New-York tribune., 1900-08-29
BROKER TAKES HIS LIFE.
FOUND DEAD IN A VACANT LOT AT LONG
BRANCH-oNCE WEALTHY
GENOESE.

Long Branch N j. Aug. 2s.-The body OF Alfred
Bngen a broker doing business at No So Broad
way. New-York, was found at sunrise to-day lying
in a vacant lot at Matilda Terrace and Second-ave
A bullet hole was in his right temple and in his
hand was a revolver indicating that Bingen had
taken his own life.
Martin McCue. 8 milkman. discovered the body
From all appearances the man had been dead sew
eral hours McCue lost time in informing the
police a conductor on the Atlantic Coast Electric
Railway says that he heard shot fired as his car
passed Matilda Terrace about 10 o'clock last night
servant in q nearby cottage also recalls hearing
a shot fired about that hour.
Deputy Coroner T. E. Hyer took charge or the
body and removed It to Hyer & Flocks morgue
Bingen was identified by business envelope ano
8 pocketbook bearing his name
He was a cousin Of A y. Benjamin, who occu-
pies the Wormser cottage at West End The latter
called AZ the rnorgue but declined discuss what
led 10 the suicide
II is positively known that Bingen never reached
the BENJAMIN summer home, although he was inViteo
90 spend several days at the shore ten days ago
Last Friday Chief OF Police James Layton received
a call bv telephone from New-York asking him II
any stranger had committed suicide at this place.
The chief received complete description OF the
man whom II was believed had taken his life, and
a corresponded exactly with that OF Bingen. Cor
oner Flock Is undoubtedly in possession Of some
important facts. which he declines to make public
The suicide was well dressed. He lay partly on
his stomach when discovered Whether business
[
unknown may never be known. BESIDES a
pocketbook, which contained no money 1nele SntI m
letter in his pocket 9ddressTq 70 steg contained
a blank affidavit.
Alfred Bingen was one OF the best known wall
Street curb brokers' and had his office at No S5
Broadway where he rented desk room or Cesare
Cont The care with which he always dressed
and his afTable and courteous manners earned TOT
him the sobrouet Of Count" Alfred, or more
properly Alfredo Bingen was the Of Max
Bingen, a Prussian who moved to Genoa Italy,
a generation ago. Altering his name 10
Massinio Bingen, he devoted himself TO finance
and ultimately became president Of the Genoese
branch OF the National Bank Of Italy. Subsequent
~ he founded the banking house OF Frateli Bingen
he died in 1885. and four years later the firm, in
consequence of unwise specuations in italian Gov
ernrnent bonds, failed with liabilities of 100000
francs Alfred Bingen shortly afterward came to
shis country, bringing with him letters Of intro
6uotion and recommendation 10 Heideloach, 1ckel-
aeirner & Co. Mr.. Hedelbach obtained employ
1nent for him. and two OF three years ago MI
Bingen started IN business for himself on the curb
market He was a single man, and was about
tfirty-eight years old.
Cesare Cont said that Bingen at his ONCE
on Monday. and that. while he seemed out Of
spirits he denied that he sick in trouble.
Nj Cont said that the suicide could not have
been caused by financial troubles. the unfortu
nate man making money and was satisfied
with his business.
'I think the poor fellow must have been af-
fected by the heat" Mr. Cont said. The letter
on Monday. that he must have contemplated sui
eide before going TO Long Branch"
The letter follows:
Dear Friend: thank you for all that you have
done for me You have always been most @ kind 1 to
hope pardon G1 me If I commit init this extreme act
1Sas''iP9i ways truly. me peaS''S anu 's'' Alfred