The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-26
ppaIliRg Suicide of a Supposed French
Nobleman and His Mother.


NObleman and His Mother.
Nine weeks ago French gentleman applied for
apartments tfurnished) at No. Norfolk road
Paddington, stating that he and his mother de-
sired the drawing.room floor and o bed room,
and added that he was q French nobleman, who
from political motives had been compelled TO
leave his country. The landlady, Mrs. Connor,
asked for references which were given, and
which comprised the names of some OF the higher
dignitarles OF the Roman Catholic Church, and,
the inquiries having proved satisfactory, the
apartments were let TO the Frenchman and his
mother at 25s. per week. Since then several
weeks have elapsed, when the landlady found
that she need not expect any rent from her
lodRers, and she further discovered that the
Frenchmah and his mother were living in a
state OF semistarvstion; that notwithstanding
they were constantly receiving visitors, the ma
lority OF whom came in their carriages, very
little food came into the house for their susie.
nance. Last week Mrs. Conner gave her dodgers
notice to quit, the said notice to take effect on
last Thursday. In the interim the Frenchman
wrotea great many letters, but received very
At half-past on Thursday night Mrs. Connor
went upstairs to inquire the reason why her
dodgers had not left, and on knocking several
times at the door, and receiving no answer, she
concluded they had gone to bed, but as she was
going down stairs, the old lady came out of the
room, and SAID it would be all right on the fol
t Connor again went to the door of the rooms and
after knocking for several minutes and receiving
no answer, she became alarmed, and sent for the
police. Hawtree, X, was speedily on the spot,
and he effected an entry into the room by way
of the back window. The Frenchman and his
mother were found suspended by cords from the
opposite ends of the window cornice-roller, and
both of them quite dead. The Frenchman was
suspended by piece of window-cord and the
mother had hung herself with O small rope
pulled from the bed-sacking. There were indl-
cations showing that after the nooses were
affixed both mother and son stood on high
foot6tool at the centre OF the window, and threw
themselves off simultaneously.
At that moment the end OF the cornlcep0le
which suspended the mother, splintered which
caused a depression at the other end, the conse.
quence being the feet OF both parties touched
the ground; but so determined were they to
commit suicide that both of them drew up their
legs, and thus consummated their purpose.
With their legs bent in this wise they were found
by the inspector. Mr.. j. s. Beale, the police
surgeon, pronounced that life had been extinct
for several hours. On sofa near the window
was found on one end the Frenchmans coat
cravat, and collar, and on the other end the
woman's cap and neckribbon. On an adjacent
table were several articles of antique jewelry-
evidently heirlooms-and letters from several
English and French noblemen. Close to where
they lay were two sheels marked with ink in
large letters. One was marked, 'This for my
self, }" the other, This for my mother" On the
table was found the following letter.
"Mrs. Connor:-You are a Christian and a
Catholic, therefore you Will know how to fulfil
the last prayers of dying woman, and that it is
q holy duty. My beloved son and myself are just
going to de- We ask from you to look over that,
and see that our dress is not taken from us, and
that my sons false leg (the gentleman wore a
cork leg) be not taken from him. have pre-
pared two pieces Of bed sheets, and wish us to
be wrapped in them all dressed. l also wish you
to take care we are both placed in the same
grave. My beloved son has struggled against his
enemies with a courage that good conscience
alone can give. We have suffered great many
humiliarons and privatlons and we have been
consenting to bear such suffering so long as our
religious feelings would permit us. God does
know our thoughts and our consciences; He will
forgive us. We shall pray Him for you-tor what
you saw not. Do, by yourself what ask from
you. Take care that IL Is DONE / thank
you for your kindness to US in our misfortune,
and / regret the trouble we are giving you
now; but wish to die here leave to you like
reward eight cards (p&wnbrokers' duplicates)
of very good clothes. They are in for fs; their
value is, indeed thirty guineas. l have not had
the means to give something 10 the man who
has rendered to us some service, and who, in
this last moment will have something to do.
leave him all the clothes of my son; speak OF
what give to you because am persuaded that
do not know; but think our property IN your
house has been security for Jour expenses up
to this time You may have the two hats Of my
sons, but burn all which you consider should be
thrown away. For long time have seen my
son suffering and slowly dying. God only know
eth all the torments OF my soul. pray you
again 10 40 all InaI. OOu VIII Dless YOU
"a. DE CALUwE.n
Close to the mans body was the folio wing let
ter:-
81 should be obliged that the woman upstairs
arrange our two bodies, and give her what she
likes. There is linen in the wardrobe, if wanted
Everything we have on is very old. leave q
great deal of old linen dirty. leave eight coat:
and lot of other clothes. My mother, dear
asks that our faces be covered with linen. Ileavt
6s. We have suffered very much and trust
Mrs. Conner, you will do my mothers requests.
''F. DE CALUwEn
Other letters went to show that the gentleman
was thirty-fve years OF age, and his mothe
saventv wears of are london PnDer.