The New York herald., 1878-02-06
SUICIDE OF A WEALTHY CUBAN.
JUAN MARTINEZ, COMMISSION MERCHANT
KILLS HIMsELY IN FRIENDS HoUsE-Nt

JUAN MARTINEZ, COMMISSION MERCHANT,
KILLS HIMsELY IN FRIENDS HoUsE-No
CAUSE ASSIGNED FOR THE ACT.
Shortly aftor Ave o'clock last evening Juan Msrti-
uez commission merchant. whose place Of business
10 located at No SO Exchange place. committed suicide
in tho room Of friend with whom he mad
dned the day before, and remained over night
ut the lattos's boarding house, No. $50 Second
avonue The deceased was native OF Matanzas and
about nny years OF age. He. was married and lived
with his wfc their residence, No SO East Fifty
ninth street. His brother Hernandez Martinez. who
is also engaged business at No. 81 Exchange place,
resides No. IL East Twenty-nint street The fam
lily IL one OF excellent social standing and ro-
puted wealth. Rev. Mr. Houghton, OF tho
slitts church around the corner" is the husband
the daughter OF the doceaseds brother They wero
oil naturally retcent as the why their rela
two took his life. Coroner woltman, who was noti-
fed oi the occurrence, made investigation and
took the testimony given below concerning his actions
previous the finding OF the body covered with blood
and grasping In the right hand small revolver
Of French make. How long deceased had remained
away IRON the afternoon OF Monday, when he met a
friend, Mr.. De Armas with wbomehe remained until
That his irienus and family we're anxious
about his absence Is shown In tho testimony of MI.
DO Armas who state; tnst On Yesterday a'srnoon sraa
aled at his (Mr. De Armas house IN search OF news
OF him, and LETT after seeng him and exaclnga
promise that hc would return home IN the evening.
FATAL SHOT.
The brother aud friends had hardly LETT the house
heard tho report Of pistol in room above, and rush
ing 10 the room whore no had loft his friend, there
found HIM bleeding from tho rsh: s'ds Of me head
was summoned and life was found to be ex-
tlnct The nrst witness examined BY the
Coroner was Jane Willis who testified as foilows:-
reside at No. $50 Second avenue and keep board
ing house there; deceased was stranger 10 me; he
called last night Mr.: jose dc Armas. who was
house IN company with Mr.. Dc Armas AT about i've
O'Clock l saw Mr.. De Armas run out tho front
and informed his friend was shot
Jos6 oe Annas. who was next examined, beng
sworn said:- live at No. $50 Second avenue; have
llvod thero five months; had known deceased tor
years. and in the habit OF meeting him every
day. he hsd lived hero since 1881! no was counts
change place. no married and lived ut No 90 East
Fifty-ninth street he called on mo on Monday, At
about five +. NJ; wont to dinner With him on Fou,sh
avenue, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth Streets
noticed nothing qnusual about HIM; wo returned 10
went down stairs 10 ,ake bath returning my
found him very uneasy; asked him. "Do you feel
weliS' no replied. 81 DO, and want to go 10
up Till about ten O'Clock; about haif-past
nine got up and smoked cigar; alter finishing The
awake for time and heard him snOre; during The
night | heard him coughing; got up 70 breakfast
morning Al nine O'CLOCK decca6cO refused 10 got
up; returned 10 my room; ne called Tor ice water,
which brought 70 MIN; no continued drink
ing water and smoking and took nothing 10 cat;
he took whiskey nt times with tho wafer; renamed
with him until iour y. NJ; ut this time brother and
some friends OF cecoased called upon 10 ascertain
mis- whereabouts; l informed them ho in my
room ana invited them up SEQ MIN; the brother re-
NAMED ill about i've, alter receiving promise
from his brother that he would 20 home
IN the evening; shortly after l went down
with the brotncr and friends 10 the
paror arriving in the parlor. heard tho report OF
pistol or something like II; ran up stairs and found
Martinez hud shot nimscli noticed blood on right
side Of and body Gown after his brother and
fricnds but they had gone then went to tnolresI-
dsnco Of his brother No II East Twenty street.
10 inform him Of what had happened, but
failed TO find him there; Uelore Left the house
informed the landlady Of what had taken place;
when returned TO my room l i0und
that policeman had taken charge OF It; l never
heard deceased say ne urod OF life; knew OF
trouble he had ana assign no reason why he
took his life.
The remains were kept In tho house Second
avenue last night. but viii probably be removed to-
day deceaseus late residence or the house OF his
brother, whore preparations will be made for the
Nup nj