Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-20
BY HIS OWN HAND
Tragic Death of the Secretary Of the
Russian Legation.
His SUICIDE IN This CITY TODAY
Notes That Indicate That He Was
Weary Of Pain.
AN FECTIVE BULLET

At 10 o'clock this morning M. Pierre Bog
danoff, first secretary of the Russian en-
bassy, as he lay in bed in his lodgings on
H street near nth, called to his French
servant: "Babette, get me paper. The
faithful old woman went out on the street
to do the customary errand and In 1ew
minutes returned to find her Poor mes
sieur'' lying dead in his bed. His right
hand lay on his breast tightly clinched on a
silver-mounted revolver. Through the band
of his snow-white nightcap, over the right
temple, was a purpled. ragged, powder
burnt hole and on the brow and cheek was
a crimson splash of blood. NJ. Pierre was
dead, and death came by his own hand.
The shrieks of the poor old French ser
want called the landlady. and she quickly
summoned Police Sergeant Maddox. Word
was sent to Prince Cantacuzene, the Rus
sian ambassador, who soon arrived, ac-
companied by NJ. Botkine, the second Sec
retary of the embassy.
There was no evidence of any kind to ac-
count for the deed. Little was known OF
Mr.. Bogdanof even by his associate dipio-
mats They had known him for many
years only one whose name had been IN
the diplomatic service OF Russia, nrst IN
two years and since 1890 in Brazil. About
two months ago he was transferred from
Rio de JaneirO to Washington and maue
first secretary Of the embassy. Six weeks
ago he reported to the ambassador and
took pleasant apartments on IL street,
where he had three spacious rooms on the
first floor.
In person he was a TALL spare man of the
Partisan pattern, about forty-five years
old. with close-cropped iron gray hair ard
snow white mustache. With him he
brought the old French servant and many
trunks, which, when unpacked, served TO
pour forth an endless array of pictures,
books and bric-a-brac. which were placed
about his new home and gave 1t an air OF
refinement that bespoke the cultivated man
of the world. His manner was quiet, gem
tlemanly and somewhat reserved. He went
in and out, bee coming very little acquainted
with others in the house. To those asso-
ciated with him in the embassy he stamped
himself as a cultured man, thoroughly
companionable and entertaining.
Subject to Neuralgia.
1t soon became known that he was sub
tect to frightful neuralgia pain and when
the disease was upon him he suffered bit
terly. In the intermittent periods Of relief
he was cheerful and smiling. But his
landlady remembers this afternoon a
strange remark he made when he took the
rooms. He was pleased with their sunny
but remarked, as he said he would take
them Now, I'll stay her-till l die
For three hours today 90 explanation
could be found for the secretary's motive.
che old French woman kept wringing her
hands, the police watched the door, the at
taches came and went. Finally. Coroner
Hammett and Deputy Coroner GlaZebrook
came and took the statements of the ser
want the landlady and the officers. Dr.
Hammett gave a certificate in accordance
with the facts.
Two Explanatory Notes.
Thinking of some additional details Of
instruction to the officers he turned back.
when the old French woman darted to the
secretary's desk and snatched up two notes
lying under silver paper knife. She ex-
planned in French that she saw them there
Yesterday afternoon.
The coroner took the notes, but found
they were superscribed in Russian. The
long slender, gilt-bordered envelope bore
the Russian crest Mr. Botkine read them.
One was addressed simply ITO be opened y
The other said: For relatives The latter
was not opened The other when opened
contained long, gllded cara correspohu-
ing to the envelope, and upon 1t, in Rus
sian, ran the words: For long time,
dead soul, this body is all too heavy
burden to be carried. For this reason
destroy myself.
This gave the full explanation of the af-
fair M. Bogdanoff had decided deliberate
ly to release himself from the pain which
made life unbearable. He wrote the notes
during the day yesterday. The French ser
want saw them when she tidied his desk
and busted it. He went out on horseback
during the afternoon, enjoying the sunny
day the notes lying there the while. wholly
illegible in their Russian text to any
chance eye.
The Fatal Wound.
When the doctors examined the body
they found the bullet C}S-cal,ber) had gone
clean through the head and was buried in
the pillow. When found 1t was covered
with the down from the pillow. 1t filled
the cartridge shell found in the revolver.
The coroner turned the dead mans effects
over to M. Botkine, who receipted for them.
M. Bogdanoff was an unmarried man, and
has no relatives nearer than Moscow, where
live a brother and sister His parents are
both dead.
1t is known that NJ. Bogdanoff was born
in Moscow and graduated from the univer-
sity there. He was fond of the theater.
and only yesterday bought tickets to take
NJ BOtkins to the opera tomorrow night.
Prince CantacuZene cabled to the brother
in Moscow this afternoon, announcing the
sad affair and asking what disposition to
make Of the remains.