The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-06
OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY SUICIDE.
Believed to Be n Numismatic, and Not a
Common Tlief-EvidentIy a Russian.

common TIief-EvidentIy a Russian.
OMAHA. Oct. 27.-The police OF several OF the
larger cities OF the country are at present en-
gagged in attempting to solve a mystery that is
puzzling their most skilful detectives. 1t re-
lates to an unidentified man who committed
suicide a few davs ago in the Omaha Public
Library building. The detectives who have
thus far participated in the affair are Of the
opinion that the suicide. whose grave in the
potters' field of Omaha is marked with a
wooden slab a foot high. in life was a man of
prominence in his community. The indica-
tions are that the %pauper's grave shelters a
numismatic whose scientific knowledge OF rare
coins and medals and love for curios OF this
sort brought about his death.
The! public library OF this city. the scene of
thessuicide. possesses some Of the most costly
rare coins and medals In the country. They
form part Of the collection given to 1t by the
late Byron Reed. Mr.. Reed was one OF the
most famous numismatics in America. and. as
he had large wealth at his command. he &C.
quired one OF the most valuable collections OF
coins and medals In existence. Many times
have efforts been made to rob the library of
these precious coins. and the man who COM
mitted suicide there recently is supposed to
have been in the building for the purpose of
stealing coins OF the rare collection. The po-
iIs num ahiaai thIow SeG r;ot that = to tine de9 9Sia nan was
The Waterman of the library was awakened
early In the morning by the violent sounding
Of The burglar alarms Of the building. The dis
t%urbance evidently originated In the room de-
voted TO the Reed. collection. AS the watch
man approached the door to the Reed collec-
another wing OF the building. The Waterman
called, upon him to halt and pursued him Wig
orously,, The stranger ran into a blind wing
so could not escape. The Waterman rushed
upon him. When the stranger saw there was
no escape he drew a revolver hastily from
his coat, and, turning the weapon against his
temple; fred. He fell dead at the watchman's
feet. The Reed collection was evidently the
object OF the burglar, because one o. the cases
showed the marks OF a chisel and the tool was
found near by,
Although there was nothing in the suicides
possessions had to do with Russia, Indicating
that he was a Russian. Now. the Reed collec-
ton contains some coins OF more value possibly
20 a Russian numismatist than to q coin collec-
tor OF any other nationality. These consist
particularly of a set of FIVE rare gold coins of
set is complete and there are only two others in
existence. Both Of these occupy conspicuous
places In the Royal Museum OF Russia. The
Intrinsic value of the coins will not exceed
5000. but numismatists declare that they are so
rare, and so costly as not to have been quoted
that the Russian Government has made a
number OF efforts TO purchase this sci, without
success. Mr.. Reed ID said 10 have paid a fabu-
lous sum for the coins. They are believed to
have, been the especial object OF the daring
oLT=!sr WHOSE desire for the coins, was SO alb
That he appreciated the situation 10 clear from
the. manner In which he discarded everything
that could possibly lead 10 his Identification In
the event OF CAPTURE.