The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-04
GEN. MARTIN BEEN.
His Death Thought to Have Been Accidental
His Gallantry on the Battlefield.

CHICAGO, May 3.-One of Gen. Martin Beeni's
most intimate friends received a telegram yes
terday morning stating that the General had
shot himself My Dispatch he said,
did not say whether he had shot him.
self by accident or with intent to COM
NIT suicide, but believe he did IL by accident.
The General has not been enjoying very good
health for some tins past and be was compelled
to travel q great deal about the country in
search of changing climatic conditions. The
report that he committed suicide on account Of
family troubles 10 considered untrue. Mrs.
Beems maiden name was Case. and her father
is the cousin of Racine's millionaire horse
owner and manufacturer, j. /. Case. She was
living with her father and mother at Neenah
and Menasha, where she met General BEEN,
nearly seven years seo. Their marriage fol-
lowed shortly afterwards The General al that
time was forty-six years old. and Mrs. BEEN
was only twenty-six"
General BEEN was q member Of both the Ti-
nois and Union League clubs. and he always
took an active interest 10 their affairs. HIS
title OF general was one that given by his
friends. and not one that he won in the army,
where his rank was captain. The particuIar
feat of gallantry which won him that rank WAS
related by a friend last night as follows: BEEN.
when the battle began, was ASST gned to head
quarters, where he was ordered to remain at
all hazards He watched the battle with eager
interest and saw every move that the two
conflicting sides were making. Finally, when
he saw his own comrades falling back before
the rebel shot and shell, he could restraint HIM
self no longer. Selling o flag that was tied TO
q tent, he wrapped it around his body, and then,
regardless Of his orders, he sprang in front Of
the broken columns Of blue. He tore the flag
loose, waved it around his head, and, with q
cheer Of defiance, made for the advancing rebels
mighty cheer from the tired and nearly dis
couraged soldiers answered mis- own. The lines
closed up as if by magic, and the retreat became
Q victorious advance, for Sherman gained q tenn
porary victory. "Old Tecump" saw Beems gal
liant act, and he told General Grant of 1t and
recommended that the young lieutenant be
made q captain on the field, and the recon-
mendation was carried out
A client of General BEEN. speaking of the
suicide to an Evening Journal repor ter to-day,
said II always supposed that the relations of
General BEEN and his wife vere OF the most
friendly and loving charae ter until about, a
couple OF months ago, whom went into the Cen
erals office. found him reclining on o sofa.
He lay with a handkerchief in his hand. which
he had to his mouth, as he was taken with q Sc
vere coughing spell / asked him if he was
sick aud he replied, Yes, both in body and soul.
Look at that he responded. showing me bis
handkerchief. which WAS saturated with blood.
l asked him what was the matter, and he told
me that his wife had taken her business out Of
his hands, and he expected she was going to
sue for q divorce. asked him y what
was the matter and why she wanted to
get q divorce, He replied: do not
know; she has no grounds In the world, unless
she manufactures them. / have done every
thing on earth could for her. / cannot stand
much more Of this. This trouble is either going
to kill me. or am going to kill myself. Mrs.
BEEN went to Europe soon after this cenversa-
ton. and when she returned he told me it was
all right; that his wife was not going to apply
for divorce. He said was the only ono he
had ever told of his family troubles, and he wa
sorry now he had told me. He would not have
done so if had not called in just then. He die
not think she loved him, and that was the canss
of all the difficulty. He said she had no caus. t
be jealous but she simply wanted to get rid u
him. His business affairs bothered him. and he
wanted her to help him out. and she would
not. She had plenty of property
She lived with him very little.
She went to Europe and remained there for q
year, coming back last summer Then sht
spent large part of her time out at the ranch
and when she came back from there she went
was in year ago would have made it not sur
prising II he had committed suicide then. hat
occasion to see him last week, and he was Their
preparing to 60 off to Nebraska He was just
finishing very long letter to his wife, and
believe now it was written her in desperation. In
il he notified her be was going to see her. HI
left here Saturday, and when he got there hii
father-in-law told him his wife had gone to Chi
cago. On hearing this he shot himself. have
never seen his wife but once, but 1 understand
she is an accomplished, lively, jolly woman, who
liked good company. To outward appearance
they were very loving, happy couple"