Omaha daily bee., 1888-09-16
HE DREW THE BALL OF DEATH
Three Years from this Date ! VIII
Kill Myself"
BARoTAY KEPT THE COMPACT,
The Sensational Suicide OF the Young
Hungarian in Chicago, the
Carrying Out of Pledge
of Honor.
He Fulfilled His Promise.

In the reports which have come TO this city
of the suicide of Gers Barothy, formerly OF
Omaha, disappointment IN love was assigned
as the cause of the melancholy act. Recent
disclosures, however, prove that such was
not the case The publication in THE BEE OF
the unfortunate act attracted the attention
of thousands and among them two
brothers of the deceased. These
came to town yesterday and were met by
BEE reporter. The elder of the two is a mag.
nifcent looking man, named X. Barothy.
He is the agent at West Point, in this state,
for the Liningcr Metcalf Implement company
of Omaha. The other is quite n young man
named A. Barothy, and is n drug clerk in
Wisncr, also in this state.
Both were greatly overwrought in
tearfuliy produced evidence to show
that their brother had not killed himself be-
cause of an affair OF the heart. The evil
dcnce came, as it were, from the grave, be-
cause it was couchcd in words written by the
deceased on the 18th instant, on the day OF
his death. The letter was received yester-
day 1t was written upon mourning Gote
paper and enclosed in an envelope with
deep black margin. 1t was lengthy mis-
sive, in the Hungarian language, and was
written in II bold and firm hand. IL told OF
the intended suicide, and stated the act was
in recognition of his pledge to kill himself,
gwen three years ago, III his native land, TO
an enemy with whom he had personal
quarrel.
Young Barothy was Hungarian. He
possessed the indomitable spirit peculiar TO
his race. His personal honor was dearer
than life itself. Three years ago on the 18th
of this month he was mortally offended by
an officer in the army at home. He chal-
lenged the soldier. The challenge was ac-
Ccpted with the usual privilege of selecting
the weapons or the means to be used of sat-
isfying the honor of both parties.
In Hungary there are three methods allowa-
bic in such events, the sword, the pistol, or
what is termed the "Amcrcau plan" This
consists in each party drawing one Of two
balls, IA white or black. The man who draws
the black ball is bound to dispose of himself
either by shooting, hanging, drowning, or
any other manner which may be decided upon
by the challenged party before the balls are
drawn. Barothy drew the black or unlucky
ball. 1t had been agreed that the drawer OF
the unlucky one should kill himself by shoot
ing on the third anniversary of the duel
That anniversary took place lasb
Wednesday. That night Gers walked
to the shore of Lake Mich
igan, in Chicago, and, in remembrance
of his word and homer, sent three bullets into
his body and died.
For three years the fate that rested in his
own hands seemed to have cast a shadow
over his life, which was dispellcd only when
IN the company of genial companions. And
yet, not a mortal knew Of the cause Of his
dispondency save his adversary and the seq
onds in the duel. But the gloom was not
sufficient to deter MIN from the keeping Of
his promise. When he was leaving
Omaha he did not call on his
brothers because, rs he said in his
| letter TO them, he feared their influence and
that it might induce him to remain in Omaha.
| Once. while visiting his brother in West
| Point, both took Il drive. The buggy was
upset and Gers was injured. The elder
brother wept over him in his pain, but Ocrs
bore his injuries bravcly and wished that he
| had been killed. On the day of his death,
| Gers bought box of mourning stationery
| containing twelve envelopes and sheets OF
| paper. Yesterday the box was for
warded to the brother at West
| Point. In it were only four sheets
| and envelopes. The others had been used in
| notifying his brothers. his adversary and the
| seconds in his duel. of the approach of his
death. With those envelopes came all the
| photographs he had been given by his
brothers and those by Henry Pundt of this
| city. one of which was that of the latter's lit
| tie daughter whom Gers greatly admired.
| He stated that he did not fear to die aud that
| he did not want his brothers to doubt him be-
| cause he died in defense of his honor and his
| word.
Mr.. X Barothy said that Mrs. Sherwood
| had in no manner influenced his brother 8
| suicide and the reason he had not returned
| her photograph was lest the act would lead
| to II suspicion that something was wrong and
| that he might be sought and prevented from
| accomplishing the act which he thought pre-
| served the honor of himself and family.
When the excitement incident to the sui
| eide shall have subsidized the remains will be
| disintcrred and buried in Fremont in this
| state.
=