Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-30
SUICIDE OF THE SPANISH MINIS.
TER.
| Senior Barca Takes His Life i'm His
| Room In a New York Hotel.

Senior Don Francisco Barca, Spanish envoy and
minister plenipotenilry to the United States COM
mitted suicide at an early hour yesterday morning
In his room In the Albermarle hotel, New York
city. by shooting himself in the head with revoi-
yer. He arrived in that city from Washington on
the twentieth instant, and went to this hotel,
where he occupied large room fronting
on Broadway, with a bed room and Dress
room attached. His wife and younger
daughter were the guests OF Senior
stay In New York Senior Barca visited them there
several times. Saturday he called at the Spanish
consulate and convarsed for some time with Con-
sui General Miguel suarez Senior Barca was
atout TO return TO Europe with his wife and
aughtefS, the two latter intending to visit his
elder daughter, the wife OF NJ. ID. Affair de la
Salie a wealthy landowner residing In Paris, and
To remain with her While Senior Barca went on TO
Madrid and returned to this country alone. In
Spoke pleasantly OF hts approaching visit to El-
rope, and OF meeting OLD friends and associates
there.
THE CLOSING SCENE.
SenOr Manuel S. SuareZ, Spanish commission
merchant, called upon the minister by request
Saturday evening, and remained with him in his
room until O'Clock yesterday morning. When
Senior SuareZ was about to leave, however, Senor
Barca betrayed much agitation. He said that his
emotion Was Causet by his approaching separation
from his family ana from friends he loved While
expressed desire to go to early mass at the
Cathedral and asked his friend 10 call for
to Call tor him at O'clock In the morn
Ing, and then Dide him good night. At the
hour named he returned to the hotel and ascenied
TO Scnor Barca's room. He found the door closed,
out n It locked. Passing into the bedroom, he was
horriflad to SeEor Barca kneeling beside his
bed his head dropping on his right arm, which
RESI- ed on the bed and supported 1t, his face AMI
clothes covered with blood while blood also sta ned
the bed clothes ani had formed pool on the floor
with SIX chambers, One OF Which had been dis
Charged. Senor Blrca was already dead and his
BODY Was cold. Without informing any one In
The hotel, nor SuhreZ proceeded at to not:-
~ the cJ1sul general, VINO returned With him to
the hotel. Tie police and the coroner were then
bottled, and spa,ehes were sent to Sonora Birca
Sbrl ght and to the first secretary OF legation
IN this city. On table In the SIT tihg-room were
twenty went, letters addressed ta members OF Senor
addressed TO the consul-geHeral, stated that he
INTENDED TO KILL HIMSELF
because his troubles were more than he could
bear. The letter gave no details as to the nature
Of the troubles rererrel to. 1t IS believed, how
ever, tnat they were OF a financial character. It
and that In STRIVING to extr1cate himself from his
dlhculties by specuiations IN Wall street he BE-
came plunged In deeper ones. His friends assert
the belief that these troubles preyed On his mind
until he became temporarily insane. Late yester-
day evening Sonora Barca ana her daughter ar
rived In New York In company with the Br.zi!ian
minister. Taey had not been toll OF the minis
ter's death, and when they learned Of 1t they
suffered the greatest anguish and are much
prost:ated.
SOMRTHlNG OF his HISTORY.
Senor Barca was 52 years old, Of me l!um height
Stout build and with a grayisl mustache. He " as
native OF Puerte Real, In the province Of Cad!z.
He was a lawyer by profession. At an early age
he entered polite, on the liberal side, AMI was
several times elected to the CorteS. H under
secretary o! the interior ut the time Of his appoint
ment as minister to this county. February II,
whore he entertained in tue most no o,piIabie man
her. His younger daughter, CarInella, WHO has
not yet reached her 1--WE atieth year, WAS noted as
one OF he bellies OF the capital Tae first secre-
tary OF legation arrived in New York last night
and the secretary OF the Spanish embassy also ar
rived from Europe on the steamer Galita.
Senor Don Francisco Barca received his creden-
t1als as minister plenipotentlary from Spain to
this country February 18th, 1881, and came here
here he became very popular in Society, and his
accomplished Wife and charming daughter were
especial ravorltes. He leaves one married daugh-
ter, who is living in Paris, besides his daughter
Carmella, who is engaged to young Cuban.
The fist secretary of the Spanish legation will
act as minister until King Alfonso appoints new
minister.
THE LATE MINISTER AND TIE LATE PRESIDENT.
Senor Barca was the last member of the dlplo-
matte corps officially received by President Gar
field. During President Garfelds illness he man.
1e iessed the deepest @ interest and called several
the Presidents condition. He was devoted Cath
olic and a regular attendant at St Matthew's
church.
THE NEWS A SURPRISE IN THIS CITY,
The news of the suicide OF Senor Barca created
great surprise in this city, where the de-
ceased was largely and favorably known. He was
a man that was personally very popular, and
those who met him speak with regret Of his sud-
aen M . death tn. He entertained modestly at his home
In this city, and while he hOSpitable he was
not lavish. His friends here DO not attribute his
alleged financial embarrassment to extravaganza
seem to he living beyond his means, and hts din
ners and receptions were only OF the character
winch could be expected for man in his position.
1t Is thought that while financial difficulties may
have had something to do with the resolution to
end his life there may have been some other cause
PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE ACT.
One OF Senor Barca's friends suggests theory
OF the suicide. He says that Senior Barca was a
warm-hearted man, and his domestic relations
were of the most delightful character. His affec-
tlOn for his wife was so strong that he was un-
hapr Tsa s IRON rom ner LOT even rev
family. When ordered to Washington, Senior Bar
ca came with the understanding that he was to re-
main but two years.when he proposed to return to
Spain. The two years expired recently. but Senior
Barca was Immediately reappointed. His family
had set their hearts on returning to Europe: they
who lives in France, and they resolved to 90, al
though the minister tried in va n to obtain a leave
OF absence His government reptile to his request
that, pending certain negotiations with the United
States, 1t desired him to remain in Washington.
He was very much annoyed by this, and his hot
Spanish blood grew re-tive under restraint On
July Goth he and his family left for Seabright to
visit friends. The SenOrS personal baggage, how
ever, was checked to New York. On Wednesday
next the minister's wife and daughter were to
have sailed for Europe. The theory OF his friends
Is that In state OF high nervous excitement, en-
gendered by the nearness OF their departure, he
took his lie.
FORMER SUICIDE RECALLED.
The suicide OF SenOr Barca calls to mind the fate
OF N. Provost Paradol, the French minister to this
country, who committed suicide here thirteen
years ago, upon the outbreak OF the FrancO-P -PruS-
sian war, the calamity that impended over France
having produced state OF great depression III his
mind.
Observation-Disclosures Attorney Wells and Mrs
Wells are at Saratoga for q stay OF several weeks
Mr. James F. Barbour and family were regis
tered at the Stockton Hotel, Cape May, on Satur-
day.--Ex-Secretary BristOw and family are at
Saratoga. Mr. Elam, the wounded editor OF the
Whig, has returned to Richmond.-W. Z. Mac
Bride; Washington correspondent OF the Cincin-
natl Enquirer, is at Congress Hall, Cape May.
with his family: Word comes from London that
Mrs Lppincott (Grace GresnwOod), who is now
v!ctorla.-Mrs Tweedale, wife OF the Chief
Clerk OF the War Department., is spending some
time at Asbury Park.-MrA C1ymer. who has
been ut the Isles OF Shoals for some tme has gone
to Mount DeseTt-Mr. Walter d. Davldge Is at
Narragansett Pier for o stay OF month.-Prof.
Gregory. OF the Civil Service Commission, has
gone 10 chicago Tor q short F1Sit.-JudRe Smell