Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-04
DUMONT's SUICIDE.
How the EN Naval officer of New Or
leans Shot Hfmsolf Before His wife.

How the Ex- Naval officer of New Or
leans Shot Himsolt Before Ills wife.
The following particulars, i'm addition TO
those already mentioned IN the NEWS rel
alive 10 the suicide OF eN-Nsyal officer
Dumont, at New Orleans, are furnished
by special to the Hcraia: A. j. Du-
mont, late Naval Ohicer Of the port Of New
Orleans, aud for several years Chairman
OF the Republican state Executive Com
mittee, who committed suicide this after
noon at his home IN Alg,ers, one of the sub
urbs OF the city across the river, returned
from visit 20 his wifs's family in Pointe
C0upee parish yesterday apparently
ia good spirits. This morning,
however, be seemed much de-
pressed, and SAID TO his wife that
he had made up his mind 10 commit sui
eide. He took "A revolver from the bureau
drawer, but yielded 10 the eutreaties OF
his wife and LAID 10 on a chair. DumOnt
soon afterward left the house to deliver
some letters that he had written. His
wife took advantage Of the opportunity
and concealed the pistol In IA strong chest,
placing the key in her bosom. DumOut
returned to the house shortly after
O'Clock and inquired for his pistol after
again expressing n determination to Kill
himself. Mrs. DumOnt told him she had
concealed the weapon and would not give
it TO him, but incautiOusly re-
yealed the place Of concealment
and told where the key was deposited.
Dumont AT once seized her, took the
key from her person and opened the chest.
His wife screamed for assistance and
sought to prevent him from obtaining the
weapon, clinglng 10 him and entreatlng
him piteOusly not to do himself harm.
Being a man Of great strength, Dumont
easily put her aside, possessed himself OF
the pistol aud went into tue adjoining
room. His wife quickly followed, but as
she approached, the desperate man placed
the muzzle Of the pistol in his mouth and
discharged it. The bullet penetrated the
brain and death ensued almost inmedi-
ately.
PROMINENT POLITICIAN.
Dum0nt has been potable figure in
Louisiana politics for several years, hay
ing been the colOred leader of the old adj
ministratiOn wing Of the Republican
party since 1876. and for several years
Chairman Of the Republican State Com
mittee. He WAS born in Algiers 81 years
ago, his mother being a mulatto and his
father French physician. lie was very
light in cOlOr-almOst white. In COnnec-
ton with his suicide Is noted as a cOlnci-
dence that his grandfather committed sui
eide in Paris, and his father met death at
his own hands in the City OF Mexico. Du-
mont was we'll educated Ina France.
whence he went to Join the French
forces in Mexico. He was a
Lieutenant under Macmillan, aud did
gallant service for that ill-starred
monarch. After the death OF MaXmilian
DumOnt returned TO Louisiana, entered
upon political life, and soon gained great
influence among the negroes and in his
party by reason Of his ability and courage.
He did good service for what was known
as the custom house or administration
wing, and was rewarded with a number
OF lucrative Offices, the last being the
Naval Office, which he held for several
years and vacated upon the expiration of
the term several weeks ago.
TWO FAMILIES MORE THAN ENOUGH.
The cause OF the suicide is not posi-.
lively known. The letters Dumont wrote
just before the tragedy are thought tC
contain his reasons, but their contents
/ are "a yet unknown. At first it was be-
/ leved that financial difficulty was tht
/ cause, but as considerable sum Of money
about - 500 WAS found on his person
| this view is not now generally enter
tanned. Domestic troubles probably
caused the deed. Like many Of his race
DumOnt had two families. He lived with
his wife in Algiers and had "A mistress on
this side Of the river. The very genera
belief is that he took his life to escape
from the embarrassments of this dual re-
Iafipp