The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-26
Fires q Bullet Into His Right Temple
While stopping at a Paris Hotel
and Expires Immediately.
FAMOUS BRITISH OFFICER
WHO WON RENOwN IN INDIA, EGYPT
AND SOUTH AFRICA.
Had Been Accused Of Immoral Acts
and Was Supposed to BE En- Route
to Ceylon to Answer Charges.

PARIS, March 25-MaJor General Hector
Macdonald, commanding the British forces
in Ceylon and one of the foremost officers
In the British army, against whom charges
based on immoral acts were filed some time
ago, committed suicide to-day at the Hotel
Regina. He shot himself in the right temple
shortly after noon and expired few min
utes later. The general was alone in his
small chamber on the mezzanine 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 the floor
with blood gushing from 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 ho-
tel was the first to reach the expiring man.
Medical help was Immediately summoned,
but death ensued quickly. The commissary
of police was called, and, accompanied by
doctor. proceeded to a preliminary investi-
CATION No money or papers of any kind
were found in Sir Hector's baggage. Two
notes written in English were found lying
on a table in his room, and these were
taken possession of by the authorities. 1t
the suicide. In the generals coat, lying on
the bed, were found some photographs. The
British embassy and consulate 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 Macdonald arrived in Paris
last Friday evening from London on his
way back to Ceylon, where 1t was under
stood that an immediate court-martial
would be held to clear UP charges made
against him. On reaching the hotel at
night he was told that only a small room
was available. He replied that that was
sufficient He was unaccompanied. He said
he intended to stay only a day or two in
Paris. Little was seen Of him after his
arrival He was, however, in the lobby to-
day about noon, and 1t is believed that a
newspaper printed in English, containing a
resume of the charges brought against him
and embellshed with tho generals portrait
in full uniform came under his attention.
He left the lobby. going to his room, and
the pistol shot followed soon after.
NO arrangements have been made as to
the disposition of the body. Those about
the hotel who had conversed with Sir Hec-
tor Macdonald recently say he showed no
signs of excitement or mental worry.
In contrast to the circumstances sur
rounding the death of General Macdonald
was the gayety Of the scene tonight near
his death chamber. Owing to precautions
taken to conceal the death, few people in
the hotel were aware of it, and the cor
ridors and lobby of the hotel were filled
with joyous parties of guests going to and
returning from theater and opera parties.
Nothing indicated that the dead body of the
distinguished general lay in an adjoining
chamber There are no watchers by the
side of the corpse