Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-10-29
POOR POURTALES.
The Famous Beauty Bowstrung,
Not Beheadsd.
HoR RlBLE De EATH
Devotion of a Faithful Body Servant
Begging MadIy to be Shot
10 Death.
SAD ENDING OF A ROMANTIC CAREER.

NEw YORK, October 2S.-The story OF
the tragic death in Japan of Mrs. John
Beecher, afterward the Countess Pourtales,
published yesterday, was the talk Of the
town. At the clubs and hotels knots OF
gentlemen were gathered together discuss
ing the details of her life and death
Every item was eagerly sought for, and
politics were left in the background.
1t tappears to have been known to few
of the unfortunate womans friends, but by
general acquiescence was kept as secret as
possible. Such story, abounding as it does
in tragic and romantic details, could not
long remain untold, and now that 1t has
reached print, many new and interesting
details will doubtless be disclosed. A prom.
inent banker OF this city, friend of both
Mrs Beecher and the Count. was called
upon by our representative and obtained
the following additional particulars as to
he manner of her death:
Mistress OF the prlrie hinlsler.
After Mrs Beecher, or the Countess, be-
came the mistress Of the japanese Prime
Minister she was informed that the custom
of Japan to reward the unfaithfUlness Of a
mistress with death would be observed
should she break her VOWS to the Prime
Minister The little woman laughed at the
warnings and said she would die in two
days natural death or by her own hand.
AS the mistress of the Prime Minister, one
of the wealthiest men Of Japan, her every
wish and caprice was granted. Not con-
tent with anything, however, she deserted
the Prime Minister and became the mistress
OF another officer Of the Japanese govern
ment and openly defed her former lover.
Fully aware that an attempt would be
made to kill her she always went armed
with body guard.
Among her many accomplishments she
had by daily practice made herself an ex-
pert shot with the pistol.
To all outward appearances she cared
naught for the impending and terrible death
which hung over her head and which is re-
garded as inevitable. None Of her gayeties
we're overlooked and she was daily seen at
the public places in company with men. .
Warned of Her Doom.
Advised to fly and seek safety in France
or America, she Indignantly declined FeaE
certainly was not one of her faults and her
courage was remarkable.
In less than two weeks after her desertion
The Prime Minister, leddo was excited by
runors of an attempt to kill the daring
woman, but which failed through the BRAY
cry and devotion Of her body servant, who
was seriously wounded, from the effects OF
which it was necessary to send him to the
hospital.
Left alone and without any one TO protect
her, the Countess still refused to take the
opportunity of flying, but remained and
nursed her wounded servant, whom she Wis
tied daily.
She Meets Her Death.
Towards morning a week later than the
first attempt two masked men obtained en-
trance 10 DeT Deu CuhluueI. VIC SOhSVhi
ing himself at the rear Of the room, the
other awoke and Informed her of the fate
which awaited her. Quickly drawing her
revolver from under the pillow, she attempt
ed to shoot, but the man stationed behind
was too quick for her. Overpowered and
at the mercy of the fends, she asked the
privilege OF being shot, but was refused
First gagging her to prevent any outcry
the wretches bow.strung her and pinioned
her arms.
The bow which crossed the back Of the neck
and the string which came under the chin
were then screwed tighter and tighter, until
the Countess died in terrible agony, and
her body was then Thrown into the river
where it was finally found.
Such was the fate of the woman who had
all Paris at her feet, who ruled Japan, ant
whe was the honored guest al the fireside'
of our best families.