The New York herald., 1878-02-07
THE MARTINEZ SUICIDE.


HIS FRIENDS UNABLE TO FIND ANY CAUSE FOR
1T--wHAT THEY SAY OF DECEASED.
Tho suicide Of Juan Martinez recounted In the
HgRALD yesterday. was shock to his numerous
friends in this city. The gentleman was a Cuban, q
former resident OF Matanzas. and had boen living In
New York for about twenty years HIS age was about
Hty and no cause could be assigned for his suicide.
His business Affairs supposed to be prosperous
and his domestic relations undisturbed. He resided
with his wife, It is supposed, happily, at their resi-
dencc No. SO East Fifty-ninth street. The business
the deceased carried on at office NO. 20 in the
building No. 50 Exchange place, and there yesterday
reporter called The office, on tho third floor, was
closed. On the door the sign Of the 1rm ~ Juan
Martinez Hernz" the latter name being a0brevia-
tion OF the Hernandez the brother and partner
OF the deceased man.
On Broad street an Intimate friend Of his found
q member OF a commission firm, who was reluctant TO
speak about the affair but gave particulars Of
interest Ho said Martinez and his brother Herman
dez were considered very wealthy merchants, doing
largo and thriving business on commission in all
products Of the island OF Cuba Hernandez is be-
lieved to be possessed OF worry valuable estates on
the island, ana 1t Is his daughter ! think, who Is
married to Rev. Dr. houghton, who 10 the pastor Of
'The little church around the corner" Their connec-
tons socially and financially, have been Of the very
highest character. Juan Martinez at times mas
bcen considered m0rosc man, and did not
make acquaintanccs easily, but when he formed
Attachments lie was very warm friend
AS lar as / know the habits OF deceased were cx-
emplary He, like all foreigners, Of course induiged
IN glass vino with friends, and often met him at
Dclmonicos IN Beaver street ut lunch AT such times
he seemed convivial, and shadows appeared to DO
hanging over his lilo 10 make him commit suicide.
suppose have met to-day fifty Cubans who have
stopped to about the sad affair, and have
heard nothing but expressions Of sorrow. 'But, !"
said tho gentleman, struggling his shoulders and
"a man always carries skeleton about with him, you
know" With this gloomy and rather sardonic ex.
preston the conversation ended.
AT REV. HoUGHTON's.
Tho residence OF the reverend gentleman adjoins
s'the little church around tho corner" No. l East
Twenty.ninth street, aud tho blinds were closed. Tho
vile OF the preacher Is niece Of the suicide and Is
prostrated grief at the sudden blow to the family.
The mystery which tho terrible affair involved,
Dr. Houehton said, had in wise been cleared up.
The BODY OF Juan Martinez has been removed from the
house No $50 Second avenue, where the deed had
been committed TO No. IL East Twenty ninth street.
adjoining the church, tho residence OF the brother,
Hernandez Martinez. 1t had not yet been decided
whom the funeral would take place.
Upon visiting the latter number the reporter found
the phew OF the deceased, Hernandez Martinez JE
was removed last night Tuesday at about eleven
O'Clock from Second avenue, by permission OF the
Coroner The date OF the funeral will be decided this
evening cannot tell you the cause OF this sad affair
/ am my uncle had not been drinking to excess
None his friends would suspect sucn a thing
The house has been thronged to-day with his
trends and countrymen. The statement in the
HERALD about absence OF my uncle from the alter
poou OF Monday until he shot himself Tuesday
evening was correct My father and some trends
called on Mr. De Armas on Second avenue, TO gain
news him, and stated, soon after they lett tho
fatal deed was consummaed II Is great blow, Sir,
the young man added
Testimony before the Coroner having elected the
fact that Mr. Do Armas the deceased had dined
u restaurant '.between Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streots III Fourth avenue" on Monday evening, the
reporter visited that locay and discovered that be.
tween the streets named there wero nothing nut wine
Shops beer saloons and petty restaurants IN none OF
recled to Italian Gale resort Tor tho Spanish
Iallan anu Fronch residents oil the metropolis. The
proprietor said had not noticed Mr. De Armas or
his friend, although they might huve been there.
TIE BOARDlNG HOUSE,
At. No. $50 Second aveaue Mra Jane Willis keeps
boarding house. IL is near Ninth street. 1t IN
this building that Mr. Juan Martinez took his liie IN
au apartment nabited Dy senior Jose dc Armas Upon
visiting tue place yesterday the writer was received
by a colored servant Mrs Willis, SO The man said
waA very sick bod from the elects OF the shock re-
celved when the iuil horror oil the situation burs
upon her, and sue would speak about the affair al
all The coiored man said he did not know tbat the
parties had been drlnking-''in act, checking him
sell, ''he knew nothing al all "
Mr.. De Armas, the Trend OF Juan Martinez could
not be seen. He Is said to be u gentleman OF goos
churacter and stanuing; he has an ugly scar on
to have been received duel. AT all events unti
tho Coroner's inquest snail have thrown more hgn
on tn the oi the SUICIDE o. Senor Jual
Martinez must remain mystery. The funeral vii
probably take place today, permit having peel