The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-05-12
LETTER GIVES
 DETAILS ABOUT
 D0CTOR'SDEATH

wv VII O UAx II
 Last evening there was received a letter from the Koyukuk giving the details of the death of Dr. c. E. Dan. forth, whose passing away was men, toned in a telegram received a few day ago. Written by close asso- ciate of Dr. Danforth all particulars are mentioned. The portion of the letter relating to the death follows:
 About 3:30 p. m. Sunday. April 9th. suspicion was aroused concern. ing the doctor who had not been seen up to that time during the day. On the night of the 5th there had been a light fall of snow and there were no tracks showing in nor out of hi place. Mir. Rod Morrison was the first to notice in passing the doctors office that there was no smoke nor signs of life. He tried the door which was locked and received no response. Commissioner Wright and myself were immediately notified. We were able to enter by the use of a pass key and there found one of the most gruesome sights that ever witnes. sed. The walls were spattered with blood and the doctor lying dead in bed with bullet wound through his heart and his body covered with blood-the bullet had passed through his body coming out just below the right lunS-a Colts automatic 32 caliber revolver was lying on the floor beside the bed which told the story. A coroner's jury was sum- moned and inquest held. the jury . verdict of suicide. From the evidence obtained 1t was a pre- meditated act. He had laid out cloth, ing presumably for burial purposes. and also made ou his will the day be. fore committing the act which reads as follows:
 "'4.4-19.
 Whatever residue there may be left of my estate after all bills are paid will go to my ex-wife. Mrs. A. Belle Danforth, Berkeley Heights. Berkeley, Calif.. if she be living. if not then to my two sons. Roy H. and Harold F Danforth. share and share alike Address Roy H. Danforth with the Oakland Tribune" Oakland, Cal. There are no debts that I know of. hereby appoint E. D. Heppenstall exe- cutor of this my last will and testa- ment.
 "'C. p. DANFORTH.'
 There has been no evidence found giving any reasons for committing such . rash act. The doctor had been in his usual good spirits until the last mail was received here, March s1st. Since then until the time of his death he has showed signs of ner. vousness and acted as though he was grief stricken and was very melan- choly It is presumed that he receiv. cd news in said mail which caused him to commit such a desperate act.
 "Mr. H. J. Wempe was the last person to see the doctor alive. On the eve of the 9th MT. Wempe made 3 social call on the doctor and visit. ed with him about an hour, leaving his place about g o'clock. MT. Wempe says that the doctor had very little to say, he acted very nervous and looked fatigued. He remarked when Wempe was leaving that he was tired nAu tAOo6uS A0 WOu40 SV1A HI oOOus There were other residents passed his place later on the same date br here was no light seen during the night.
 Clarence E. Danforth. N. D.. was born at Hudson. Ohio. March 18th. 1856. He first came to Rampant, AL aska. Sept. 21st. 1898. and has resid. ed in Alaska ever since. He came to Wiseman Sept. 18th. 1914. He| was a member of Tuba Lodge No. 3S, ?. & A. M.. Marysville, Calif. He was also a member of Igloo No. 8. Pio- ,eers of Alaska. at Wiseman. at the lime of his death and for two years previous he held the office as secre. | ,ary and treasurer of said order. He vas also postmaster of the Nolan post office. and the only physician md surgeon of the precinct. He will ,e missed very much in more ways han one with the grief stricken resi-. lents of our little community.
 "The funeral services were ar.