New-York tribune., 1886-01-19
A LAWYERS TROUBLE ENDED
PREFERRING DEATH TO THE JAIL.

SENDING A BULLET TO HIS HEART-THE CULMiNA-
TIoN OF A SERIES OF MIsFoRTUNEs.
Charles III. Bertrand, a lawyer, who has been
involved in considerable amount OF litigation In the
Brooklyn courts defendant, ended his troubles BY
suicide yesterday afternoon when about to be taken to
the Ramona Street jail prisoner He was fftynve
years Of age Frenchman by BIRTH and Of late had had
no fixed home having been recently patient IN st.
Catharnes Hospital In May Of last year he was ar
rested at the instance OF named Maurer, OF East
New-York, who charged him with stealing $1l4. The
sent to the Kings County Court OF Sessions and
he was released In 81 600 ball. which furnished by
Mrs. Cathsrne W. Zelss, OF No. 80 Kossuth Place.
Brooklyn She is the divorced wife Of Charles Haaft
who had several against nertrand in the courts
One Of these for perjury swearing that he owned
property when I'm fact no owned none Bertrand de-
carod that he the at the request OF
Haaft final hearing to have been given satur
day.
Bertrand had been living Mt the honso OF Mrs Zess.
She noticed last that he acted strangely and feared
that he ntanded leave the State In order to secure
herself from loss she determined surrender the bonds
which she had given. Bertrand heard that bench war
rant was to be secured. and on Sunday he induced
friend, Albert B1hse, OF No. $50 Sixth formerly
OF his clients to intercee for him with Mrs Zess
aud induce her TO change her purpose. Buhse not
successiu and Bertrand stayed at his house all night
lie appeared melancholy and said he would rather die
than go to jail Yesterday morning deputy sherif
went to Buhses house with warrant for the arrest Of
Bertrand, but Buhse told him that Bertrand had gone
away earlier After the officer OF the law had gone.
taking street In Ffthave., Bertrand and Bnhse
started down town. going by Seventh-ave. car The
take the track for distance after reaching
flstbnsh and Fifth aves and Buhse saw the deputy
sbbr IN the next To She they were In. To throw
him off the track Buhse left the car, having
arranged with Bertrand meet him Mt Front and
Adams sts. When Bertrand reached that point
he met Mrs.; Zes;' to to- his rs, surprise; np ana ana
and sent TO the ct-Atorneys office. He was then
taken before Judge Moore and remaIdcd 90 the Jail.
Deputy Sheriff i;hattgan took him IN charge and Ber
trspd asked TO get something 10 eat Rhattigan took
him the beer-shop OF Frederick often. at No 34S
Fultonst. After eating sandwich Bertrand walked
minutes layer II his prisoner all right, and
Bertrand begged him 10 ask Mrs. Zcrs to give bail for
him again. This the officer promised 10 do. He had
than closed tho door when he heard the sound
OF pistol He opened tho door hastily and found that
Bertrand had shot himself and had fallen down dead
The bullet entered his heart Only one Of tho five cham
bers of his revolver was empty In his pockets were
thirty cents and papers. His body taken
TO tho MOrgue.
Bertrand was regarded pcttlfoG-
gng lawyer and had any important
He OF good presence. and IL ls not
known that he bEd family. One Of the cases which
he lost In the Brooklyn City Court suit brought by
Buhse against Henry Blancke TO recover damages tor
the loss OF the services OF his daughter whom Bancke
betrayed under promise OF marriage The fact OF the
betrayal proven. but verdict given for the de-
fspaant Bertrand counsel for Mrs. Zeiss who,
the death of her Hrst husband married Hnaft;
when she secured divorce from him she resumed her
she had bonds for him amounting In the aggregate
10 Sli, 900.