Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-25
SOLD A PICTURE AT LAST.
Artist Alexander Then Bought Poison
and Whiskey, and Died.


Henry Alexander a young Hebrew
artist, who came to this city from San
Francisco about a year ago, committed
suicide on Tuesday. says the New York
Sun, In a room at the Oriental Hotel.
Thirty-ninth street and Broadway. Until
diSpOsSessed "A few days ago he lived In
his studio, on the top floor Of the artists
building at 81 west Ninth street. He
studied his art In his native city under
Virgil Williams and Toby Rosenthal. In
1879 he went TO Munich, where he studied
under Raupp and Let's. After remaining
abroad for three years he returned to San
Francisco, where he made a speciality OF
painting Chinese and japanese interiors.
He was considered "A careful worker, and
his pictures sold regularly
This continued for n while after his ar
rival here. In a recent exhibition at the
Academy of Design he had a picture show
ing study of Roman glass IN the Metro
politan Museum. Gradually, however, the
sale or his paintings became less. He be-
gan TO dress shabbily, and borrowed small
sums from his fellow-artists AZ the
money was not repaid the lending finally
ceased HE sometimes spent whole day
without eating. The rent for the studio
EEL behind until the agent sent a notice
thdt, unless the money was paid, he
would have TO leave. To make matters
worse In his despair Alexander spent
what little money he got in drinking.
-Four months ago he began a large paint
Ing OF a scene In the Hebrew Orphan
Asylum. Those who saw II said that It
would be masterpiece. Through all his
hardships the artist worked on IL indus
triously. The picture showed the recep-
tlon-ofiice OF the asylum. In the fore
ground a man was seated at desk, over
winch hung a picture OF Jesse SelRgman.
Near the desk stood a woman dressed In
black holding BY the hand d little child
In the rear OF the Office an open door
showed the dornitory beyond. Just in
Al dTN ~ L
was watching the woman and the child
Behind the boy clustered dozen or more
orphans, while Just beyond was visible
z white statue OF charity, the figure
bathed I'm a flood OF sunlight
A few days ago. when Alexander reach
ed the top OF the narrow stairs which
the door. The. agent had become tired
or waiting for his money. A few minutes
iater some one passing through the hall
came across the artist sitting on the top
answer TO the others question he only
pointed to the paddock Then ne got IN
YEARLY and went slowly down the stairs
ON Saturday he went to the agent and
begged TO be allowed to get one OF his
paintings from the room. He said that
he could sell II for $50, and thus nav the
rent. Inc agent accompanied him 10 the
studio. where he stood for some minutes
phan Asylum. Then he carefully wran-
ped UP one or his pictures and left the
room. few hours later a fellow-artist
saw him leaving Fifth-avenue art store
with the picture still under his arm.
lie must have sold his painting for
something, FOR on Sunday night he got "a
room In the Oriental Hotel for which be
PAID In advance, and patronized the ba r
literally for the following twentyfoir
AT 4 O'Clock yesterday morning a SER
want VINO was passing the door heard
nm breathing hoarsely. When the door
was broken In the artist was uncon scions
on the bed. On table near by We're two
nsii-empty whiskey bottles and a fiask
when mad contained oxalic acid. Two
doctors We're hastily summoned. bur In
spite OK their efforts 10 save him ,ba
man died half an hour later wIthom, re
gaining consciousness. "' IT,
IT'S pody was removed to Winterhot
TOMS Slxth-avenue undertaking estsh-
iishment, and the police sent word on he
death TO San Francisco. A man wba
went TO see the body yesterday said Ia
nan known Alexander In California. He
was rich then, and had everything he