Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-20
! X. BasSett Of Denver, Colo,
Died from Effects Of Drug
Last Evening
MAY Be A CASE OF SUICIDE.
Left Note Stating that He Desired His
Remains to be Cremated in
Case OF Death,

What Is believed to be another case
OF suicide occurred In this city yester-
day, the victim being j, Il. Bassett,
president of the Irrigation, Mining and
Land company Of Denver, Colo. He
died Mt his room at IA west Third
South street. last night at $3.50 o'clock
as the result OF an overdose Of NOR
phine
Mr.. Bassett came TO Salt Lake about
n month ago as n representative OF the
above named company. since which
time he has been endeavorlng TO dis
pose OF certain mining and irrigation
interests, but his efforts have been un-
successful, and 1t is evident he was
in Strengthened circumstances, as no
money or valuables were found on his
person or in his room. Shortly after
reaching this city he rented a private
room, telling his landlady that his rest
was easily disturbed, and that he de-
sired to be as quiet as possible.
As he slept later than usual yester-
day morning, about 10 o'clock the gem
tleman OF the house went into HIS room
TO enquire II all was right, and en-
deavored to wake Mr. Russell but he
was apparently In sound sleep, only
muttering an answer in mono-sylables.
Thinking his slumbers were normal, he
was left alone. But at o'clock. the
man falling to make his appearance,
his room was again visited. This time
II was evident he was I'm q profound
stupor, and, thoroughly alarmed the
landlady summoned Drs. c. T, Odell
and c. G. snyder, who Immediately
commenced work over the man and
kept up their efforts till the time Of his
death. The physicians are OF opinion
that the drug must have been taken
early in the morning. but OF course
We're not able to say whether with
suicidal intent or not, An empty NOR
phine box found In the room bore tes-
tlmony as TO the nature of the drug
used. II is thought by some the de-
ceased had been addicted to the NOR
phine habit, and that an overdose had
been accidentally taken, but the con-
sensus Of opinion Is that the poison was
taken Intentionally,
Among his effects discovered when
the room was searched was the fol-
lowing letter. indicating the disposition
he wished made Of his remains;
ITO Whom 1t May Concern;
I'm case of death ] Wish to be placed
" pine casket, and II out OF Denver
my remains to be expressed TO Denver
aud transported only IN an express
wagon to the crematory, and for ex-
penses notify Royal Arcanium lodge
No. 757, South Acton, Mass. BY me as
my last request.
(Sgned) ~ r. BASSETT."
Another letter written since he came
to Salt Lake was also found referring
to the above, and stating he desired
the provisions thereof carried out. He
also mentioned marks on one Of his
thumbs and an artificial eye as points
OF Identification
The dead man was about so years Of
age, but nothing Is known here OF his
past life or of his relatives. further than
that he occasionally referred to
daughter residing In Denver. After an
inquest has been held his remains will
probably be shipped to Denver, and
his body cremated. agreeable to the re-
quest expressed In his letter.