Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-11
Suicide of a Millionaire.

been overcrowded with the pleasures Ct
existence, Robert ID. Ballantine. mill
lionaire. clubman and society leader,
son of John H. BallantiDe, muti-milli IN
aire brewer of Newark, n. j., killed
himself 10 the home Of his mother IN the
latter city last Saturday night by firing
bullet into his right temple.
Young BalaDtine was only 30 years
old. although his swift course through
life made him appear older.
The life of the young ciubman was
one painted 10 roseate tints. He bad
devoted nearly all of his time in pursuit
of pleasure. Ballantine went to Newark
from Virginia last month to bring
Thanksgiving JOY to his mother. Fail
ing health had forced him TO go South
with the advent of cold weather, but he
had determined to spend Thanksgiving
at home. There was happy reunion
of the family, and the next day the
mother left tor Maryland. The son de-
cided, however, to remain at Newark
while longer.
Robert Balantine had started in life
with every opportunity which wealth,
good looks and social position can give.
His grandfather Peter B. Ballanline, was
the founder of the big brewery which
bears his name, and when he died his
children inherited many millions.
Roberts father was John II. Ballan-
tine. who left an estate of So, 900, 600.
Robert was one of the most promising
sons Of the wealthy brewer. lie was
graduated from Princeton and studied
medicine in Virginia, but he soon spent
more time attending to his social obliga-
tions than trying to follow the profession
he had chosen.
A dispatch from Charlottesville says
if the rumors which have been in circu-
lation in their place the past week are
true. the suicide of Robert ID. Ballan-
tine, of edge Hill, ;" Albemarle county,
son of The late millionaire brewer of
Newark, n. J., may be attributed to
scheme of blackmailing of which the
deceased is said to have fallen victim.
1t is no secret that Ballantine recently
gave up quite a sum of money, SAID by
some to be much ss $4,000. The
story, which is alleged to have concerned
his personal habits, dated back to the
November races at Benning, and it was
soon after this, if the tale be true, that
he paid various sums to three men, well
known in the community, rather than
have bis named used in connection with
the chsrgo, which his friends say was
not justified Jy the facts. He soon went
north, never to return. The past week
rumor became busy with his name, and
an intimate friend by letter apprised him
of what be had heard and urged him to
return and clear up the story. II may be
that this letter hastened the tragedy.
Ballantine, after graduating at Prince
ton. went to the University OF Virginia,
where he took the degree of bachelor of
law. He fell in love with the old south
ern Institution and decided to prolong
his stay there by studying medicine.
Just before finishing this course, how
ever, he withdrew from the university
and soon thereafter purchased edge
Hill" situated near "MouticellO," and
one of the most historic homes in Vlr-
ginia. Here for the past two years ne
entertained lavishly his former college
and fraternity mates. His income being
large, be spent money freely, often to
the advantage of those near him. On
one occasion he handed hiq check for SO, =
600 to letter carrier at the university
postoffice. He WAS the contributor of
the $4,000 copy of "The school OF
Athens" which now adorns the public
ball of the university in the place Of the
one destroyed in the fire in that institu-
ton in 1896"