Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-03
Suicide of Il Musician.

Our citizens were terribly shocked
this afternoon on the news spreading
that Mr.. Frederick Lacy Barnes, one
of the most eminent teachers and gifted
musicians in the city, had committed
suicide at his residence. late last night,
by shooting himself with a revolver.
Deceased was engaged yesterday in
giving concert in the Dominion Exhi-
bition, when the Govern or- General at
tended the opening celebration, and his
pianoforte playing was the theme
of universal admiration. On complet.
ing the programme, about five O'Clock,
he remarked, with emphasis, to the
manager, have played my last piece.
and never played to so large an audi.
ence before" He returned home in an
excited and nervous state, and laid
down for an hours sleep. On being
reused by the servant he seemed angry.
which she thought was from being
awakened. He had subsequently u
small dinner party of musical frierds.
and seemed during the evening in his
usual health and spirits. Just before
the departure of the last of his guests,
who was Mrs. Throwe-, a leading
vocalist. he took out revolver and
asked her if she had ever seen it before
At this moment Mrs. Thrower stopped
down to give good.night's kiss to Mr.
Barnes infant daughter, and before
lifting her head she heard shot
Raising herself, the unfortunate man
fell dead into her arms. He had placed
the revolver in his mouth and sent a
bullet into his brain. Deceased was
native of London, England, Il graduate
OF the Royal Academy there, where he
WIS educated as musician under Sir
Jules Benedict and DR.. Sternes. He
became an organist by profession, and
after filling All appointment in Liver
pool church was induced to come here
to fill similar position in Christ
Church Cathedral. He was soon sought
for as teacher of music and leader of
our NEST advanced amateur and pro-
fessional societies, all of which posi-
tons he filled with credit. He was
then sought for wider field, and about
year ago became associate organist OF
Trinity Church, New York. For some
time he gravitated between Gotham and
Montreal, making the double journey
every week, but finally, few months
since, gave up Trinity Church and con-
tinued his professional services here.
On leaving the English metropolis he
married Miss Braham, London actress
and vocalist of rare accomplishments,
and descendant of England's most
famous tenor singer. After residing
here for some time she accepted an en-
gagement as prima uonna IN an opera
troupe in the States, and has since only
occasionally visited this city. She is ut
present singing at the Union Square
Theater, New York, in the Roosevelt
Company. Her husband was man of
rare musical talent and bright genius,
but, like many gifted men, was eccen-
trio and excitable to great degree.
He has been laboring under the delu-
sion that he would come to poverty,
and this has unduly preyed upon his
mi9id. The excitement and noise at
III exhibition yesterday, when some
30SoO people were present, as his med
ical attendant testified at the inquest,
must have, from his nervous temrera
ment, upset his reason and caused him
to commit an act which he had on a
former occasion manifested DISPOSE
ton to attempt. He was only twenty
eight years of age, and leaves, besides
his young widow, two infant children.
Mrs. Thrower left for New York this
morning to break the sad news TO Mrs.
Barnes. -Konnea! Telegram.