New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-22
PART II.
PAGES II TO ID.
SUICIDE OF FRANCIS SPIES.
THE COMMISSION MERCHANT SENDS TWO
BULLETS INTO HIS BRAIN.

DISCOVERED BY HIS VALET DEAD IN THE BATH
RooM-A SUFFERER FROM THE GREAT HEAT
While suffering from alteration of mind. caused. It
Is believed by the excessive heat, Francis Spies, the
commission merchant, yesterday committed suicide.
Mr.. spies, who for years was well known 10 many
downtown bushes, men ConsuGenerai OF Ecuador,
| later as viceConsi of Honduras. and as the head
| OF the commission house, Marcia d Co., NO. 80
| Broad-st., lived under the happiest conditions Yet
early yesterday morning he ended his life WITH Two
pistol bullets.
Just a week ago his wife and daughters went
| to LOrhOn visit to his son. who IS employed IN
| the Portland Cement Works OF Andrew White, NJ L.
Besides himself. the only persons in his home, No.
"a East Fifty fth-st, at the time were MS valet,
Cornelius George, and his cook. Celia Eigel In tho
war Mr. Spies was wounded and later suffered a severe
sunstroke. The heat OF the last three days affected
him seriously. Although suffering from pains In the
head and general depression he kept vigorously TO nus
desk until a 80 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, when
he went TO his home. dispatch from his wife
announcing her safe arrival in London awaited him.
To this he wrote pply, and at O'Clock told George
to mail IL. Then he took walk In Central PARK,
and returning home went to bed at the usual hour.
At O'Clock yesterday George called by his
master, who told him TO prepare the BATH Inc
valet did so, and soon Mr.. Spies in his dressing
gown enter the bathroom and close the door Only
minute had elapsed when the silence OF the house
the bat broom door. opened it and went In. Lying
at the bottom OF the bath the body OF Mr. sples
the fingers Of the right hand cutchng svermOunted
revolver Two bullet holes In the right temple, one
Just over ear the other the eye, told where
the shots had struck him.
Dr. Joshua l.. Barton, who lives at No. 81 East
Fiftyffthst hurried to Mr. spes's side. but he was
already dead. letter was found addressed to
william Schwarzwader, a furniture dealer at Pearl
and Fulton SIS, and cousin OF the dead mans
wife. This letter, he had directed was not to be
mailed until to-day. When opened by Mr. schwartz
valdez II contained string OF rambling, incoherent
utternces, showing, however intention to commit
suicide.
Mr. Spies not only wealthy in his own right,
but his wife had Inherited 100000 from her father.
General Christian sChwarzwalder. who at one time
was president OF the CermaDa bank Mr.. spies
was born I'm brooklyn. and 5 already announced,
served In the Civil War At the time OF his death
he was a member OF the eth Regiment Veteran -Asso-
ciatiOn and a member Of the Lafayette Post Ahoue
twenty years ago he Joined the firm OF Marcial a
Six years later he purcha Led the Interest OF ms
partners, &. r. Dennis, G. Wright and John
Earcal, becoming head OF the house, which traded
largely in Honduras and south America. Mr. spies
w0s r, member OF the Chamber Of Commerce. the
Downtown Club. the Maritime Exchange the Demo-
cratic Club and the Tammany Hall General Committee:
At one time. TOO. he controlled the Panama star ana
Herald corporations. . A.,
Word Of her husbands death was sent to Mrs.
spies.