Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1891-10-05
BY HIS OWN HAND.


n. Klein, the San Francisco street
tailor, for twenty years an occupant OF the
Lamy block, just above the Exchange
hotel, went out into the mountains yes
terday and suicided by shooting The
body was discovered about II O'Clock by
Bernardo Gonzales, sheep-herier, and
his companions. The scene OF death was
in one of the foot hill canons east of the
city on the read to Aztec springs. The
body was cold and stiff when found, and
the shooting must have occurred early
yesterday morning.
Spread out on a newspaper near where
the body was found, were the remnants
Of lunch, some bread, fruit and bottle
half full of wine. Near by was a sack in
which the old man had carried his best
coat. In row and lying upon the ground
were small keen-bIaded Ratchet, razor
and a well sharpened butcher knife.
These weapons were evidently taken to
the spot for the purpose of giving the
suicide final choice of methods OF self
destruction, or probably laid out handy
for use in case the revolver failed to do Its
bloody work. Near the body was found
at 38-caibre Colt's double action revolver.
With this the eccentric, yet kindly old
Frenchman had taken his life. He had
showed the muzzle of the weapon far into
his mouth and pulled the trigger. The
ball crashed upward through his brain
and lodged just beneath the scalp at the
top OF the head. Death must have been
instantaneous.
The discovery having been reported to
the authorities, Justice Lucero empan-
nelled coroner's jury and proceeded to
the spot where an examination OF the sur
roundngs was made. The body was
then transferred to the undertaking rooms
of A. Z. Grigg & Co. !; a physl sum
moned, and the bullet cut from beneath
the scalp in the presence of the jury. At
10 o'clock this morning the jury met at
the JUSTICES office and returned verdl1t
of suicide.
Mr.. Klein was a native Of Belfort, on
the boundary line between Germany and
France. He spoke the language of both
these countries. His age was 81 years.
He was naturalized American citizen,
though was always very proud of France
and perused eagerly all the news from
that country. 1t has been suggested that
perhaps he was Boulangist sympathlzer
and was prompted to self-destruction by
the recent example of the dead general ;
but nothing is positive on this point. lie
had speaking acquaintance with every
body, but no chums, no close acqualnt-
ances. Early in life he came to America
and is said to have accumulated some
considerable money on the Montana from
tier, but he lost this and since coming to
Santa te, some thirty-three years ago,
has been in moderate clrcum-
stances, living alone in the rear
of his tailor shop. His intense
pride has often been remarked. lie
would never accept any favor; even il
invited to join in social glass of wine he
would accept upon one condition only
and that was that he be allowed to pay
for it. Another popularity OF his was
that, while he was always moderate
user of liquid stimulants, he could not
tolerate tobacco in any form. If a patron
entered his shop with lighted cigar he
would politely request him to cease
smoking, saying tobacco made him sick.
After paying rent for his place for twenty
years j. b. Lamy offered one day this
spring to give him free use of the shop
room this the old man spurned, saying
he would continue to pay his rent. AS
far as known he had no family ties either
in this country or in France. He had
little property beyond his clothing and
shop effects. The sheriff took charge Of
his shop and will foot the expense of the
burial. The body was inferred at 8 &c
| this afternoon,