The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-15
The Famous "DiamOnd King
Of South Africa
Leaps From the Deck of the
Steamer Scot
BOUND FOR LONDON
From CapetOwn, and Sinks Be-
meath the Waves.
His Suicide Due to I'll Health
and Financial ReVerses.

London, June 15.-A special dispatch
from Funchal, Island of Madeira, off
the west coast of Morocco, says that
on the arrival there today of the Brit
ish steamship Scott, which left Table
Bay CCape Town on June for South
ampton. it was announced that Barney
Barnato. the South African diamond
king" who was among the passengers,
had committed suicide by leaping over
board. His body was recovered
The officials of the Union steamship
company, to which the steamer Scott
belongs, confirm the announcement in
special dispatch from Funchal. Island
of Madeira that Barney BarnatO, the
diamond king committed suicide by
jumping overheard while that vessel
was on her way from Cape Town, which
port she left July for Southampton.
The death of Barney Barnato has
caused a sensation in financial circles.
His office here was beseiged this morn
ing by hundreds of eager inquirers and
even then his firm had not received
confirmation of the news. ThrOck-
mOrten street was filed with excited
crowds of brokers discussing the
news of BarnatO's death. His self de-
struction is generally supposed to have
been the outcome of his recent illness
at the Cape, which, according to ru
mOrs on the stock exchange. was in the
nature OF brain trouble The African
market, as result of the death of Bar
natO, was depressed today
BarnatO consolidated was % lower,
Johannesburg investments went down
4. De Beers mines went down 5-l6 and
Rand Mines were - lower
The Pail Mall Gazette this afternoon
commenting on the death of Barney
BarnatO, says he has been mentally un-
we'll for about three months and that
he has been under constant surveil-
lance.
New York. June 15.-The World says:
Els1rsr &c 4
These three words were flashed under
the ocean and over the wires from JO-
hannesbUrg to Miss Alice HOlbrOOk in
the Hotel VendOme.
Miss HOlbrOOk is the sister-in-law of
Barney BarnatO. the Kaffir king. Her
eldest sister married the great specu-
latOr when he first started in his mon
ey making career.
The news of the death came from a
sister who ranks in age between Miss
HOlbrook and Mrs. Barnato. She lives
in the Cape Colony.
From Madeira, where the ship touch
ed. the death message was Cabled to
South Africa where Barnato was best
known.
Miss HoIbrook to a World reporter last
night, and I shall go next week to join
her. She is the best sister that ever
lived and she needs my sympathy"
Miss IIOlbrOok was apparently un
nerved by the terrible news, but she
bore up bravely and from these words
spoken almost under her breath. it
showed that the end, while unexpected,
was not to be wondered at. She said:
He has lost loads and loads and
loads of money lately. No wonder he
committed suicide"
Miss HOlbrOOk says that Barnato's
fortune at the time of his death was
about 100000 pounds
DEALS OF THE SUICIDE.
F'unchal, Madeira, June 15.-The fol-
lowing details have been obtained of
IL
passage here from Cape Town. Bar
natO, who had been in i'll health for
some time past, seemed to improve
after leaving Cape Town, but he was
never left alone and someone was con-
stantly detailed to watch him. Yes
terday after lunch, between 2 and
o'clock in the afternoon, he seemed to
be in very good spirits and was walk
ing UP and down the deck on a passen-
gers arm. Suddenly BarnatO asked
his companion to tell him the time.
But before he received a reply he
wrenched his arm loose and jumped
overheard.
The fourth officer jumped overheard
after him Immediately, but he failed to
save the life of the South African spec
ulatOr, as heavy seas were running and
the vessel was steaming at the rate of
seventeen knots an hour. As soon as
possible the steamer was stopped, a
lifeboat was lowered and pulled to the
spot where the TWO men were last seem
The fourth officer was rescued in an
exhausted condition and later the body
of BarnatO was recovered floating head
doWnwards. His remains have been
en- balfned and will be taken to Eng
land on board the Scot. Mrs. Barnato
and her children were also on board the
Scot.
The Barnatos lived in Spencer House
for several years and We're returning
to occupy their gorgeous home, just
being finished on Park Lane, opposite
Stanhope Gate. The deceased specu-
two oh
rose, named after his first mine. and a
baby boy named Ladas Roseberv.
Although the stock exchange was ex-
cited by the news of Barnato's death
there was no panic The Barnato COM
panies were not allowed to fail much
before they found buyers The opin-
ion is expressed that the death of the
great South African speculator cannot
have much effect upon the market. as
Barnato has paid little direct attention
to business recently.