The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-28
MYSTERY TN II.
Ryder Was Most Popular and Pros
porous.

Emporia. Kan. Nov. 28.-Charles
Ryder. the druggist whose suicide
caused such a sensation and surprise
here left a long note Of farewell for
his wife, and for his wife's mother,
and another for Mrs. North, the Wild
ow of his former partner. He left
also a sheet Of paper on which he had
written the dates Of his biography as
follows:
"All In"
This was scrawled in a later and
more nervous hand. at the top Of the
sheet. Under these words were writ
ten in Mr.. Ryder's angular hand this:
Charles Ryder.
Born September 28, 1850, at Ken
osha. Wis.
Game to Kansas on June I, 1864.
Have tried to make good and failed.
Forget and forgive. I believe
am crazy and have been 30 for
weeks" -
His note to his wife was pathetic,
and indicated that he was worrying
over money matters. though such a
worry was entirely unnecessary. His
partner. Mr.. Leatherberry. says that
the firm discounted it's bills every
month and was doing an excellent
business. Mr.. Ryder leaves eight or
ten thousand in life insurance.
He was not In his usual spirit at
the meeting of the White club Tues
day night, and had been absent
minded for several days. There can
be no doubt but that he has been
suffering intensely. DR.. Foncannon says
that Mr.. Ryder was a hero in bearing
pain, and that he went about his work
day after day bearing terrific pain
which would have put any other man
groaning to bed. He would not even
ask for treatment but bore 1t manfu1ly.
until the pain undermined his reason.
In the bathroom was found tub
half full of discolored water-red with
blood. The stopper of the bathtub was
out and a thick nucus in the tub had
stopped it up. A stick lying nearby
had been used in trying vainly to get
the tub emptied. In the tub were two
safety razor blades.
Mr.. Leatherberry said that all day
Monday Mr.. Ryder sat in his office
writing. He seemed to be composing
some lengthy article. 1t was unusual
for him to write this way, as he usually
scrubbed what he had to write on a
tablet and then had it copied in long
hand or on q typewriter. The writing
probably was the notes found last
night.
Mr.. Ryder had no reason to worry
over financial matters as his affairs
are In splendid shape. He had just CIV
en- two or three months to the public
service and had been largely instru-
mental in getting the Home Products
show on its feet. Last month at the
banquet given for him he heard the
praise of his neighbors and friends
with modest and becoming dignity. A
number Of business men had asked him
to run for mayor and there is no doubt
but that he could have had the may
or's office without opposition IL he had
cared to run.
Editorially. the Gazette says:
Each heart knoweth its own sadness
How few Emporia people seeing
Charles Ryder going about the streets
day after day. chereful. kind, gentle
and modest, would have guessed that
the canker of incipient insanity was
in his blood. that he was enduring
agonies of pain. and that he was hold
ing to his reason with all his might
ut will be sad Thanksgiving for
thousands of people in Emporia today
who have known Charles Ryder. boy
and man, for fifty years. As a friend
he was dear to hundreds, and he had
no enemies. No man on Commercial
street was more respected. He is the
only man for whom the town ever has
given a banquet. He made good az a
business man, and as n public spirited
citizen. He had everything in the
way Of respect and commendation of
| his fellows that q man could wish.
Yet the body Is q strange thing.
| 1t was crumbling-giving away in
side. and in giving away the tissues
of the brain were affected and he
imagined vain thingn' Poor. kind.
modest. sky. sensitive Charles Ryder,
whom hundreds loved and every one
admired"