The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-10
HIS OWN DESTROYER.

FRENcHMAN, WHO ACTED AS PAYMAsTER IN
THE FRANco-PRUssIAN WAR, COMMITS SUICIDE
IN THIS CITY
AFrenchman. who few months ago rented a bed
on the third floor Of No. 100 Blocker street.
committed suicide yesterday in his apartment by
shooting himself in the head. Up to the time of
the tragic occurrence nothing was known by the
landlady and other occupants Of the house of his
name anteccdents. He was we'll behaved and
courteous in his demeanor. but withal reticcnt
and avoided his fellow dodgers. He lived secluded
life, going and coming at intervals, having but
companion. Frenchmsn The latter took up his
abode with the suicide about month ago.
and. in order to accommodate him. deceased
relinquished his cot to him and slept
himself the floor. The friend is
equally unknown, but it is supposed that he is
cigar maker. About noon yesterday the latter left
the promises, that being his usual hour to go to
work, and few minutes after the loud report of
pistol was heard. As if bya common instinct. half
dozen affrghted people to the Frenchmans room,
and there he was found PROSTATE on the floor. with
wound in the right temple aud smoking revolver,
OF the La Fouchet pattern in his hand. He
scrupulously attred in suit Of black broaicloth,
his linen was freshly laundried and his hair was
neatly brushed.
THE SUICIDES AN1EcEprNrs
Coroner Woltman proceeded to the scene of the
tragedy in the afternoon. From papers which were
upon the suicides history, and passport found
upon his person established his identity. From
this and other documents the following facts were
gleaned:--
Noise Agne vignes. the name of the suicide, was
born in Brittany in 1S47. He we'll educated and
came Of good family During the Franco Prussian
war he served as paymaster i'll the First battalion
Twentieth regiment of artillery, in the French army
After the war he resided in Bordeaux. where
he was employed in jewelry establishment
He there accumulated handsome sum from his
earnings and placed 000f in the banking house of
pn RNhar Hn RnvsI
for Paris While sojournng in the latter city he
ceived an invitation to attend the wedding OF his
cousin young woman to whom he had been paying
devoted attentions He refused accept the invita-
ton, and thereafter left his native land board
one Of the Pacific and Oriental Mail boats for this
country via San Francisco. A brother of deceased.
who is sergeant in a cavalry regiment in Rouen,
recently wrote letter to Noise, portion of which
read -'Your mother regards you in the light OF a
spendthrif and scapegrace; she is taking steps
have your patrimony stopped. so that you need ex-
pect no more remittances."
letter. evidently in the handwriting Of deceased,
written in French and addressed to q Monsieur
Sacreuter, read
If do without you will render great
This epistle was signed "Gaymara." On the wash
stand was found another note scrawled in pencil
soiled sheet of paper, which read as follows:-
There by of Ortst in the room q few
minutes before the noise of the pistol was heard.
1t subsequently ascertsined that this note was
written by the housekeeper before the arrival of
the police to notify them of the OF the
roommate OF deceased Another document ex-
amined by the Coroner was written in delicate
hand and in excellent French. 1t was signed Nine.
vignes and is supposed to have been written by the
mother of deceased. There note granting him
permission to hunt Tor season Oh D French noble
mans estate. Other papers showed that he had
been studying medicine i'll France, and letter from
friend exhored him to have patience and persevere.
Upon his person was found 81 SO. In the morn
ing he paid his landlady forty cents for small bot
tie of st. Julien. which stood half emptied the
table, with bottle containing some brandy. As no
appeared to- claim the body the Coroner ordered
its removal to the Morgue.