Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-30
SENSATIONAL SUICIDE.
A Spanish Minister'S Tragic Exft
from Life.
A PREY TO SOME NAMELEss DREAD


NEW YORK, July 29.-Francisco Barca
Spanish envoy and Minister ;Plenipoten
tiary to the United States, committed sui
eide with revolver this morning in hi'
room at the Albemarl hotel. He arrived il
the city from Washington on the
Goth inst, and went to the
hotel, occupying a suite of rooms fronting
on broadway. His wife and youngest
daughter were the guests OF Jose Navarro,
at Seabright, N j. Barca visited them
several times during his stay here. Yes.
terday he called at the Spanish Consulsts
and conversed for some time with Cons1l
General Suarez. Barca was about TO
Return to Europe ....
with his wife and daughter, who intended
visiting his elder daughter, the wife OF
D'Allair Della Salla, q wealthy land owner
residing in Paris, and remain with her
while Barca went on to Madrid and again
returned to this country. In conversation
with the Consul General, Barcs spoke
very pleasantly of his approach
ing visit to Europe, and OF meeting
old friends and associates there. Return
ing to the hotel in the afternoon, he wrote
a number OF letters and dined in his room
alone. About seven o'clock he gave his
key to the clerk, saying something to him
in French, which the clerk did not under
stand. He says he noticed, however, that
the Minister looked
Pale and Agitated,
and that mis- hand trembled. He then left
the hotel, but soon returned, carrying a
package under his arm. A little later
Mannet Suarez, Spanish commission mer-
chant, called upon the minister by request
and remained with him in his room until
two this morning. Barca COnyer5ed
pleasantly during the evening aud urged
upon Suarez the Importance OF selling three
horses, carriage and other personal effects
which he had brought on from Washing
tor, and which he wished to dispose of be.
fore his departure for Europe. When
Sua' q was about to leave, however, B .rca
betrayed much agitation
Pacing the Floor NervOusIy
and permitting his emotion TO find vant
in tears. Ia reply to a question by Snarez.
the minister said his emotion was caused
by his approaching separation from his
family and from his friends ne loved At
last he expressed desire to go to early mass
at the Cathedral, and asked his friend
10 call for him and accompany him.
Suarez promised to call for him at five in
the morning, and bade him good night.
hotel and went to Barca's 8 room. He found
the door closed but not locked.
He entered. The gas was burning
dimly. Passing into the bed
room he was horrihed to see Barca
KneeIing Beside His Bed,
his head dropping on his right arm, which
rested on The bed and supported it. His
face and clothes were covered with blood,
while blood also stained the bed clothes,
and had formed a pool on the floor. In the
right side OF the head was large ballet
hole through which the brains were slow
ly oozing. On the bed was large re-
yolver, with one chamber discharged.
Barca wss already dead, and his body was
cold. Without informing any one in the
hotel, Susrez went at once to the Consul
GeDera. aud the two returned TO the hotel,
titled, and dispatches were sent
to Sonora Barca at Seabright, New
Jersey, and the First Secretary
of Legation at Washington. Oa table
in the sitting room were twenty letters ad.
dressed to members of Senor BarCa's fami-
ly and TO his friends. These are supposed
TO I've the letters he was writing yesterday.
One Of them, addressed to the Consul Cen
eral, stated he intended to kill himself he.
cause his troubles were
More Than Tie Could Bear.
de also asked hun 10 take charge OF MS el-
fects and look after his wife and daughter
The letter gave no details as to the nature
Of the trouble referred to- 1t is believed,
however. that they were Of
financial nature. He had been living
beyond his means. aud in striving to ex'
triCate himself from his ditfIl;ies by
speCulations in Wall street he only be-
came more involved. His friends believe
these troubles preyed on his mind until ne
became insane.
sonora and ScnOrita Barca
arrived in town this evening, accompanied
by the Brazilian Minister. They had not
been told of the Minister'S death, and when
they learned OF it suffered the Creates an
gu IN, and are still Frustrated. Sonora Btrca
wes - years old. He was under Secretary
Of the Interior at the time OF his appoint
m'rt as Minister TO the United States,
February II, 1881.
The tirst Secretary of the Legation ar
rived this evening from Washington, aud
the secretary of the Spanish Embassy ar
rived to day from Europe.