New-York tribune., 1897-06-16
THE SUICIDE OF BARNATO.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE DIAMOND
KINGS" DEATH.

FECTED-HIs WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE
ON BOARD THE STEAMER.
Funchal. Island of Madeira, June 15.-The fol-
lowing details have been obtained of the suicide
Of Barney Barnato while on the passage here
from Cape Town on board the Union Steamship
Company's steamer Scot. which left Cape Town
on June for Southampton, via this port. Bar
nato, who had been in ill-health for some months
past. seemed to improve after leaving Cape
Town. but he never left alone. and some one
was continually detailed to watch him. Yester-
day, after luncheon, between 2 and 3 o'clock in
the afternoon, he seemed TO be In good spirits
and was walking up and down the deck on
passengers arm. Suddenly Barnato asked his
companion to tell him the time. But before he
received a reply he wrenched his arm away and
jumped overheard. The fourth officer jumped
overheard after him Immediately. but he failed
to save the life of the South African speculator.
as heavy seas were running and the Scot was
steaming at the rate Of seventeen knots an hour.
AS as possible the steamer was stopped
lifeboat was lowered and pulled to the spot
where the men were last seen. The fourth Of
ficer was rescued In an exhausted condition, and
later the body Of Barnato was recovered. float
ing head downward.
Mrs Barnato and her children were on board
the Scot.
His body has been embalmed and will be
taken to England on board the Scot
London, June 15.-The death Of Barney Bar
nato caused a sensation In financial circles. HIS
office here besieged this morning by nun
dreds of eager inquirers and even then his
firm had not received confirmation of the news.
Throgmorton-st. was filled with excited crowds
Of brokers discussing the news OF the diamond
Kings" death. His self-destruction is generally
supposed to have been the outcome OF his re-
cent illness at the Cape. during which private
rumors on the Stock Exchange indicated that
the South African speculator was suffering from
brain trouble.
The African market. a result OF the death
Of BarnatO, was depressed to-day. Barnato
Consolidated was "a lower Johannesburg In
vestment went down Il. Chartered Company
securities fell *, De Beers Mines went down
5-l6 and Rand Mines were as lower.
Although the Stock Exchange was exclteu ny
the news Of Barnato's death. there was no panic
The Barnato companies were not allowed 10 iaii
much before they found buyers.
The opinion is expressed that the death OF the
great South African speculator cannot have
much effect upon the market as Barnato re-
Gently has paid little direct attention TO pusi-
ness.
'.The Pail Mall Gazette" this afternoon. COM
menting on the death OF Barney Barnato, says
he has been mentally Ill for about three months
past. and that he has been under constant
supervision
The Barnatos lived in Spencer House for
several years. and were returning to occupy
their gorgeous house. just being finished. on
Park Lane, opposite Stanhope Cate Inc oe-
ceased speculator leaves two chlidren' lean lean
Primrose. named after his hrst mine, ana papy
boy named Ladas Rosebery.
To-day's papers publish columns Of obituary.
"Reminiscences anecdote and history as to the
late Barney Barnato. 1t is said that he thrice
attempted to commit suicide pefore ne ieft cape
Town.
1he death of Barnato was wholly without effect
on the New-York Stock Exchange market. or
unon American stocks the London Stock Ex-
change 1t was reported that in the May rise In
stocks two years ago. some orders for his account
were executed In the New-York market. Whether
any were or not never definitely known. since
that time there was no knowledge OF his having
interest IN this market. The mining stocks with
which Barnato was identihed arc not dealt IN
here.
Tribune reporter yesterday visited Henry
Victor at his hardware establishment. at No. 1041
Fulton-st Brooklyn. Mr. Victor was In early life
friend Of Barnato. Thirty years ago Barnato
lived In Pettlcoat Lane. In London. and Mr.. Victor
kept tool shop in Bishopsgate
He only young fellow then. about eighteen
or twenty" said Mr.. Victor. THE story about
his being a street arab which published in
some of the papers is. think. untrue. although he
had little education. and what he had no
picked up for himself. He a dealer in second
hand things, In a small way. and left that occupa.
ton to so the stage. He was quite expert at
sleight of hand and he used 10 do that for amuse-
ment Finally he decided he could make money at
It, and after he had proved to himself that this
was So he dropped his little business altogether
and went on the stage doing conjuring tricks. He
stands
& tai fG a g. me- h. had a
brother Harry After while the diamond fever
cap Barnao mat % then Known as BARNEY saaes
which was his real name; Barnato was name ne
assumed a'ep ne sT' 10 he Edp ne Two lsaacs
afterward changed my mind. and Barney and Joe
sGc hough have read with interest of Baney S
'He was jolly fellow. fond of practical jokes,
and always in good spirits The description OF
his personal appearance al the time he started
for the Cape. given in some newspapers is ncor-
he was not slight or feeble in appearance but was
laughing and joking, and was a good cor companion,
His, father was Joseph Isaacs,. who kept an old
Barnai6s wfe ' Miss Hobrook She is 81 h1se singer
management of Francis Wilson. When seen yester-
day at the Hotel Vendome, she contradicted tho
had received a letter dated June 2 from her sister,
containing news OF Barnatos suicide The letter,
Mrs Barnato from South Africa. and related that
Mr.. Barnato was SUFFERING from melancholi3 and
from business worry. There was no hint, however,
In the communication that his mental condition was
a M whch have been pnbshed regSrne Sf ne
the dead millionaire. Miss Holbrook said: IIe was
not a London stree. waf He came OF good Eng
lsh Jewish family Neither was ne ever a circus
clown. He OF intelligence and percep-
ton, as his business success shows"
THE CAPE PARLIAMENT ADJOURNs.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT FROM BARNATos
FORMER ASSOCIATES.
Cape Town. June 1.-THE Cape Parliament has
Mt OF 20 hn Iaf