ithin he discovered a scrap of paper on which were written
the words: 'Farewell to Earth for ever!' Werner's friends, when
interviewed by the _Evening Post_, all positively identified the
handwriting of this scrap as his chirography. It is supposed that he
took an excursion steamer to St. Joseph, Michigan, last Tuesday or
Wednesday afternoon, and walking down the shore toward Berrien
Springs, finally threw himself into the Lake. Neither Israel Werner,
with whom the dead man lived on Indiana Avenue, nor Patrick Flynn,
the chief clerk at his office, can give any reason for the suicide,
or explain the exact connection of the infernal machine (if such it
be) with the sad circumstance. But they both positively identify the
handwriting on the scrap of paper. We have wired our representative
to bring the mysterious machine to Chicago; and those who think they
may be able to throw any light upon the case, are invited to call at
the office of the _Evening Post_ and examine it."

The _Inter Ocean_ developed a theory that the suicide was only a
pretended one for the purpose of fraudulently collecting life insurance
policies. It was cited that Isidor Werner had insured his life for more
than $100,000, and this in spite of the fact that he had no family,
parents, brothers or sisters to provide for; but had taken the policies
in favour of his uncle, Israel Werner, and in case of his prior death,
in favour of a cousin, Ruth Werner. This theory gained but little
currency among those who knew the man best, and although the insurance
companies prepared to resist payment of the policies to the bitter end,
yet, as time went on, no one attempted to prove his death, nor to claim
the handsome sum which would result from it. Moreover, Israel Werner and
his daughter Ruth, the beneficiaries under the policies, persisted in
believing that their relative was yet alive, though they could give no
good reasons for so believing, nor explain his disappearance.

In its issue of June 15th the _Tribune_ scouted the idea of suicide
altogether. It had a better and more plausible theory of the case.
Isidor Werner had a large sum of money in the Corn Exchange Bank,
drawing interest by the year. In case of either a premeditated or a
pretended suicide he would most certainly have withdrawn, and made some
disposition of, this money. In fact, he had, on the day of his
disappearance, drawn out five thousand dollars of it i