1889-08-02-THE HICKMAN COURIER-Kentucky DEATH OR DISHONOR The Secretary of a Farmers Organization Suicides Because of a Shortage The Tennessee State Wheel, a farmers' organization, recently held its annual session at Nashville. A resolution was passed to investigate the books of the secretary and treasurer. Before the investigation the secretary disappeared. His name was W. T. Davis, and he was from Weakley county, West Tennessee, and he was known to many of our tobacco men. An investigation revealed a shortage of $2,000 in his accounts, and a note was found reading as follows: "NASHVILLE, TENN. July 22, 1889. "Mr. A. G. Gowan: "Dear Sir-You will find the books of the Wheel at No. 407 North Summer street and my body in the Cumberland river. I am tired of life and had rather die than to fall short in my accounts. Will you please send my valise to my wife with all the papers that are in it. My life has been a failure, and I am sorry that I have to leave my darling wife and children, but commit them to God and may He help them in this life. Oh, my God, how I hate to leave them; but I cannot bear to meet them in disgrace. My acts and my friends have brought me to this rash act. May the God of heaven have mercy on me. I don't care whether they ever look for me to bury me or not. If they do, I want to be buried at Gleeson. To A. E. Gardner, who has been my best friend, I ask to look after my baby boy especially. To all friends and foes I bed a final farewell. Darling wife, do not grieve after me but look on the bright side of life. Kiss my babies farewell forever. Good-bye to all. "W. T. DAVIS"