The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-09-30
The "Man on Horseback" CON-
mitS Suicide.
SENSATION In BRUSSELS.
HE SHOOTS HIMSELF ON THE GRAVE
OF NINE. eONNEMAlN.
someihing About the Troubled Career of
wouId-bo Military Hero-His Dis
appointments I'm Love and Glory
Were the Royalists In Boulanger's
Confidence?

Confidence?
BRUSSELS, Sept. 30.-Gen. Boulanger,
hero for few short months of the tickle
Partisan populace, famous as the man on
horseback" as a fugitive from justice, as
n silent deputy, as n seasick refugee cross
ing the channel, and finally as a member
of the colony of exiles here is dead.
"Le brav General" " died by his own
hand Since the death of Nine. Bonnie
main, his mistress, and the fading away
of his own dreams Of military and legisla-
tive glory, Gen. Boulanger has been a
moody, bitter and disappointed man. 1t
scarcely surprised his most intimate asso-
ciates when he was found to-day 10 have
committed suicide by shooting himself
through the head. Theatrical to the last,
the fatal act was committed on Mime. Bon
uemain's grave.
The General killed himself about noon
after standing some time by the grave Of
his mistress, apparently overcome by sor-
row The attendant who hurried TO him
after hearing the pistol shot found the
General dead on the ground. He had
placed the pistol 10 his right ear and fired
it, blowing out his brains.
The man whose brief career thus closes
was as remarkable "a character as has ever
troubled the destinies of France. That he
was not without real ability is shown by
the fact that he first came 10 notice
through admin trative reforms in the
War Department which made him the
idol of the soldiers The man on horse
back became a phrase full of hope TO the
Chauvinists. They looked upon him as
the new Bonaparte, and senseless music
hall ditty to an impossible tune put his
name in the mouth of every gamin in
Paris.
Gen. Boulanger could have had but little
stability of character, fof'his sudden popu-
larity completely turned his head. He be-
came arrogant, slothful, luxurious and
vain. He squanderod the treasures of
Mime, Bonnemain, he spent the price of
the Duchess dues jewels in secret in
triguc and senselcss extravaganza and
when that eccentric noblewoman sought 10
introduce him TO naughty mobiles of the
oRcicn regime in the Faubourg st.
German, and most of them turned dis
dainfully away from her salon, he had not
the wit 10 see that the few who did con
sent 10 meet him would probably alenato
his admirers who were earning few sous
day IN the East end.
If the old nobility and the Roy alist in
triguers could not meet Gen. Boulanger
socially, they could and did make use of
him as n tool TO further their ends. His
connection with the Royalsts and his ac-
ceptance from them Of financial aid com
pletely alienated his supporters at one
time numbered by millions, and revealed
him in his true colors, Tot rs the prophet
and leader of the RcCdnchc, but as a
gpla tiytr Ia. NsrffI ,sfsf
of further honors in his heated brain. And
when after his legislative career, which
opened most triumphantly, closed in dis
honor and he tossed groanipg on the chan
uel fugitive from justice, his property
coniscated and his dreams of glory for
ever shattered, there were probably few
people in France TO regret him.
\ single year covered the period of Bou-
langer's rise and fall In England he was
nobody, in spite OF his desperate efforts
10 establish "A sort Of mimic court. In
Brussels he found a rather more kindly
reception, but even here the sympathiZers
of France felt that in dealing SO firmly
with the case the government had de
yeloped unexpected strength.
Gen. Bouanger was never i'm any mill
tary engagement Of any importance. lie
fought small sword duel with NJ
Floquct, n civilian, and was wounded-a
circumstance which added To his discom-
future. His wife, under the recent French
divorce law, has sued for divorce To save
her interest in his conliscated property.
Mime. Bonnemain squandered her entire
fortune of 81 10000 upon Boulanger. She
accompanied him 10 England when he
fled, and again to Brussels, where, after
brief illness, she died of consumption ON
July II.