Man Addicted to Books Kills Himself

Aug. 1, 1899: A man kills himself after taking elaborate precautions to prevent being identified. He writes: "I read books every day. They act on me as a narcotic. I dope myself with them. They make me forget for a moment, for there is a continual struggle going on -- to be or not to be.... I have tried to get opium but failed."

Comments

[Aaron]

this is why i love this blog. long-forgotten stories and lives pulled from the dust-bin of history. endlessly more enlightening and interesting than reading about the power brokers and players.