The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-19
READS LTKB A ROMANCE.
Who Died Last, is the Problem
for the Herques Heirs.
THE MONTE CARLO TRAGEDY
And tile Complications Resulting
Thcrefrom-A Triple Crime that
Startled Upper Circles Last
aIarcli-story and Sequel.

NEW lORk, Oct. lo.-1ne Wills
Robustiano Herques and his wife, Anti
De Riyas Herques, which were filed yes
terday in the Surrogate court by tn
executors, Coudert Bros, marked th
closing acts of tragedy enacted las
March at Monte Carlo. Both testators
who were for long time residents o
this city, neither death at the hands o
the husbands brother, who afterwart
killed himself.
Abodttwelye years ago Robustiano d.
Herqnes and his younger brother
Rogelio, whose entire fortune consisted
OF his interest in the business, was left
penniless. The blow which fell SC
heavily upon the younger brother did
not so seriously affect Robustiano, who
by outside investments had succeeded
in accumulating competency. Because
of this fact, logelio regarded as oi
hoartless cruelty his wealthy broth
cr's act in shouldering only half the
losses, und charged him with taking adj
vantage OF youth and inexperience to nd
vance his own interests.
On several occasions lie reminded
Robustiano, OF what he considered his
moral obligation to aid him, but TO all
entreaty, Robustiano turned deaf ear.
The idea that his brother had dealt un-
fairly with him grew upon Rogelio until,
so say the lawyers in the case, it unset
tied his mind and he followed Robus-
tiano from place to place threatening to
kill him unless he got what he consider
ell his rights. No distance was too
great to cut of the young man in his
pursuit. Once he followed Robustiano
and his wife aboard a French steamer
aud startled them the first day out by
suddenly appearing before them in the
saloon. During tho voyage to Havre he
continued his threats OF revenge so that
RobustiNno was afraid to remain above
decks after dark. About five years ago
Rogelio made unsuccessful attempt to
shoot his brother and was handed over
to the police. Upon his promise to de-
sistin his murtlerous designs his release
was secured, but lie soon began to again
molcst his brother in the usual way.
Robustiano, with lis wife, left secretly
for Europe, about three years ago, hop
ing to yet rid OF his troublesome brother.
They went to M0Ht0 Carlo and installed
themselves in u handsome villa, which,
in honor OF his wife, was christened
Villa Anita. For moro than two years
they lived there happy, the malignant
Rogelio not putting in an appearance.
They had forgotten all about him,
when one day n gentleman called and
presented to the servant card bearing
the name Rogelio Eerques. He was re-
ceived, but not permitted TO make the
villa his home. Although stopping at n
hotel near by, he made frequent visits to
his brothers house and often dined
there. He did not at first refer to the
old trouble, but a few days before the
terrible tragedy he began to revert to the
old topic, and it is said, violent dissen-
sions between the brothers were fire.
quent. 1t was during one OF these quar-
rels ut the dinner table that the tragedy
occurred. A servant OF the Herques
family saw Rogelia draw two revolvers
from his pockets and slip them under
his napkin. 1t SO alarmed her that she
dropped u plate OF viands and ran in
terror TO the kitchen. Her master, not
knowing the cause Of her strange action,
followed her, and the girl told him
what she had seen. Wishing to quiet
her, he said she need not be alarmed
about the revolvers, as his brother on
the way to his hotel had to traverse Il
lonely road and needed tho weapons for
his protection. Then Robustiano re-
turned to the table and as he was about
to seat himself, the girl says she saw
Rogelio point n pistol at his brother,
then heard the report, followed by the
screams OF Mrs. Herques. The servant
ran out OF the house to tell the neigh
bors, and while passing window heard
other shots. When she returned with
several neighbors, Mrs. Herques and her
husband lay dead on the floor. ,Mr. and
Mrs. Herques were each wounded in the
forehead and Rogelio had bullet hole
in each temple. He had not ceased
breathing when the neighbors arrived,
and clutched revolver in each hand.
1t is believed from this that he placed u
revolver to each temple and pulled the
triggers simultaneously.
So far us could be learned by the ex-
cutors agents who visited Monte Carlo,
the fatal quarrel arose from the fact that
Robustiano had made will in favor OF
his wife, thus destroying every chance
for the brothers attainment OF his al
legged rights. By the will of Mrs. Her
ques, her husband is made the principal
heir to 100000, OF which she held
possession during her life. Both testa-
tors being dead and under such extra
ordinary circumstances, there arises q
question Of great Importance to the nat
ural heirs OF both-who died last. Mr..
Herques was heavily in debt, and it is
thought that, even with his wife's estate,
he would leave little more than enough
to satisfy the creditors, so that the heirs
on his side would get nothing, even were
it shown that he was last TO expire.
Coudert Bros. say that they have posi-
tive proof that Mr.. Herques died first,
and that the question OF survivorslip
can be easily settled. His heirs are his
mother, lnocencia Navaz De Herques,
and sister Luisa De Herques Y'Navaz,
who live in Madrid, Spain. MeSsrs.
Olcutt, Mestre and Gonzales have charge
OF the interests OF Mrs. Herques' heirs.
The latter are her six nephews and
nicces, children OF the late Ramona De
Rivas and Manuel De Rivas, and are
living in this city.
Not Worth Answering.
CHICAGO, Oct. lS.-"I do not consider