Year: 1873

A few days ago the newspapers con.
tanned 4 brief paragraph concerning
the finding of the body of an unknown
man upon the beach ut Newport. 1t
was case Of apparent suicide, attcn-
ded by circumstances so sad and mys-
terious that Mr.. L. w. Higqinson IN
terested himself in the matter and
printed in the New York Tribune a
letter containing all the facts of the
case that have yet transpired. The
body. when discovered, nai evidently
lain on the beach several DAYS. SAYS
Mr.. lligginson 1t was that OF youag
man of 80 years or thereabouts about
feet inches in height, with short,
dark hair and thick moustache. He
was neatly dressed in dark-bue over
coat, dark blue frock and gray trows-
ers; black felt hat and pair ofLisle
thread gloves lay beside him, and also
his boots, which he had removed. The
position in which he lay was quiet and
without evidence of struggle. He Law
on his side, face downward, the head
resting on a black valise of glazed
leather, between which and the face
was a cambria handkerchief. By his
side were two brown paper bags, con-
tanning biscuits and figs; also three
bottles and an empty tumbler. Two
OF these bottles were empty. and smelt
only of perfumes; the third was a
small vial containing choral, in gran
uIa'ed state. The labels mad been
carefully picked from the bottles the
name had been cut from the handker-
chief, and, as it ultimately proved,
from every article of clothing and from
the valise itself. Even cane which
was found near by--a common, hook
ed stick-had apparently once borne
initials which had been carefully eras-
ed. But the most noticeable memorial
Of the poor fellow who had given up
his life in that lonely place was Il thick
volume of ''Byron's Poems that lay
beside him (Routledge's edition, Lon
don 1861 bearing on the ly-leaf the
following inscription in pencil -


Il am unwell-if die let the finder plea.e
throw my body into the ocean, and not trouble
themselves to maze inquiries concerning my
identity.


Il have committed no crime-occupied no
social position, and have no friends who would
desire to know my fate so il is unnecessary TO
do otherwise than as here request. 1t is my
last wi and very great desire that nv body
may rest in the ocean,"


This was written in a bold, clear
hand, with accuI ate spelling the chiro-
graphy not elegant, yet not illiterate
certainly not that of clerk or book
keeper; yet that of one quite used to
writing. The latter part was written
more TREMENDOUSLY, or (Which is quite
as probable) was rendered less firm by
the thickness Of the book and the alb
sence OF the support for the palm, as
the last words came to the very edge.


The wish thus Louchingly expressed
was not granted. The finder of the
body sent word to the local justice of
the peace, who lived some miles away
for the body was found in Middle
town, not in Newport; and before
nightfall coroner's jury was brought
together. whose verdict, if agreed up
on, is not yet made known. The body
being already in the first stages of de-
composition, was buried in the town
cemetery this morning in the very gar
ments in which it lay; a travelling
shawl, which believe l have not men
toned, being wrapped around it.


Not having heard about the matter
until last evening, could not visit the
spot till to-day. The body had been
carried to the cemetery, and on follow
ing it thither found that it had been
already buried. Finding that all the
effects Of the deceased had been car
ricd TO the house of the justice of the
peace, went there and examined them.
They did not confirm the impression
given me by those who had described
the remains as of person apparently
in comfortable circumstances, but, on
the contrary, suggested that poverty
might have been among the causes Of
this sad ending of young life. The
valise was Of black enamelled leather,
and rather cheap and worn, and it con-
! tanned little under-clothing, neat
enough. but not superfine, though there