The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-18
{. N. D|DWELL
TOOK HIS LIFE
IN NEW YORK

Edwin NJ Bidwell. a well-known pun
Usher and photographer, with divorced
wife and hve children in this city COM
mtted suicide at 2 West One Hundred
and Sixth street, New York. Thursday
night. by taking poison. lie lett com
munice tions, one addressed 10 Altreu u
Vanderbilt. In another he said that oN-
ing ~ bodily weakness he was no lonssr
capable OF making living. The suicide
caused a sensation In New YORK eHclu,
sive social circle. In which Mr.. Bidwell
had an extensive and intimate acquaiht-
ance.
Bidwell at one time had a studio IN
Natick. lie married a daughter OF liuBh
IL. Balm. for years town treasurer OF
Cranston. but that his wife had divorced
him and that he was still living We're
unknown 10 the friends OF the FAMILY
who were OF the belief that he was dead.
The family had made no representations
10 that effect. but IL was the commonly
accepted theory. and nothing was SAID
which might cause any TO think TO the
contrary.
While the Bidwels lived in New York
three sons were born. While they were
in Rhode Island two daughters We're
born. the younger three months after
Bidwell deserted his family. Mrs. Anna
III. Bidwell. the daughters and one son
now live at 4S4 Public street.
Mr.. Balm was possessed OF large prop
erty and his daughter received a sub
stantial portion OF his estate owing 10 his
liberality. Bidwell ran through this be-
fore he deserted his wife. and Mr.. Balm,
when a separation was obtained 20 years
ago. made ample provision for his daugh-
ter. The divorce was obtained upon the
ground OF non-support and Bidwell
dropped completely out OF sight so far as
his family was concerned.
One OF the few facts brought 20 the at
tention OF the family was that he lived
for while with another woman, whom
he married just before she died about
seven years ago.
Bidwell was capable, health and inclina-
tion permitting. OF making an easy living.
As the dispatch which was received from
New York Indicated he moved In the Sc
lect circle OF that city and for years must
have done large and lucrative business,
but he had been In poor health for sever
al years. and latterly was not I'm physi-
cal condition 10 do much BUSINESS. Becom-
ing despondent. he retired To a room lead
ing from his studio and took fatal dose
of cyanide OF potassium. Bidwell lived
alone and was his own housekeeper.
The suite was sumptuously furnished.
everything which money could buy and
which artistic taste could suggest having
been placed in H.
Two letters were addressed TO women
TO one OF whom Mr.. Bidwell had oeen de.
voted for several years One was address.
ed to Josephine Fischbein. who had work
ed for him and whom IL was supposed he
intended soon 10 marry Had ne so chosen
there were works of art which literally
covered the walls and were OF such high
value that had he disposed OF the COLES
tion he would have obtained a sufficient
sum TO have kept him In comfortable cir
cumstances for several years
Among his best patrons were August
Belmont. the Fishers. the Vanderbilts
and the Belmonts. for whom lie took
many photographs. those for Mr.. Bel
mont being OF the Metropolitan Handicap