New-York tribune., 1902-08-19
R.R. REMINGTON, SUICIDE
rrG4GEMENT TO HISS VAN
ALIEN BROKEN RECENTLY.
SuF THOUGHT HIS MIND UNBALANCED
He HAD THREATENED HER
FATHERS LIFE.
by rr1FGRArH TO THE TR1rrrF.l J

IFf-RAPH TO TIE TRTTTNF-1
xevnorr. R. /. Aug 1S-Robert R Reming-
.or of New-York. committed suicide in the
rhr9rv of the Newport Reading Room this
afternoon by shooting himself in the mouth.
ris death was instantaneous Within a few
minutes after the shots were heard an fnvesti-
ration vas made and he was found dead on
,be floor. The revolver lay near his hand.
Some days ago Mr. Remington returned here
from Nezv-Yorl5 to renew his attentions to Miss
Nav Van Allen. his engag cement to whom was an
nounced some months ago hut the marriage was
indefinitely postponed'' about two weeks ago
Since coming hack he had seen Miss Van Allen
2 number Of times. and was with her at Mrs
Pembroke Jones's hall last Friday. After that
he did not leave the La Forge cottage until to-
DAY. spending the greater part of Saturday and
Sunday the piazza, but talking little with
other guests.
This morning he went out and walked back
and forth in BeIlevue-ave.. opposite the Casino
entrance. He did not speak TO any one. not
even 10 Miss Van Allen and Mrs. Robert ].
Collier her sister. who left the Casino while
he was there. They also either did see
Mr. Remington or preferred not to. they
took 10 notice Of him.
In the afternoon he returned to the La Forge
cottage where he ate a hearty luncheon, and
then went to the Reading Room. where he was
registered for the summer. There We're few
members al the club at the time and Mr.. Rem
ington went to the library. on the second floor.
Immediately over the barber shop. the
Church-st side of the building. Daniel B, Fear
ing who was on the porch with one two
other men. was one Of those al the club About
go o'clock TWO shots were heard. but the
men on the porch thought they were from auto
mobiles, and after remarking on the sounds,
thought no more Of the incident until the barber
asked if they had heard the shots. Then they
decided 10 investigate. and found Mr. Rening-
ton lying dead on the floor Of the library, with
the revolver close at hand. The revolver was
examined, and il was found that three cham
bers were empty.
The medical examiner was At once Informed
An examination showed that only two shots
we're fred. Evidently the first one inflicted
serious damage, as there a slight flesh
u-ound on the right temple The pistol was
placed II the mouth for the second shot. the
bullet penetrating the brain Medical Examiner
Ecroyd took possession Of the personal effects
and the body was turned over TO undertaken
Nj Van Alien was informed Of the shooting by
telephone. and he told his daughter She was
Frustrated. physician having TO be called for
her Nfr. Van Allen denied himself 10 all callers
The circumstances which led up 70 the suicide
ars most pathetic Miss Van Allen. with the con
sent IF her father and OF Mrs, Astor, became en-
gaged 10 2Ir. Remington last autumn, the en-
EaEement being announced in 2 cable from Paris
ms spring An early wedding was promised.
when Afr- Remington began 10 show signs OF an
unbalanced mind. HIS actions were noted by his
dancee and his habits were closely watched.
When after time Nr Van Allen and Miss Van
Allen were satisfied that 1Ir Remington was Of
unsound mind the engagement was broken off as
quietly as possible. both fearing that too sudden
shock would lead to violence. Nj Remington
was not denied the house either abroad or a.
Newport and was always most Hospitality re
ceived by Mr.. Van Allen when he called. but Miss
Van Allen saw him IS little as possible The alb
sence Of his former fancee when he called was
resented by 2Tr- Remington and his visits 70 the
house became less frequent.
In the mean tine he had begun to write let
ters 70 Mr.. Van Allen, his son, James Lawrence
Van allen, and Miss Van Allen, in which he
made al sorts Of threats. particularly against
the elder Van Allen. whose life he threatened on
several occasions Even during this correspond
ence Nj Remington continued to call at Wake
hurst and was always cordially received ard
treated most kindly. though frequently his calls
lasted five six hours
Since then his visits TO Wakehurst had been
few, but he continued 70 write letters. This
morning Miss Van Alien found in her mail
letter in which Mr.. Remington apoogiZed for
all he had written about her family and herself
and begged forgiveness. She consulted her
father and answered in the same strain The
letter was sent to the La Forge cottage, but II
vas never received by NIr- Remington. as he
had left that place for the reading room be
fore the messenger arrived