The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-01
DR R. ]. HARGROVE
 KILLS HIMSELF Was One of iuScalooSa'S Most
 Prominent Men LEAVES NOTE TO WIFE Also Writes Coroner That He Was Responsible for His Own Death.
 Had Been in III Health. News of Tuscaloosa.
LEAVES NOTE TO WIFE

Tuscaloosa. August s1.-(special.) )-This entire community was shocked at the news last night Of the death of Dr. Rob ert Jemison Hargrove. which occurred at his plantation some time during the aft ernoon. Dr. Hargrove took his own life by the use of morphine and his dead body was discovered by a negro servant about dark.
 It seems that he was called to his plantation just about noon to visit a sick tenant and was driven out by the negro who came for him. He told the negro that he was first going up to his house at the plantation, a place always kept ready for occupancy, and that he would be back after a while.
 The negro waited for him until about dark and fearing something had hap pened, went up to the house to look for the doctor. No one responding to the knock, he opened the door and discovered his employers body lying full length in the hall and quite cold in death. He thereupon jumped into his buggy and brought the news to town as quickly as possible.
 A number of Dr. Hargrove's friends and relatives drove out to the plantation and his body was brought back to his home in the city. A cut over the forehead, which bled some, gave rise to the first report that death had come from a pistol shot, but it was later discovered that morphine was the cause, and that the gash on the forehead was due to fall, the head striking upon some tiny toy in the hall. The bed indicated that Dr. Hargrove had lain down for some time and evidently had attempted to walk to- ward the door when he fell.
 There were left note to the coroner and one to pr. Hargrove's wife, the for mer stating that his death was at his own hand. Dr. Hargrove was one of the best known and most popular citizens of this place. He was a son of the late Andrew Coleman Hargrove, one of the of his death, and Mrs. Hargrove, who was a Miss Cherokee Jemison, and member of distinguished family. She died few years ago.
 He was himself a man of many talents and possessed of a splendid mind. He was widely read and of unusual scholarly attainments, and a writer and converse tionalist of marked ability. He was a practicing physician, enjoying a good practice here and at the same time a man deeply interested in public affairs.
 His untimely death is deeply deplored by a host of friends here, and will go out as sad news to many over the state. He Is survived by his wife, who was Miss Louise Brown of Hattiesburg, Miss, and one son, aged about 4, Robert An drew; and one sister, Mrs. A. s. Van de Graaff, all of this city.
 The local paper here this morning con- tains the announcement of the formation of a new legal partnership here, this be- ing the firm of Somerville & Clarkson. Professor Ormond Somerville of the uni versity, the senior member, has resigned his position at the university and will run for the supreme bench at the ap- preaching election, but during the in terim will practice regularly in the city. MT. Edgar L. Clarkson, the junior mem- Der, is Capt. R. P. Hobson's secretary anu lldS pCcu lOCdlcQ iiCiC III lhC PidCliCe of law for several months. The firm will be an exceptionally strong one.
 Judge s. H. Sprott of the Sixth judicial circuit has appointed as court reporter for this circuit Oscar Prude, Jr., of this place. It will be remembered that law passed at the recent session of the legislature provided for the place of court reporter in. the several judicial cir cults of the state, and put the appoint ment in the hands of the presiding judges. Young MT. Prude, a son of Oscar Prude, Sr., of this place. is well equipped for the position, being stenographer and a lawyer of ability. Up until several months ago he practiced law in Missis- sippi, but later returned here, his former home. He is to enter upon his duties at once.
 Dr. Harold B. Lichtman, professor of mining engineering at the university, has returned from his vacation spent at his home in Marblehead, Mass, bringing with him Mrs. Iichtman, a bride of month or more. Mrs. Lichtman was 2 Miss Carrie Tucker, of Marblehead, and her marriage to MT. Lichtman occurred during his vacation spent at his home. Dr. and Mrs. Lichtman for the present have rooms with Dr. and Mrs. w. E. Bingham on Broad street.