Charles S. Merrill, 51
years of age, who probably was well-to-do, died under peculair
circumstances in the cheap lodging house at 63 Atwater street yesterday
morning.
He had been stopping there since
September 20, and Charles Schulz, proprietor of the place, said he had
been drinking heavily during the time of his residence there. Merrill
called for a drink of water at a very early hour yesterday morning and
after it had been given him he apparently went to sleep. At 8;30 he was
found dead in bed.
The proprietor of the place
said that deceased had acted in a melancholy manner and that he thought
it might be a case of suicide.
Coronor Forth took charge of the
remains and the belongings of the dead man. In his grip were found
letters which indicated that he was probably well connected and had been
in business in Woodstock, Ont., some time ago.
They indicated his latter place
of residence to have been Toledo, O. A partially written letter on paper
bearing the letter-head of the Devibiss-Huston Manufacturing company,
Toledo, was among the papers.
A letter signed "Sister
Mary," and bearing the postmark "Auburn, Placer Co.,
Col.," and dated April 1, 1897, furnished the best clue to the
whereabouts of his relatives. In this letter also relatives were
mentioned, who live at 520 O street, San Francisco.
Coroner Forth had the remains
removed to Marshall's undertaking establishment. Effort will be made to
notify deceased's relatives of his demise. Drs. Johnson and George made
a post mortem examination and found that the immedate cause of death was
heart failure.
Detroit Free Press. [Mr.
Charles Merrill was a former resident of this place and was well known
by many of the older residents of the village.]
