St. Paul daily globe., 1886-03-06
A MYSTERIOUS MAN.
Thought by Some TO Have Been a
Communist in France.
He Commits Suicide by Pressing a
Knife Through His Heart.

Some years ago a strange FTenehman,
named j. w. Arthur WarnOt, arrived at
Seguin, in the vicinity of San Antonio,
Tex, bought farm and settled down TO
work. There was with him beautiful
young French woman whom he claimed as
his wife. He was a mysterious, uncom-
municative sort of a man, and rumor soon
had it that he was one of those impulsive,
remarkable characters that France alone
produces, who had been in her navy, had
become a man of mark, but, for political
reasons, was compelled to abandon his
country
AND LIVE IN EXILE.
He seemed to be intensely fond of his
pretty wife, who, however. being unable to
learn the English language, became home
sick and went back to France.
After remaining away awhile she re-
turned, accompanied by her sister, and the
two Joined their entreaties to persuade him
10 go back with them to the land they
loved best. For reasons best known to
himself he was firm in his refusal, and
again the young wife departed from the
Texas farm. never to return.
This appeared to cast a shadow over the
deserted husband, who soon wearied of the
life that was left to him, sold out his farm.
and about two years ago came to New
Orleans. He took room at Miss Belle
Bemlss', 90 st. Louis street. He had
money, is supposed to have written TOR and
corresponded with some papers, but led
such
QUIET, SILENT, sPEECHLESs LIFE
that no one ever got an insight into his real
history, character or personality. What
ever the ups and downs, the lights and
shades of his life had been, he had hidden
them in the inscrutable recesses of his
heart, not letting them out even when
he had punctured that organ of life and
secrecy. He left no record. no sketch
of his career, although to some ex-
| tent a professional literateur. His expe-
rience had evidently been q sad one, unre-
Quilted to the degree that his spirit longed
for, so he cut it short with the glittering
steel. and expired a suicide. He kept
alOOf from everybody, and gradually became
more moody and secret in his ways. He
was a great reader and had select Ii
brary. a few days ago he offered TO sell
it to an acquaintance who keeps a)boOk-
store, but changed his mind and retained
| his books.
He had been complaining of feeling un-
well, and yesterday morning at 10 o'clock
ended the story of his life by forcing the
blade of huge clasp knife through his
/
had prepared for it. The five-inch blade
had been ground to a nicely. the edge
like that of razor, the point
needle-ll like. and he felt for the spot
just below the left nipple and drove it un-
erringly in. He knew there would be blood
| flowing or tTickling out from the oriiice
made by the incision of the weapon, so he
spread fur rug over the portion of the bed
where he lay down on the broad of his back
to commit self-deStructiOn. Having COM
pleted his preparations, he consummated
the deed.
| DRAWING THE KNIFE OUT,
he laid it alongside of him, but death was
not instantaneous, and he began to groan.
| The inmates of the house, hearing the
noise, rushed TO his room. and by main
strength forced open the door. which he
had not only locked. but placed a heavy
armoir against it also. He was in the
thrOes of death, and the bloody weapon lay
by his side, telling the tale of it all in un-
mistakabIe though silent signs. Only a
moment more and the man of mystery was
dead.
He left the following note in French for
those who should find him:
Do not look for my papers or for my
| money. / have destroyed all, fearing that
my enemies might fiud their profit. They
have sufficiently despoiled me. They will
have nothing more. AS for me, L have
enough of life. am infim, old, discouraged
what can do in this world? Let me die in
| peace.
Tae sale o. my trunks and their contents
| will be sufficient TO bury me. The key is on
| my person.
This was the message that he left. wrote
it out after his resolve had been made, and
then stabbed himself into eternity.-New
| Orleans Times Democrat