The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-25
sU|CIDED IN PRISON
fS-Inspector General Of Police Eduardo
YelaSquez Shoots Himself.
DEATH WAS ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS
In IL Letter 10 The Public He Snfd Tint
Loynity to the Chief Magistrate of
Mexico, Whose Life Had Been At
tempted, Warranted Him In Put.
ting Arroyo 20 Denth.
City of Mexico, Sept. "a, 1897.


Ex-Inspector General of Police, Edu-
ardo Velasquez. committed suicide in
Belem prison to-day. He was 81 years
old. The inspector blew his brains out
with revolver. He was q proud man,
exceedingly reserved and very ambi-
tlous, his rise from an humble POSI-
tion Enough various posts to the COM
mand of the police having been sulli-
ciently rapid 10 attract attention to him
az man Of great talent Since The
alleged lynching plot was exposed and
he, with other police, was imprisoned,
he has suffered from an intense nervous
strain. He was subjected yesterday to
long examination by Judge Flores
and at the conclusion OF that ordeal. on
his return to his room in the p. isson, It
was noted he showed great detection
and anguish OF mind.
AT II o'clock this morning the war
den OF the prison went to call him. lie
approached the bed, ard said in a
friendly tone, az he knew the prisoner
WELL Come, my boy, IT'S time to get
up, the Judge wants you"
Receiving no answer. he began to
shake the Inspector, saying, Don't he
! lazy" when he noted that Velasquez
had a bullet wound in the right temple,
| and on investigating further, discovered
! a small two barrellcd pistol with which
| the act had been committed. The muz-
| zlc of the pistol had been placed so
| close to the temple and pressed into the
| skin chat it practically made no noise
on being discharged hence the reason
| Of no report being heard by the guards.
How the pistol reached the prisoner is
under investigation.
The warden Immediately notified the
judicial authorities, who went at once
TO the room of the suicide and sum-
moncd medical men.
During the afternoon relatives Of the
dead man were allowed to enter the
prison, which had been closed to the
public. The doctors had concluded the
examination and had found that death
must have been instantaneous, the bull
let being imbedded in the brain.
The body was dressed and delivered
to the relatives.
a letter was found in the room, in
which VelasNuez made his statement to
the public, saying his death was. he felt,
the satisfaction he owed to society He
also said that the crime was suggested
TO him by InpectOr Villa Nicencio, of
the Second Police District, who is in
prison VelaSquez added that under
other circumstances, not having been a
high official authority, nothing could
have induced him to take part in the
CRIME. lie ieit, IT rs said, that his 10y
atty to the Chief Magistrate, whose life
had been attempted. warranted him in
putting Arroyo to death.
III fact, he said this repeatedly yes
terday on being questioned. 1t is gene
rally felt by his friends that Villa Vic
| encio was his evil star. having, from
the time NelasQueZ became Chief OF
Police, gained a remarkable influence
over him. although he was warned by
| those whoh ad his welfare at heart to
beware of the man.
Eelasquez had a very large acQuaint-
ance, having been employed after leav-
| ing college in the Department OF III
nance and was secretary TO the Minister
! Of Finance. At once time he was con-
| nccted with the newspaper 1Il Combate
| and had al an carly age been elected to
| Congress. He had effected many re-
forms during his incumbency 5 inspec-
|