The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-10
THE EPIDEMIC OF SUICIDE.
A Well.Kn0wn Citizen Takes Poi
SOll.
A Scene OF Sorrow.

Again it becomes necessary to record an
other one of those rash and insane actions
usually known as suicide.
The subject Of this sad affair is the we'll
known citizen, MI. Charles Bendix, who ex-
PRED yesterday at $50 4. NJ, BY taking some
unknown poison.
1t appears that pecuniary troubles have for
the past two years preyed upon his mind to
such an extent as to render him at times
miserable, and upon several previous occa-
sions he has attempted to put into execution
the deed committed this morning had it not
been for good and loving wife who watched
him day ard night and upon several occa-
sions took Walls of arsenic from his pockets,
which LIE had procured for the purpose OF
ending his existence.
4 BULLETIN reporter visited the. residence
of the deceased, at No. 81 Bienyille street,
where he beheid scene too heartrending for
his feeble pen to depict. In tie front room,
up stairs, Of two-story cottage, lay the de-
ceased stretched out in the awful stiffness of
death. and at the foot Of the bed stood his
poor bereaved wife, uttering cries OF anguish
that pierced the innerMost recesses OF the
heart.
Five little children in their innocence clus-
tered around her, and as if touched by
sympathetic chord they too were weeping as
if their cup Of sorrow had already been filled,
even to Overlooking The poor lady called
grief and paused ever and anon as if the
sealed lips Of death could open and answer
her lamentations.
From the mother of the lady the following
facts were cleaned:
MIR. Charles Bendix is native Of Meintz,
Germany, and tifty-nine years old, but
came to New Orleans in 1S47 and has resided
here ever since, being engaged II mercantile
| life for many years past, and was weil-to-do
| in the world. He was the Vice President OF
| the Teutonia National Bank, and in that en-
terprise lost his all This was the hrst trou-
| be that took strong hold upon the feelings
of the deceased, and from that time to the
present day he has threatened to destroy
himself.
During that time he has made every effort
| to obtain some situation by which to support
his family, but has failed in every attempt. A
few DAYS ago. he wrote to the Postmaster,
asking for a situation, but received no an
swer. His wife says they had no money and
scarcely bread to eat.
Yesterday came the last trouble that capped
the climax. Owing for rent the landlord put
keeper in charge OF the premises; when this
was done. Mr.. Bendix was almost beside him.
self He went to his mother-in-law and told
her he could stand it no longer The eyes OF
his wife we're even more watchful than ever.
This morning at o'clock, he got up and
| told his wife he wanted to drink some water;
he went to the stand, and taking up the
pitcher, he drank long draught. The lady
seeing him drink out of the pitcher thoughe
that il was all right. when he returned to bed
and asked her (Which was unusuaD to lei MN
sleep for half an hour longer.
She had a presentiment of some trouble.
and putting her arms around him, said, $
hcpe soon all our SORROWS will end. She then
arose. aud was standing at the washstand per-
forming her additions, when her attention
was attracted by q sound as If some one was
choking She turned quickly around, and
rushin q to the bed found that her husband
was perfectly blue in the face and breathing
his last.
She screansed for assistance. when the ser
wants rushed out for the physician, and after
much delay brought in Or. Beach, but toe
late to render any assistance, for Mr.. Bendlx
breathed his last as the doctor entered the
room He leaves wife and five children N
abject poverty.
The Deputy Coroner visited tho house, but
would not venture to render an opinion until
. physician had made a post norton eNtml-
sa:ion. Up to half-past II the examination
was not made
The OPERA. are requested to announce
that there will be a matinee performance at
, this house to-day Saturday,, but that il
the evening Mr.. Merle, the excellent barry
. tone, Will take his benefit in dom Sebastian
& Por usa!'