Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26

the blood gushing from a bullet wound
in the head. She ran screaming to the bal
cony overlooking the lobby of the hotel,
where many guests, including number of
women, were assembled. The proprietor
of the hotel was the first to reach the
expiring man. Medical help was immedi-
ately summoned, but was found to be USE
less. death ensuing quickly on the fatal
act
Death Came Quickly.
The commissary of police was informed,
and, accompanied by a doctor, proceeded
to a preliminary investigation. No money
or papers Of any kind were found in Sir
Hectors baggage. Two notes written in
English were found lying table in
his room. and these were taken possess
sion of by the authorities but it Is
derstood that their contents 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 informed later, and Consul
General Inglis visited the hotel and took
charge of the body, which was placed on
the bed. The door was then locked the
consul general taking the key. The French
officials took possession of the revolver
which was of nine millimeters caliber and
apparently new.
Reached Paris Last Friday.
last Friday evening from London on his
way back to Ceylon. where it was under
stood that an immediate court-martial
would be held to clear up the charges
made against him. On reaching the hotel
at IL o'clock at night he was told that
only small and Indifferent room was
available. He replied that that was quite
sufficient. He was not accompanied by
any aids-de-camp or valet. He said he
only intended to stay day or two in Paris
Little was seen of him since his arrival.
He was, however. in the hotel lobby this
morning about noon. and it Is believed that
a newspaper printed in English, containing
resume of the grave charges brought
against him. and embellished with the gem
erals 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 yet been made as
to the disposition Of the body, which is SUBJ
ject to the orders of the British authorities
Both the British embassy and consul gen.
eral Inglis have advised London of the
tragedy and are awaiting definite instruc-
lions. The generals suicide has profound
ly shocked the British officials here. Those
about the hotel who had conversed with Sir
Hector Macdonald recently say he showed
no signs of excitement or mental worry
They describe him as Of soldierly bearing,
slightly under middle height with bronZed
face and slight gray mustache. He was
dressed in dark gray travelling suit.
Sketch of His Career.
Gen. Sir Hector Archibald Macdonald
was the son of a poor crofter in the
Scottish Highlands and was born on
April 13. 1862, the youngest of four
sons. AS youth he was a draper at
Inverness, but Ne Joined the Gordon High
landers in 1870 as a private, and served
in the ranks for more than nine years. He
first saw active service in the Afghan
war Of 1S79-'SO. and was mentioned In the
dispatches for his conduct at Karatiga. He
was connected with the Madam expedition;
was present at Chorasiah. and took part In
the operations around Ca,bul in December,
1870. He accompanied Lord Roberts to Ca
bull; was present at Kandahar, after which
he was promoted a lieutenant for his dis
tinguished conduct in the field. He was also
rewarded with q medal. with three clasps,
and q bronze decoration.
Macdonald had got his commission in his
own regment-an unusual honor. The Cor
dons were on their way back to England
from India when events compelled them to
land In South Africa. The company of them
which Gen. Colley took up Majuba Hill in
cluded Lieut.. Macdonald. He held a corner
of the mountain top until his men had
been moved down by the rifle fire of the
Beers. Then he was taken prisoner though
still fighting.
In the Egyptian Constabulary.
In June, 1900, ne Joineu the ESyptldn con-
stabulary, and served in the Nile expedition
Of that year as garrison adjutant at AS
Stout.
This expedition was for the relief of Gen.
Gordon. He was promoted captain in the
Gordon Highlanders in January 1888. and
I'm the following December took part In the
operations near Suakim and the engage
ment al Gemaizah. In 1889 he took part In
the capture of Tokar and the battle of
Toski. and was several times mentioned in
dispatches. He was honored with the D.
s. o. and the third class Of the Osmanieh
and in July. 1891. was promoted major of
the Royal Fusiliers. In Kitchener's Dom
COLA expeditionary force he obtained the
command Of the Sd Infantry Brigade, and
was present at Firke and Haflr. and for
his services on this expedition he received
brevet lieutenant colonelcy.
In the Soudan operations of 1898 Mac
Donald. as brigadier general in the Egyp-
tian army. had command of the Soudanese
brigade This he brought to high degree
of efficiency. so that at Atbara his troops
distinguished themselves for their cool