New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-26
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
sruCIDE OF FREDERICK MATTHEW'S
A YOUNG MAN WITH BRIGHT PROSPECTS ENDS HIS
rJFE FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

LIFE FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
In the large dwelling house, surrounded by we'll.
kept lawns and shade trees. at the foot OF East
Seventy ffth-st, Frederick Matthews, q junior
member of the well-known firm of saltwater
manufacturers. shot himself through the heart at
an early hour yesterday morning The house was
built many years ago Ss Business SShn IN this cy
The rooms are spacious and are finished with psnes
of oak and other hard woods. From the parlors TO
the attic the furniture is costly and OF an
tique patterns. In the rooms are many
articles of bric-a-brac. fine paintings ana
statuary, and library OF rare ,h DoOks'
Euro Pc After John Matthews died, and ms Dody
had been buried in the plot IN Green wood Cemetery
marked by costly monumentln tne lofn VI soua-
water fountain, his property was divided between
his wife and her two sons, John and GEORGE Jonp,
the Older son, died few months ago. be9neathing
his cousin, who killed himself yesterday. Frederick
was twenty-five years old. His father, Archibald
Matthews was a brother OF the milnonnaro, anu
was empOved in the soda water factory IN thiscty,
Although he never was admitted TO partnership IN
the business. ArchIbald's reason became impaired
several years ago On hnt hWsef On her crave
in Greenwood Cemetery Upon the death
of his father, Frederick became an inmate OF the
Matthews homestead, where he Continued 10 i've.
He was well educated and had liberal allowance
oil money Before he became OF age ne was soinnaul
bullst. lie walked out OF the house at all honrs OF
the night opening the windows or doors win car
penter's tools when they were closed against Dim:
Pbyslc aus Thought it impossible to care nm OF
ID.
the xp,r1ment of waking him by blows OF whip
when they caught him out OF bis room at night, ana
his habit broken that way Upon the death OF
his cousin John he Inherited property worth $780,
,rortb ahont $4,000 per annum. His
health had been impaired for two or three years,
bnt his prospects otherwise so bright that his
sudden death by his own hand was profound sur
prise 10 his relatives.
Young Matthews was engaged to be married 10
Miss Field, of Jersey City, in September. Many of
the arrangements for the wedding bad been com
peted and he was looking forward TO the approach
ing ceremony with apparent satisfaction. bis
aunt who intended soon TO leave the homestead
for the remainder of the summer, had packed up
collection OF PAINTINGS books ana 9ther articles IN
arrangements with Mr.. Judge, q real-estate agent,
TO purchase a house in Lexington-ave. 1t was
his Intention to furnish the house before his mar
rage. He bad arranged also Tor fishing expedl-
ton IN the Adirondacks In August. HIS conduct for
months past had Indicated tnat he was enjoying his
life and that he was anticipating pleasure IN the
future. On Tuesday afternoon when he lett tue
factory of the irm AT Frst-ave. and Iwenty-slxth-
st. his friends noticed nothing unusual in his be-
hayior. He had an appointment TO meet Mir. Judge
al z a. IN. Yesterday to inspect the house IN Lex
mgton-ave. After eating his dinner with his usual
him at 6 o'clock in the morning.
lie talked cheerfully with his aunt before she went
10 bed 1t was late, however, before he retired to
his own room on the second floor OF the houe The
servants heard him walking about III the library,
bur they did not consider MS conduct unusual.
About 2 a. III. several persons III the house heard
noise which they thought was caused by the slam
ming of window shutter No notice was taken OF
it at the time. the NOISE was not repeated When
a servant went to Frederieks room at o'clock
there was response to her knock. AS the door
was unlocked, she opened IT. On the bed lay the
lifeess body OF the young man. large revolver.
which he usually kept under his pillow AZ
night, lay on the floor. Ills hands were
clasped over his breast. where blood stain showed
tie cause IF his death. bullet from the revolver
had gone through ms heart and one of his lungs
George Matthews, who lives IN Fifty hrst-st.. was
summoned to the house. lie searched the library,
"a Ert rift Inv
cousin. Information was sent TO Coroner Martin
and the police, who, when they Investigated the
case, pronounced IL one OF suicide Relatives OF the
Young man said there no cause Tor suicide. II
Frederick killed himself sentioDaiy, they thought
ne must have been attacked suddenly with insan
ity, inherited from his father IL was possible that
he had returned to his old habit of walking in his
sleep and had shot himself by accident while IN
that condition.
with his revolver. His courage was unquestiOncd.
He was awakened one night last winter by burg
lar who opened the window OF MS room and was
trying TO break the fastenngs of the irside blinds
JunpIng out OF bed Frederick threw The blinds open
anu GaitSd uo In re- 't tb 10 SUI no
knees and begged for mercy. lie was permitted to
depart at length, as no policeman was within hear
ing.
message was sent to Miss Field, In jersey City,
yesterday afternoon, asking her 70 come to his city,
and stating that Frederick ill. She drove at
once to the Matthews homestead. When she
alghted from her carriage IN front of the house she
AN undertaker's wagon standing there and the
tainted on the sidewalk. For long time after she
had been carried into the house and had recovered
consciousness she vas hystercal, and IT was
not deemed prudent to revea! to her the manner OF
FIedeTick's death. There had been no quarrel be-
tween the lovers and he had SAID nothing 20 her to
indicate hat their approaching marriage was dis
tasteful to HIM. 1t was SAID that arrangements
would be made for quiet funeral. which will take
place at the house at p. III, Tomorrow. Coroner
Martin will hold an inquest III the case next week.
THE REV. DR. BRlSTOR TO DEMAND A TRIAL.
ILL WITH NERVOUS PRosTRAToN-HE DECLARES
HIS INNOCENCE.
A brother Of the Rev. DIR. George r. Bristor, the
accused pastor OF ST. Luke's Methodist Episcopal
Church of Newark, arrived in Newark from Baltl-
more yesterday morning, and sought Presiiing
Elder Knowles. who was out OF town. Mr. Brlslor
expressed his indi gnatOn at the publications about
his brother, who, he said, was at his parents home
ia Baltimore in state OF great nervous prostrat0n.
The Rev. Mr.. Brstor had written letter 10 the
presiding elder which the bIot ier bore, guessing
the return to him of his parchmenis, denying the
truth OF the charges, and demanding an eccesiastl
cal tual. The brother claimed that the parchments
had been surrendered by the Rev. DR.. BrIstOr while
under great excitement. and he did not mean to
Knowledge guilt III any way. The Kew. Dr. BrlStOr
declares he has not been guilty of any immoratles
and that the conclusions reached by the Official
Board OF the church are hasty and unfair. Later
the brother went to Ocean Beacn To see the Rev.
Dr. Bristor's WIFE, intending 10 communicate with
the Presiding Elder at Ocean Grove. where he is
staying.
One OF the members of the investigating Board
SAID that the statements of the Bris, were not
true; that the meeting on Monday night was not
called by the pastor, but by The joint Board of
officers of the cnurch. and that the ,astor did not
hear of the charges then Tor the first tlme as
committee waited upon aim at his residence Oh
Saturday m0rning aud fully informed him about
the matter. The pastor went before the Board with
the committee and denied the charges and he was
assured that he would have the fullest opportunity
10 prove that he was guiltless. Ills parchmenls