Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-04-27
THE DEAD STUDENT.
Facts Preceding the Mysterious Death
Of Alfred Peterson,

IN the devotional exercises at the L.
ID. 5 university this morning, President
Paul stated that remarks would be made.
Dy those who knew him best at school,
concerning Alfred Peterson, the boy who
dIed IN the canyon about two months ago
ana whOse body was recently found. In
slructor Maeser, his teacher. first stated
Wnut ne knew OF the young man. He was
a quiet and attentive student. who had no
unprepGTed marks In his recltations
against his name on the rolbOOk. He
was nara worker who had lacked early
euucauOn, and was doing his utmost 10
gain knowledge
several times he had CONVEX sed with In
suuctor Maeser telling him Of his diff
nculueS IN his studies, ana of his ILL
health lie suffered considerably with
headaehe, and was out Of school occa-
slonally on that account. On the day
PRIOR TO his final disappearance, he had
stayed ont OF school one day but re-
turn n the following day. which wa, Fin.
uNy, with written excuse stating that
no had been unwell Friday evening he
went home and Just before supper went
out Tor Walk, His parents had advised
MN 70 walk out IN the evening, fOr the
dement, OF his health. before undertaking
his studies, ana hal also suggested that
he quit school and go TO work, for the
same reason. On this occasion ne went
out without Overcoat or oveTshOes, and
was not seen again. Mrs Shaw reported
HIS absence 10 his teacher. and the teach
ar made numerous inquiries. The class
was notified Of the boys mysterious dis
appear ce and tho police also were NJ
formed hut nothing was heard II him
again until his boz was found in city
OlCeK canyon
Tho preparatory class president. Mr..
Bullock. told what he knew OF student
PctC'son after which Pr,sll nj Paul stat
ed that he had learned that the young
man, besides being III, was dependent
and gloomy. lie wac very bushful es-
nrclally m the presence OF the lady stu
dents and was never known % ,pny at
tenli0n to any Of them. This fact was
learned from confidential conversational
with several of his associate students
young ladies' Of the same department. Tho
young man left home on the evening Of
Feb. % I'm an undecslye mood He
thought he would walk out for his health
He was feeling sick and discouraged lie
wrote a letter, which was afterwards
found In his pocket, stating that he was
In love, AMI the girl preferred another,
and that this 40 preyed upon his mind
that he would be I'm the asylum I'm a few
days This last statement Is the one that
reveals the real condition " the young
mans mind, He felt that his reason was
leaving hIm-that his mind was giving
way. The love trouble was purely
imaginary. He had never shown any nrof-
orence for one girl above another and
had never indicated by word or sign that
he was In love with any Of them The
speaker therefore hoped. II any OF the
students knew The person whose nQmo tho
young man had mCniane1 In his letter as
the cause 81 his desperation that they
would not reveal II, for tn whole Of this
love affalr was merely Il creation of us
own unbalanced Imagination. AS he walk
ed on. not caring whittier he went the
young man penetrated far Into the hills
II grew cold, but ne was respondent AID
discouraged. tie didn't care what he.
came n him. and he wandered on ana
on over the mountain until he fcl cN.
hausted and heuumled by the cold Of the
storm II Is most probable tina h, ~ 4
while IN this state Of delirIum, out of HIS
mind by reason Of the malay which af-
Glc'el him lie was not n sui lie In IN
ordinary sense: or II he dd Toxic his own
life II was simply because, IN his state
OF mind, ne was not RESPONSIBLE for what
No dld and scarcely knew wNlt hc vas
doing This said the speaker seems to
be- an that we cen learn concerning the
young man whose early death elicits our
sncerest regrets,
ono further seek HE merits TO disclose,
Nor irow his frailitios from their dread
abode.
There they alike in trembling hope re-
The bosom Of his Father and hts Cod"