The Warwickshire Herald. — 1892-09-29 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE OF MR. DESON  The mysterimie death of Miss Ruby Ilitssell has been followed by a startling sequel in the suiehle, on Sunday, of Mr. Alexander Woodburn lb rm. Overcome by the awful character of the suspieions surrounding him, Mr. Hymn seems to have deliberately resolved on self-dtruction. He left the Felham-roail Mortuary after the inquest lm "Robe Russell" about a quarter past -three o'clock. Late on Saturday nieht. he pre. sewed himself at the Craven 11010, Cravim. Mreet, Strand, and engaged a thirddloer Welt bedroom. He gave his name and immediately retired. Circumstances seem to indicate that he slept little during the night. Ile was bean' ming alma in the morning, but he did not ceine down to Ineakfast. Then all became quiet, and no movement being heard in the room, and the day wearing on, a servant knocked at his door. No &newer was given. The matter was reported downstairs to the teenager, and after some further vain attempts to arouse him it was decided to force his locked door. A terrible spectacle net the eyes of the hotel people. The room bore evidence of the cool, methodical manner in which the unfortunate man had taken steps to end his life. He was lying on some sleets, which were saturated with the blood that had flowed from a wound in the left side of the throat. The rezor with which be had effected his purpose was I:, ing by his side. An empty bottle, which on examination was found to have contained morphine, was in the room, and near it was a saucer, wjth the dregs of the fluid in it. A considerable time most have elapsed between the execution of the deed and the discovery of the body. On searehieg the clothes of the deceased the police found in one of the pockets a number of visiting cards, which left no room for doubt as to his identity. They bore the inscription, "A. Woodburn Heron, lI.M. Colonial Medical Service." Several papers were also found, and among these was a letter, about which there has been much speculation. It was in Mr. Heron's handwriting, and was addressed to a gentleman whose na has not vet transpired. 'That Mr. Heron has in this document stated the reasons that led him to take his life is probable, but there appears to be no foundation for the suggestion that it is anything in the nature of a confession of complicity in the death of the girl "Ruby Russell." The letter was taken possession of by the police, and its contents have no far been kept secret. It was despatched to whom It was addressed, with an intimation that he would be required, as the last person with whom the deceased held communication, to give evidence at the inquest and to produce the letter if neceseery. A newspaper was found is the room on which the deceased had, evidently in his last moments, written words expressing his love for the dead girl, "Ruby Russell," and hoping they would soon be together again. This and all other papers found in the room have been seized by the police.  Later information indicates that Mr. Heron took a considerable quantity of morphine with the intention of killing himself, and did not sever the jugular vein until some hours afterwards. On the liargin of a newspaper which was found by him were written in pencil some words addressed to a person who at present is not known in connection With this sensational case. This writing coinsilences, "Dear Dolly," and proceeds, it is statce, as follows :—" Impress on all our friends how ttrictly I avoid all spirituous liquors. Good-bye. Goodbye, Dolly. Ruby and I will soon meet now, Dolly, if people do meet there." Then there is the date, "Soptendier 251 h, 1C22." in another place on the pavi there is tho foflooing,"lt seems very slow. Why, it is act,ally 2.15 a.m." Then again he wiitesi "Fancy, faney, actually half-past, 2.30 a.m. Good-bye, I feel comfortable; good-bye." Then in another Once there is the time, "2.38 a.m.," and the words, "It seeing very Slow, However, there is mem more Wt. fn,