Alexandria Gazette

SUICIDE.—A most singular case of suicide occurred in Skowhegan village, in this State, (Maine,) on Thursday last. Mr. Gustavus Drew, of S. was arrested some time since for sundry petit larcenies committed by him in the village, and at the June term of the Court the grand jury found a bill against him. He was a hatter, had a wife and four small children, who depended upon him for support, and who are respectable, and had himself, until recently, been esteemed a worthy member of the Congregational church of Winthrop, in this State, at which place he formerly resided.

On Thursday afternoon he was brought into court for trial, and, soon after being placed in the criminal's box, commenced vomiting, when the alarming fact of his having swallowed a large portion of kreosote, the most deadly of all drugs, became apparent, and he was immediately remanded to prison, and a physician called, but nothing could be done to save him. Had an effort been made he would have stoutly resisted it. He died about midnight, having his senses to the last. He had frequently threatened suicide if a bill were found against him, and finally took laudanum and kreosote enough to kill a dozen men. He left several letters, and it is melancholy to read the confessions of a mind, well disposed in many respects, that had been led into crime. A portion of the letter addressed to the Judge is as follows:

"My object in writing is to say, I have a poor and feeble wife, four little children; they have none to help them. I was advised to be off, but I could not bear the thought of my family being stripped to pay my bonds. I have made restitution to those I have injured, I have done what good I could in the world. I have given way to a wrong propensity, and I have fallen. I now give my life as the forfeit; I hope that is enough.

"Spare my family any further trouble, and I wish to have restored to my family all the property that belongs to them—all that is not identified by others, as I have seen all who have any right to any of it. I now leave this world in the full belief that my enemies and the State have had all the satisfaction they want. I should like to live and be of use to my family and the world, and redeem my character, but it is denied me: and, as for being herded with abandoned men, I could not."

Thus ended the days of a man who, had he not given way to temptation, might have been of much use in the world. "Lead us not into temptation" should be our daily prayer.—Portland Argus.