New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-23
TRIED TO DIE WITH HIS WIFE.
RExACH ATTEMPTED SUICIDE WHEN
DISEASE OVERCAME HER.
HAILED COAL GAs-NOw IN ST. vINCENTs
HOSPITAL-Hp CAME OF GOOD SPAN
IsH FAMILY AND HAD BEEN IN

lSd FAMILY AND HAD BEEN IN
GOOD CIRCUMSTANCES.
peculiarly sad case Of attempted suicide oc-
Cured in poorly furnished rooms the third
floor OF the tenement-house, No. 343 West
Twelfth-st., yesterday, when Antonio Rexach, q
Spaniard, sought to end his life by inhaling coal
gas account OF the death Of his wife, Encarna-
ton. who had been III for many months. He was
found almost unconscious at the feet of his dead
wife. and was removed in ambulance to St
v.ncent's Hospital in custody of policeman.
It appears from Official investigation that
Rexsch's father. who was well-to-do merchant
in Barcelona, Spain. died there about ten years
ago, leaving his property to his widow and his
sonS Antonio and Joaquin, Jointly. The two
brothers opened a perfuniery store in Madrid,
but were unsuccessful About seven years ago
they came to this city with their mother and
the wife Of Antonio. a pretty Spanish girl. who
had been married to him about one year before
in Madrid. The family had money and credits
amounting to a considerable sum, They went to
live ct the Hotel Amerique, Fifteenth-st and
Irving Place. At the end OF two years the money
and credits were exhausted. Another legacy OF
$4,000. which they then received, supported the
family for twelve months longer. and at tha end
Of that time the mother and her son Joaquin re-
turned TO Spain.
AIDED WITH MONEY FROM SPAIN.
Antonio and his wife. who were LEFT here. re-
ceived remttances from Spain at intervals for
about two years and then the money stopped.
The couple then moved to the house in West
Twelfth-st.. and Antonio obtained work at max
ing cigars. while his wife did embroidery work
a strike Of Spanish cgarmakers threw Antonio
out Of work, after which he was frequently AS
sisted by his aunt. Mrs. Florita Palma. OF No.
2S5 Bleeckers
Mrs Rexach having fallen III was taken TO
Bellevue Hospital, where it was found that she
was suffering from cancer. An operation faiied
to relieve her. and after few weeks she was
discharged as incurable. She returned to her
husband. who became melancholy and depressed,
and frequently told his aunt that he would not
survive his wife.
Henry Wolf. who livei next door TO Rexnch.
went 10 tho rooms yesterday to inquire after
Mrs. Rexsch's health. but when he knocked on
the door he received no answer. He called IN
Policeman La Rue, who entered n window CT
Rexach's rooms. When La Rue opened tho
window he was nearly overcome by coal gas.
but he soon entered and found Mrs Rexach
dead In bed, and her husband lying across her
feet breathing feebly. From the stove volume
Of coal gas was escaping. The policeman sum-
moned an ambulance and the uncon scious man
was taken to st. Vincents Hospital. a prisoner
for attempted suicide.
CAREFULLY PLANNED FOR DEATH
An examination Of the room showed that
Rexach had carefully prepared to die. Every
aperture in tbs room was covered with pnpor
pasted with cigar-makers' glue Elk letters ly
Ing on the table were found to be addressed to
Senora IA. c. NJ. Rexach, in care OF the post
msster, Madrid Mrs F1orita Palma Rexach's
aunt; Sehor D. Joaquin ReXach brother OF An
tonic at No. 12 Gale de Ia Cucia, Ciudad Real
Spain; Dr. L. J. Sarabous No. 100 Waverlev
Place; The Coroner" and Henry Wolf. from
whom Rexach rented his rooms.
The letters were taken by the police and were
handed over to Coroner Fitzpatrick late last
night The only one at first opened was that
turned II to Sergeant Tierney. 1t told. however,
the story of Mrs. Rexach's death and her hus-
hands attempted suicide. MY wife" the letter
ran, died in my arms asbI was giving her
some beef tea early this morning. ! have re-
peatedly told you that I did not intend TO
survive her, and keep my word. Thank you
for all you have done for mo. and goodby."
VOLTS envelope. which was opened by him
subsequently. was found TO contain only ss TO-
a payment account Of $ll5 due from Rexach
for rent II Rexach he Will receive
him by his relatives in Spain.
Tne hospital physicians think he has
chance Of getting well
Coroner Fitzpatrick at first thought that
Mrs Rexach's death might have been due to
asphyxiation. and had his deputy. Dr.. Donn,
make an autopsy, which. however. showed that
she had died from natural causes.