Cincinnati Daily Press

Suicide on Account of Marriage-Melancholy Death of a Wedded Youth.

The coroner held an inquest, a day or two since, at the New York Hospital, says the Tribune, on the body of Henry J. S. Lear, twenty years of age, who died from the effects of a dose of strychnine, taken for the purpose of ending his life. About four months ago, young Lear, who was the only son of a widowed mother, ran away from home and was gone for two months. He then returned, but would give no satisfactory explanation of his absence. Shortly afterward he disappeared again for several days, taking with him some jewelry and clothing, but returned without those articles. This he repeated several times, his mother never being able to account for his strange actions. At last he yielded to her sorrowful entreaties, and told her that he was married, but refused to divulge either the name or the residence of his wife. Lately he has appeared very downcast and dejected, but would make no explanation regarding the cause of his distress. One day of last week, he procured a quantity of strychnine, and having swallowed a portion of it, was soon taken with convulsions. He was taken to the Hospital, where death ensued shortly after. The following letter was found in his possession:

Dear Mother: I now write you these few lines that you may see that I have some respect for you, though you thought I had none since I ran away from home. But forget the past, and pray for me that I may not be tortured in the next world. I have suffered enough in this, and am determined to die, therefore pray for me. I am tired of life, and do not want to live any longer. It is true that I have not treated you well, but I hope you will forgive me. My love to my aunt, and ask her to forgive me. I know you will feel better when you know what has become of me. Tell all who may inquire after me that I am dead. Mother, have a care of J. P- I do not trust him too much; he will fix you as he did me—get out of you all that he can, and then you may go. Dear Mother, please forgive me; I have been a bad son, but ask your forgiveness. People thought I had no feeling, but I assure you I have. Please let my employers know that I feel ashamed for my conduct toward you in their presence; they can never say that I wronged them out of a cent. Dear Mother, please pray for me, that I may not go to hell.