The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-26
General Macdonald Ends His
 Life With Pistol
DIES AT HOTEL IN PARIS
Was on His Way to ceIyon to Be Tried By Csurtnsrtial on Charges Based on Immoral
 Conduct.

H ARIS. March 25.-Major General
 Hector Macdonald, commanding the British forces in Ceylon, and one of the foremost officers in the Brit ish army. against whom charges based on immoral acts were filed some time ago, committed suicide today at the Hotel Reg lnald He shot himself in the right tenn pie shortly after noon and expired few minutes later. The general was alone in his small chamber on the main floor of the hotel at the time of the tragedy.
 One of the female attendants heard the pistol shot and opening the door saw the generals figure stretched out on tho floor with blood gushing from a bullet wound in the head. She ran screaming to the balcony overlooking the lobby of the hotel where many guests, including a number of ladies, were assembled. The proprietor of the hotel was the first to reach the expiring man.
 Medical help was immediately summon ed but death ensued quickly.
 The commissary of police was called and, accompanied by doctor. proceeded to preliminary investigation. No money or papers of any kind were found in Sir Electors baggage. Two notes written In English were found lying on table in his room. and they were taken possession of by the authorities
 It is said that the notes have no bear ing on the suicide. In the generals coat { lying on the bed were found some photo- graphs. The British embassy and con- sulate were advised later and Consul General Inglis took charge of the body, which was placed on the bed
 The door was then locked, the consul general taking the key.
 The French officers took possession of the revolver.
 Sir Hector Mcdonald arrived in Paris last Friday evening from London on his way back to Ceylon, where it was understood an immediate courtmartial would be held to clear up charges made against him. On reaching the hotel at night. he was told that only small room was available. He replied that 1t was sufficient. He was unaccompanied. He said he intended to stay only day or two in Paris. Little was seen of him after his arrival. He was however, in the
 
 lieved that a newspaper printed in Eng fish, containing a resume of the charges brought against him and embellished with the generals portrait ln full uni- form. came under his attention. He left the lobby, going to his room, and the pistol shot followed soon afterwards. No arrangement has been made as to the disposition of the body. Those about the hotel who had conversed with Sir Hector Macdonald recently say he showed no signs of mental worry
 Deep Sorrow In London.
 London, March 25.-The tregic end of Fighting Mcdonald" who, as the son of a highland cottar rose from a position of drapers assistant to be an honored general in the British army, has caused great surprise and deep sorrow in Lon don. The nat.re of the offenses with which he was charged had not become generally known to the public, but had been common gossip in military circles and although in the army and among his highlander comrades especially, there is keen grief their feeling is that it was better to die thus, than to face dis honor
 Sir Hector Macdonald was separated from his wife many years ago, before he got his commission. He has not lived with her since. He leaves son who is attending an English public school
 Sir Hector MacDonald's great chance came when d sergeant during the Afghan campaign in 1879 and ,1SSO. With small force he. by a furious. bayonet charge, cleared out d body of Afghans who were lying in ambush for Lord Roberts. For this feat. Lord Roberts offered him the choice of the Victoria Cross or com mission. He chose the latter. His great est military achievement was the leading of the Black Soudanese brigade In the Omdurman campaign against the Kha- lifa.