The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-19
Is East Washington Street.
A STORY OF BLOODY REVENGE.
A Triple Tragedy Revived by Legal Quarrel
Over Division of q Large Estate.


New YORK, Oct 1s-The wills Of Rubustiano
Herquss and his wife, Auita De Rivas Herquss,
which were fled yesterday in the surrosats's
court, by the executors. Couders Brothers,
marked tho closing acts Of a tragedy enacted
last March, at Monte Carlo. Both testators, who
were for long time residents OF this city, met
their deaths at the hands Of the husbands
brother, who sfterward killed himself. About
twelve Gears ago Robustiano De Herquss and
his younger brother, Roeslio. were partners
in commission business in Pearl
street. this city, left them by
their father. Rogelio was about nineteen years
old and inexperienced in business. and it is said
permitted Robustsno to have full control Of the
firms affairs Reverses came and failure soon
followed, and a. q result Rogelio, whose entire
fortune consisted Of bis interest in the business.
WAS left pennless. The blow which fell so
heavily upon the younger brother did not so
seriously affect Robustiano, who, By outside in
vestments, had succseded In sccumulaIine q
competency. Because Of this fact Roselio de-
elared as unfair his wealthy brothers action in
shouldsring only half the loss and charged him
with taking advantage OF his youth and inex-
perience to advance his own intererests. On
several occasions he reminded Robustiano Of
what he considered his moral obligation to aid
him, but to al entreaty Robustiano turned
deaf ear. The idea that his
brother had dealt unfairly with him
case, IL unsettled his mind and he followed Ro-
bustiano from place 20 place, threatening TO kill
him unless he got what he considered bis rights.
No distance was too great to cut of the young
- L. ~ x~oI ID 49,, 10
no and wife aboard French steamer and start
led them the first day out by suddenly appearing
before them In the saloon. During the voyage
TO Hsvre he continued his threats Of revenge SO
that Robustano WAS afraid TO remain above
decks after dark. About Sve years ago Rogelio
made unsuccessful attempt to shoot his
brother, and was handed over to the police.
Upon his promise to desiss In his mur6erous de-
signs his release was sscured, but he soon began
TO again molest his brother in the usual way.
As he had frequently done before,
Robustiano, with his wife, left secretly
for Europe about three years ago,
hoping to get rid of his troublesome brother.
They went to Monte Carlo and installed them-
selves in a handsome villa. which. 10 honor Of
his wife, was christened Villa Anita. For more
than two years they lived there happily, the
malignant Rogelio not putting In an appearance
They had forgotten about him. when one day
gentleman called and presented to the servant
q card bearing the name Rogeho Uroues. He
was received but not permitted TO make the
villa his homo. Although stopping at hotel
near by, he made frequent visits TO his brothers
house. and often diDed there. He did not at
first refer to the old trouble, but few days be-
fore the terrible tragedy he began to revert to
the old topic, and, 1t is said violent dissensions
between the brothers were frequent it was
during OF these ousrrels at the dinner
table that the tragedy occurred. A description
of it was obtained by Coudert Brothers through
agents of their Paris Office. servant OF
the Hsroues family says that while waiting at
the table she saw Rogelio draw two revolvers
from his pockets and slip themundes his napkin.
| 1t so alarmed her that she dropped plate Of
vlands 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, be said
she need not be alarmed about tho revovers, AS his
brother, the way to his hotel. had to traverse
| lonely road aud needed the weapons for his
| protection. Then Robustano returned to the
| table. and, ss he was about TO seat himself the
| girl says she saw Roeelio points pistol at his
brother, then heard the report, followed by the
| screams OF Mrs. Herques. Tho servant ont
| of the house TO tell the neighbors, and while
passing q window heard other shots. When she
returned with several neighbors. Mrs. Herques
| and her husband lay dead on the floor. MIR. and
Mrs Herques were each wounded in the fore
/ head. and Rogelio mad bullet hole In each
| temple. He had not ceased breathing when the
neighbors arrived, and clutched q revolver in
each hand. 1t 10 believed from this that he
| placed a revolver TO each temple and pulled the
| triggers simultaneously.
| So FAR as could be learned by the executors
| AGENTS who visited Monte Carlo, the fatal quar-
| rel aross over the fact that Robustiauo had
| made will in favor OF his wife, thus destroyiu e
! every chance for the brothers attainment of his
| alleged rights. By the will of Mrs Herques her
husband is made principal heir to 100000. o!
| when she held unsufruct possession during life
Both testators being dead. and under extraor-
| binary circumstances. there arises question OF
great Importance to the natural heirs of both
| who died lastl Mr.. Herques WAS heavily in
debt. and it is thought that, with his wife's
estate, he would leave little more than enough
to satisfy the creditors, so that the heirs hii
side would get nothing, oven were it shown that
he svas the last to expire. Coudert Brothers say
that they have positive proof that Mr.. Herques
died first, and the question OF survivorship car
be easily settled. His heirs are his mother
Inocencia Navaz De Herques, and sister. Luiss
De Herques Navaz, who live in Madrid, Spain
Messrs. Olcott, Mestre & Gonzales have charge
Of the interest of Mrs. Herques's heirs The lat
ter are six nephews and niecos children OF The
late Raymond De Rivas and Manuel De Rivas
and are living in this city.
|