The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-07-23
A Former Resident of West
Milford Takes His
Own Life.
GRlEvED FOR HIS WIFE
Who Had Left Him and Brought
a Suit for Divorce
from Him.

William j. Holt, prominent lawyer
and court stenographer of the
Marshall county circuit court at
Moundsyille, born and reared at
West Milford, this county. died at
his office in that city at 1910 O'Clock
Thursday morning from an overdose
OF morphine. The death of Mr. Holt
under the circumstances named caus-
ed somewhat of sensation in the
county seat of Marshall county from
the fact that many are of the opin-
ion that 1t was case of suicide. The
theory is based on a rather peculiar
way in which Mr.. Holt spent the af-
ternoon prior 10 going to his Office.
1t is said that he INDUCED in reading
the Bible, praying and lastly,in writ
ing a long letetr, pausing at times
and sobbing bitetrly when he seemed
deeply overcome with grief. 1t is
supposed that the letter was written
to his wife, but as 1t was evidently
mailed late in the afternoon this will
probably not be known definitely un-
til today.
Mr.. Holt had been in his office on
Seventh street, opposite the Marshall
county bank, since 5 o'clock in the
evening. Dozens who passed by
saw him sitting in chair near the
window with his head back and eyes
closed and they supposed he was
merely sleeping a natural sleep. 1t
was about o'clock when R. j. Nc
Fadden and James Stewart. who had
taken notice of him several times
that evening sitting in the one posi-
ton, concluded to make an examina-
ton and see whether or not there
was anything ailing him. They were
considerably 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 hap
pened along at the time, at once call
ed DR.. Hall, whose Office was just
across the street. In a few minutes
a large crowd had congregated in
front of the office and several physi-
clans were working on the case.
Addicted to Opiates.
That he had been addicted to the
use of opiates for some time, there
can be little doubt. But it is ques-
ton whether he took the drug We'd
nesday evening with suicidal intent
or unintentionally took an overdose
He had been about the town all week
and his habits and disposition appear
ed to be about as usual. AS he went
down Seventh street to the court
house about 4 o'clock Wednesday af-
ternoon, it was noticed that he
staggered as though intoxicated. He
went into the circuit court room,
where he remained with Circuit Clerk
Victor f. Myres until 5 o'clock, when
he left the building and walked
across the street to Beam & Loves
pharmacy, where he drank glass of
soda water after which he went to
his office.
Worry over domestic and business
difficulties is thought to have been
largely responsible for MIR. Holt in
dulgiRg, as he did, in strong stimu-
lants and soothing opiates. He and
his wife became estranged more than
n year ago and a suit for divorce en-
tered by the latter several months
ago is still pending. They have not
lived together since early last spring.
during which time Mr.. Holt has been
residing with his brother. j. Howard
Holt, who is one of the leading at
torneys of Moundsville. j. Howard
Holt was at Cadiz, o., Wednesday
and telegram was sent to him. noti-
flying him of his brothers condition.
Letter to Wife.
Shortly before 3 O'Clock Thursday
morning friends of the dead attor-
ney found a five-page letter in his
room. written to Mrs. Holt. evident
ly in answer to her refusal to con-
slider a reconciliation for which Holt
pleaded through the good offices OF
a friend.
In his parting letter Mr.. Holt told
his wife that she was the only woman
he ever loved and ever could love, and
that since she had refused to resume
domestic relations, there was nothing
more in life for him. The letter is
full CT fervent expressions of affec-
tion. and was seemingly written with
much anguish.
A Former Minister.
Attorney Holt was formerly a
Methodist minister and was for many
years engaged in church work in the
interior Of the state. He went tt