The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-15
DIAMOND KINGS" SUICIDE
Excitement In London over Bar-
nato's Death-African Market Low,

ndto's Death-Ar1can Market Low,
lBy Cable to The Associated Press.l
LONDON, June Is, 1S97.-The officials of
the Union Steamship Company, to which
the steamer Scot belongs, confirm the
announcement made last night in a spe-
cial despatch from Funchal, Island of
Madeira, that Barney Barnato the
South African Diamond King commit
ted suicide by jumping overheard while
that vessel was on her way from Cape
Town, which port she left on June q,
for Southampton, via Funchal
The death of Barney Barnato has caus-
ed sensation in financial circles. His
office here was besieged this morning by
hundreds of eager inquirers and even
then his firm had not received confirma-
ton of the news
Throgmorton street was filled with ex-
cited crowds Of brokers, discussing the
news of the Diamond Kings" death
His self-destruction is generally sup
posed to have been the outcome of his
recent illness at the Cape. during which
private rumors on the Stock Exchange
indicated that the South African specu-
lator was suffering from brain trouble.
me African market, as result of the
death of Barnato, was depressed TO-DAY.
Barnato Consolidated was 3-8 lower.
Johannesburg Investment went down u.
De Beers Mines went down els. and
The Pail Mall Gazette, this after
noon, commenting on the death of Bar
ney Barnato, says he has been mentally
unwell for about three months past and
that he has been under constant SUPER
vision.
Mrs. Barnato and her children were also
on board the Scot.
The Barnatos lived in Spencer House
Tor several years and were returning to
occupy their gorgeous house, just being
finished, on Park lane opposite stanhope
Gate. The deceased speculator leaves
two children. Leah Primrose, named after
his first mine, and alb bay boy named
Although the Stock Exchange was ex-
cited by the news of Barnatos death.
there was no panic. The Barnato COM
fore they. found buyers
death Of the Great South African specu-
market, as Barnato recently has paid
little direct attention to business.
Details of the Tragedy.
[By Cable to The Associated Press.1
FUNCHAL, Island of Madeira. June
Is. 1SS.-The following details have been
obtained of the suicide of Barney Bar
nato, while on the passage here from
NtSRS - A0WA OA bOaIQ Tie Union Steam
ship Companys steamer Scot, which left
Cape Town on June q for Southamp-
Ton; via this port Barnato, who
months past, seemed to improve after
leaving Cape Town; but he was never
left alone, and some one was continu-
ally detailed to watch him Yesterday.
after lunch, between two and three
o'clock In the afternoon, he seemed to
ne IN very good spirits and was walk
Ing. up and down the deck on a passen-
ser's. arm. Suddenly Barnato asked his
companion to tell him the time.
But before he received re-
ply ne wrenched his arm away
and jumped overheard The Fourfh
officer jumped overheard after him inn
mfediiateiy. m Put ne failed to save the life
heavy seas was running and the Scot was
steaming at the rate Of II knots an hour
So soon as possible the steamer was
stopped, a life boat was lowered and
pulled to the spot where the two men
were ss last seen The Fourth Oficer was
later, the body of Barnato was recoyered cred
floating head downwards. His remains
have been embalmed and will be taken to
England on board the Scot. -