads some to the opinion that he
would not have drowned himself,
dreading it, as he stated in the note.
Absolutely no trace of him can be
found, however. He registered at the
Pulaski House early Sunday night, in
time for supper. There was a rush
at the hotel at the time, and no par
tlcular attention was paid to the Wis
ltor by Mr.. johnson, the clerk who
was on duty. He was given room "a,
and except at supper, few minutes
later, no one has seen him since.
Wednesday, morning Mr.. Keane sent
10 the room to see if it was still oc-
rupled. The bell boy reported that
pne baggage was still in the room, and
notnlng more was thought about it.
yesterday morning the letters were
discovered on the bureau and an in
NeSugatlon was started at once.
Police Could Do Nothing.
The police were notified and Detec-
i've Wall was detailed on the case.
NO one about the hotel could be found
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