The morning news., 1888-07-10
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E. j. AC0STA A SUICIDE.
MONEY MATTERS DROVE HIM TO
THE RASH DEED.

a Bullet Fired Into His Brain in q
Hotel at Birmingham His Popularity
in the Home of His Adoption-The
Remains Shipped to Blackshear for
Burial.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA, July 9-This morn
Ing at 10 o'clock the guests of the Palace
Royal hotel were startled by the sharp
crack Of pistol. Mrs. Wigginton, wife Of
the proprietor, who occupies room in the
hotel adjoining that of E. J. Acosta sent
immediately down stairs for her husband,
who came up with E. 3. Addison, the clerk
of the hotel. They went to Mr. Acosta's
door and tried to effect an entrance into his
room, but. it being locked, they went round
to the window, which opened on the gallery.
IN POOL OF BLOOD.
On raising up the curtain he discovered
his lifeless body on the bed in a pool Of
blood. When discovered he was nearly
dressed, having on white shirt and dark
pair of pants, but having left off his coat
and vest. He was lying perfectly fiat on
his back with his limbs close together and
his hands gracefully folded over his breast,
holding in his right the 3s-caliber Smith 6S
Wesson revolver with which the deed was
committed.
The ball entered the right temple and
passed directly through the base of the
brain, coming out on the opdosite side Of
his head. just behind and little above the
right ear
DEATH INSTANTANEOUS.
His position in bed showed that death
must have been instantaneous, and that he
did not move after the fatal shot was fired.
Mr. Acosta returned from business trip
to Talladega on Thursday last. Since that
time he has kept pretty closely to his room,
but went to East Lake last evening with a
party of gentleman to take bath. He was
apparently in his usual health and spirits
and gave no intimation to anyone that he
contemplated tho commission of the rash
act.
FINANCIALLY EMBARRASSED.
His friends know of no very serious
troubles that weighed upon his mind,
though financial embarrassment is stated as
the cause OF the suicide.
1t is said that he was about to marry a
lady in Charleston, and all the arrange
meuts had been fully made for the wedding
Mr.. AcOsta has lived in the city for two
years, having moved here from Savannah.
he was well and favorably known in busi-
ness circles, and was at his death president
of the Alabama artificial stone company.
He was also an esteemed member of the
Jefferson volunteers, having been appointed
quartermaster, with the rank of first lieu
tenant, by the governor. His remains
we're shipped to Blackshear Ga, this after
noon, where his brothers and sisters re-
side, for interment.
Mr.. Acosta was a son Of Mr.. Eustace j.
Acosta, formerly Of this city, and was about
as well known as any man on Bay street.
He was for ten years or more a clerk in the
employ Of s. Guckenheimer 81 Co., whole
sale groceries, and afterward as one of the
firm Of Guckenheimer, Schwarz g. Co.
established a steam bread and cracker
bakery. On the dissolution of that firm
Mr.. Acosta continued the business for
time in his own name. and afterward as the
firm Of Acosta g. Einstein. In 1886 he
sold out his interest In the bakery and re-
moved to Birmingham, Ala, whore he or
ganized company to manufacture Pierce's
artificial stone. He was also, it is under
stood, engaged with others in the real es-
tate business, and had control of consider
able capital of parties in this city He was
about 40 years of age and a widower.