New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-06-03
FscAPrFRoM ssIPATIoN IN DEATH.
SUICIDE Of FORMERLY WEALTHY MAN.


tall and wcll-sapcd man of fftY-fve years
whose dress and manners indicated that he was re-
fined and had once been wealthy entered the res
colt House. on Broadway ON the evening OF May
10, and wrote the name H. +. Bccch on inc
register lie wished room, but he said he had no
baggage and he admitted that he had no ready
money He offered to leave his silk umbrella as
security for the payment OF a nights lodging; ~"
was refused, and went ont into the street; Later
An the evening he was discovered lying on the Slc-
walk in front of the hotel, unconscious ald snhcrng
from the effects of quantity OF chlorGiorln whGh
h, had swallowed. HU was removed TO the ~;
Vincrmt's Hospital where the surgeons recognized
him at once as q man who had been there several
times. lie had been introduccd at the Hospital pre-
yiousiy as Colonel Lafayette i. Beech, formerly an
officer in the Confederate army. lie was con
firmed opium eater, and had been treated for too
free use of the drug. He recovered at the hospital
and denied that he had taken the chlOroiorln with
the intention of committing suicide.
Last Friday Colonel Beech registered at the Ire
mont House, at No. GG5 broadway, and was gwen a
room in an upper story. He had no baggage AS Iie
aade no off + to pay for his hoard or room, the
CLERK of the hotel spoke 20 hiln ON Tuesday morning
and Colonel Beech admitted frankly that he was
destitute. Che Of the PROJECTORS OF the hotel gave
lin permission TO occupy Tie room aNOller hlEh''
but waIncd him that hr must LOOK Tor other quar-
tiers Nothing more seen of him until yesterday
afternoon when, as the door Of the room still r.
manned shut. servant was sent 10 cal nm
Colonel Beech was discovered lying on the bed
partly dressed, He was unconscious. and strong
9Ior of chlorrtcrn p.rvadcd the room. In the bed
by his side six ounce hottie containing about
three ounces OF the drug. lie was removed TO the
Ncw-YOrk Hospital and efforts to revive INN were
made III VAIN. ne ltHldItu III IL '''p StuI"i lHN
failed rapidly until Top. H.. whcn't physicians
said he was dying His breath had become inrcr
ceptiblc, and only faint tuttcring of his heart
showed that he was still aliv.. He might remain
in that condition for another how, the physicians
thought. hut he could not liv" until mCrnin@.
/ Ii was learned that Colonel Beech had been in the
CITY siuce January l, and that lie had boarded at
the ST. Nicholas and Commercial Hotels. He had
been complied to leave both places on account of
his inability to pay for his board. 1t was said That
he belonged to one Of the best families in Nashville,
Tenn. and that he had four brothers living i'll that
city all of whom are wealthy land highly respected.
Congressman John +. House, of Tennessee was said
to he his hrOthCr-im-ltw. Previous 10 the war.
Colonel Beech WAS very wcalty and at one time
had > -, 900 TO his credit in the Bank of Englald.
He engaged III cotton planting " hen thr war was
over and hrng unsuccessful he lost his entire for
tune For year or two :ftcrward he was agent in
Nashville for the dry goods firm of Arnold x Con-
stable of this city. Later he connected with
tie firm of Howard Sanger & Co.
Habits Of dissipation it waS sad, had allcnatcd
HIM from ms family and relatives at Nashville. and
he had bee addicted to the constant Ioc O pow
crful drugs.