The New York herald., 1870-07-21
SUICIDE OF 1HE FRENc."d MINISTER
M. PrevOst-Ps'r.adol Shoots Himself
Throug,ta the Heart at Washington.
The Act a Premeditated One, but
No Cause Assigned.
Particulars Of the Tragedy---In.
quest Over the Body.

. WASHINGTON, July 20. 1870.
H. Prevost-Paradol the French Minister, Is dead
He committed suicide at one O'Clock this morning
shot himself through the heart and died In few
seconds Terrible tragedy Is 1t nots From nine
O'CLOCK this morning our city has resonnded with
excamations like those just written. Though tn e
awful tragedy took place only an hour alter most
people hereabouts had retired to rest, no
one but the ralet ds cham6re and the
maid servant or cook OF the Paradol establishment
knew anything about II until seven O'Clock
this morning. Thus from one O'Clock until i've
O'Clock only two living beings in the world knew
that NJ Paradol was no more-knew that he had
terminated his own existence with bullet through
insanity, despair gref at the conduct OF his friends,
the Oreanists or whatever else may have been the
cause
''And why was the event concealed from the know
ledge Of all others for many hours ~ has been
asked many time to-day since the dread news has
been spread before our community. The only ex-
PLANTATION gwen IL that the rdlet de thdnl61e, Au-
guste, and the maid servant, Marie, were 30 over
whelmed with astonshment and grief so ignorant OF
the ways and customs OF this strange city, that they
knew not how to act under the circumstances, and
waited until tile light OF early morn before they ven-
tured into the street and repaired to the silence
OF NJ. de Jardin. the Chancellor OF the Legation, TO
give the alarm. Auguste bore the tidlngs to NJ de
Jardin whom he aroused not long after five O'Clock
this morning. The valet narrated the story OF his
masters death in his simple way, 10 NJ. de Jardin,
across whose mind Hood OF light Instantly poured,
and little words that had spoken and incidents
that had occurred during the few preceding days came
back TO remind HIM how, after all the deceased had
foresbadowed his tragic end ana how 1t might possi-
bly, have been averteu by q little more forerhought
and caution.
will explain the details further on, but just here,
en- PEASANT, fnd II CONVENIENT to state that NJ. de
Jardns first impulse. when he heard the news, was
to rush to his room, break open letter and read
it,
If any accident should happen pray thai 70 a.
Se Jaron VIVA Mr. higgs and the Consul General At New
wants are sent back g their country hope thai the
baye made in the Omitted States PREvOsT-PARADOL.
M. de Jardin read this letter over and over again.
and pondered over its contents NJ. Provost Parado
had given 1t TO him two days Derore-ou Monday
enjoinng him on no account TO open 1t until
he tDe Jardln) should hear something extra
ordinary. The whole truth flashed upon NJ.
de Jardln in moment The letter
was written when PrevostParadol determined
upon the fatal act and had been left with DE Jardin
as an explanation. NJ. de Jardin hastily dressed
and repaired to the house OF the Marquis de Cham.
many years. ,and who has held the closest inter-
course with the French legations When the Mar
gus was aroused and hailed by De Jardin at the
door he Immediately exclaimed, "PrevostParadol Is
dead Is IL not soS know IL must be SOL De
Jardin nodded his head and answered 'Yes,' and
proceeded to relate what he had heard from the
want Auguste. IL seems the Marquis knew Provost
Paradol intimately IN France, and since the arrival
OF the latter In this city had been good zeal in
hts company. The French Minister, In his con.
versations with the Marquis had shown
great depression OF spirits, exhibited nervous.
ness and uneaslness at the difficulties OF
his new position, and expressed desire
TO resign his ministerial honors and return to
France. He mad complained OF the extreme heat
and Of very general debility asking every friend he
met II he did not look very III, and otherwise show.
ing curious evidences Of approaching sickness or a
weak state Of the mind. The Marquis, TO whom
PrevostParadol thus spoke very frequently Joked
and reasoned with him, In order 10 bring his
thoughts into more healthy, correct and agreeable
channel. The Marquis pointed out TO him the sin
gular Authorizations under which he was labonng
and strove by every means in his power to convince
him Of the exalted, but pleasant and easy, appoint
ment he had received. But PrevostParadol seemed
guments Of the Marquis and M. de Jardin, "Wen
my friend, all that Is very good but how does
nsp left UPON the MIND Of both cnamurun ns
md De Jardln was that M. Prevost.Paradol was
about 10 be very sick, probably with typhoid fever
but they never thought that be contemplated suicide
Only the night before the tragedy, Chambrun and
De Jardin were taking over the curious manner OF
the minister and wondering what could be the mat.
ter With him. De Jardin spoke ABOUT the letter which
had been given him by Provost. Paradol and pro-
dueed the sealed document to show to his friend the
idea OF the letter and concluded that was mere
freak OF the minister.
hoy rala oil lie tn oSrla in ybyt tho Nor
gus de Chambrun Oh being aroused by DE
Jardin, exclaimed ''Paradol Is dead" lie felt In
tue early visit OF his friend. Alter confirming
tb nteTogating exclamation OF De ChaInbrun De
9ardp proceeded to explain what ne valet had told
both OF them In deep sorrow proceeded to the house
Of death for the purpose OF taking charge OF the
effects and seeing whether any other letter scrap
of writing had been left behind On arriving at be
late residence OF The deceased they found the ola
12% rna Mss ws be IN Of 3
master Saying few kind words to the domestic
they went up stairs to the bedroom and beheld the
friend they had left the day before living, ana In
toerably good health, stretched on the ground in
his nightgown, which was stained with blood. The
as usual. The body lay in front OF large bureau
mirror with the feet toward the bureau and mantel
piece and the head close to the foot OF the bedstead
The position OF the deceased suggested the theory
that he must have stood before the mirror at the
time he put the pistol TO his bosom for the purpose
OF securing deliberate and accurate In the region
or the heart The bullet penetra.ed The left nipple.
but Its exact course must remain matter Of doubt
as no post-mortem examination was made. The
blood had spurted freely from the wound, saturaing
The nightgown and spreading over the carpet In
psrfecf pool. One pistol discharged, ana WIN we
case Of the Cartridge In the breech, was lying on the
pistol the terrible deed had been perpetrated. An
Qther pistol, quite empty, but with dented car
fridge lying close beside II, was found ON the bu
feau. The Minister had evidently made two
attempts to put an end to his existence. The
1ented cartridge tod the story. He had used
the pistol lying on the bureau and the charge had
refused to obey the trigger and hammer. 1t was
miss-nre and the Minister, laying both cartridge and
pistol on the bureau, took the second weapon faced
himself before the mirror, near which the gas was
burning brightly, and pulling aside his night gown
30 as to pare his chest put the pistol over the heart
and fred. This time there was no mistake The
the unfortunate Frenchman.
But 1t Is necessary 10 continue the narrative In
regular form. When De Jardin and Chambrun had
hnished their inspection or everything In the house
they sent for the undertaken and embalner, Messrs.