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Postmaster Bell today received a letter from United Consul John Malcolm Johnstone, at Pernambuco, Brazil, under date of May 6, with reference to the death of a man, in the hospital at that city, who gave his name as James Russell Hedges and requested that relatives in this city be notified in the event of his death.

The letter has been read by John H. Todd and Dr. J.S. Hedges, who are of the opinion that the deceased was James Josiah Hedges, a brother of Dr. Hedges and formerly a brother-in-law of Mr. Todd.

James J. Hedges left Mansfield about ten years ago.  He went to Montana, and has meantime been in California, Arizona and Mexico, and about two years ago he went to Chili and from thence to Brazil.  It is two years since any of his relatives in this city had any intelligence of him and it is believed that he is the man referred to in the letter, although the middle name is not the same.  This might be an error and it is possible that he had changed his middle name.

The letter is here given in full as it contains briefly all the information it would be possible to give at this time:

CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 

PERNAMBUCO, MAY 6, 1895.

Sir -- About four months ago a person calling himself James Russel Hedges arrived in this city from Sal Paulo.  For three months after his arrival he spent his time in fruitless endeavor to obtain work.  During the last month he was confined most of his time in the Portuguese Hospital of this city on account of sickness (dropsy of the heart).  On Friday last, the 3d. inst., he died and was buried in the public cemetery and his grave marked.  I sent him to the hospital at his own request, and upon leaving the Consulate on his way to the hospital he requested me in case he did not recover to write to his relatives at Mansfield, Ohio, and inform them of his death.  And since he failed to give me the name of any relatives I have taken the liberty of communicating through you with them.  During his last days he was properly cared for and after his death he was recently buried.  Should his relatives desire fuller particulars concerning his sojourn here I shall be pleased to furnish them upon application.  I am, sir, your obedient servant.

JOHN MALCOLM JOHNSTONE

U.S. CONSUL

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