The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1908-07-29
Lawyer HOLT DIES o.
MORPHINE OVERDOSE,
WIIe Would Not Return
10 Hin.
READ HIS bible, PRAYED AND WROTE LONG
LETTER 10 HIS WIFE.
At One Time Pastor Of Trinity N
z. Church, Point Pleasant


reconciliation could be effected be-
tween himself and wife. Shortly
before 8 O'Clock this morning
friends of the dead attorney found
a five.page letter in his room at
the homo of his half.bTother, j.
Howard Holt. written to Mrs. Holt,
evidently in answer to her Eefusal
to consider a reconciliation for
which Holt pleaded through the
good offices Of friend.
In hiS parting letter Mr.. Holt
told his wife that she was the only
woman he ever loved and over
could love, and that since she had
refused to assume domestic Tela-
tions, there was nothing moro in
life for him. The letter 10 full OF
fervent expressions of affection and
was seemingly written with much
anguiSh.
William j. Holt, prominent law
yer and court stenographef of the
Marshall county circuit court at
Moundsville, died at his office at
lilo O'Clock this morning from an
overdose of morphine. The death
of Mr.. Holt under the oiToumstan.
oes named caused somewhat of a
sensation in the county seat OF
Marshall county from the fact that
many are of the opinion that it
was CASE of suicide. The theory
is based on the rather peculiar way
in which Dtr. Holt spent the after.
noon prior to going to his office.
It is said that he INDUCED in read.
ing the Bible, praying, and lastly
in writing a long letter, pausiug at
times aud sobbing bitterly when
he seemed deeply overcome with
grief. 1t is supposed that the let
ter was written to his wife, but as
it was evidently mailed late in the
afternoon this will probably not be
known definitely until today.
Mr.. Holt had been in his office
on Seventh Street. since 5 O'Clock
in the evening. Dozens who passed
by cav him sitting in a chair near
the window with his head back
and eyes closed and they supposed
he was merely sleeping a natural
sleep. 1t was about Z O'Clock when
r. j. MoFadden and James Stew.
art, who had taken notice of him
severed times that evening sitting
in the one position, concluded to
make an examination and see
whether or not there was anything
siling him. They were consider
ably shocked when they found
that he was in stupor from which
they were unable to arouse him.
They Immediately gave the alarm
and s. Howe Bonar, who happened
along at tho time. at onCe called
DR.. Hall, whose office was just
aoEoss the street. In few min
uteB q large crowd had oonRrega.
ted in front of the office and sew
eral physioianS were working on
the case.
ADDICTED TO oPIATEs.
That he had been addicted to the
use of opiatss for some time, there
can be little doubt. But it is a
question whether he took the drug
last evening with suicidal intent,
or unintentionally took an over.
dose. He had been about town all
week and his habits and disposi.
tions appeared about az usual' AZ
no como down Seventh street to
the court house about four O'Clock
Wednesday afternoon, 1t was no.
tioed that he staggered as though
intoxicated. He went into the
circuit court room. whore he re.
manned with circuit clerk Victor
E MyTeS until Ave O'Clock, when
he left tho building and walked
ACROSS the street to Beam & loves
pharmacy, where he drank a glass
of soda water after which he went
to his office.
Worry over domestic and busi-
ness difficulties is thought to have
been largely responsible for Mr.
Holt indulging, as he did, in strong
stimulantS and soothing opiates.
he and hiO wife became estranged
more than year ago and suit
for divorce entered by the latter
several months ago lie still pending,
They have not lived together sinoe
early last spring, during which
time Mr.. Holt has been residing