The Washington herald., 1908-01-03

New York, Jan. Surrounded by the
paintings which he loved. but which he
knew were to be soon nothing but mem
ories because OF his fast failing eyesight.
Marquise Cossitt GasDar. q wealthy re-
tired tea merchant. and ectogenarian, shot
himself to-day in the situng-room of his
house at 30 West Fifty-tnird street dying
instantly. He was found some time
later by his wife. who thought him asleep
at first
Mr.. Gaspar. whose age Coroner Har-
burger was informed was eighty-five. was
once a member Of the firm of Rowland &
Aspinwall. whose offices were at 54 South
street. They owned fast clipper ships.
and did large business in bringing tea
from China Twenty years ago Mr.. Gas
per retired with a fortune Since then
he had lived a life of ease, devoting him
self TO his hobbies. which were driving
and painting water colors.
Member of Art Club.
tie was "a member of the National Arts
Club, and took the keenest interest in
everything pertaining to pictures. His
house was full of them. He owned several
horses, and. until his eyesight began TO
fail was accustomed to go for a spin
behind them almost every day in the
park
Recently the old mans eyesight began
TO fail very fast and about two weeks ago
his physician, DR.. Walter Kester Carr. of
6S West Fifty-frst street told him that
he had cataracts. IN addition 10 this the
circulation in his eye1alls was defective.
Apparently Mr. Gaspar realized that
there was no hope for his eyesight.
and, according TO the family. had be-
come respondent A few days ago
he remarked TO his physicians that the
end seemed pretty near when a man lost
his eyesigEt. Not only was it impossible
for him TO read, but the pleasure that he
once had Of retouchinE some of his water
colors was also lost Ia him.
COuId Not See the sun,
Mr. Gaspar had breakfast with his wife
about 3 o'clock this morning In the din
ing-room. AT this time Mrs. Gaspar had
all the electric lights turned on in the
dining-ro0m, her husband complaining
that il was very dark to him, and that
BE could scarce see. He was in his
dressing gown. q after breakfast went
10 the sitting-room on the second floor
10 rest for a while before dressing, as
was his custom. Mrs, Gaspar left him
sitting in his easy chair with his feet
on the foOtrest. One or the last injuries
he made Of heTv was as TO what kind Of
day It was for although the sun was
shining brightly he could not determine II
Mrs Gaspar passed the door once and
looked in, but seeing her husband still
reclining in the chair, she supposed he
was asleep. A short time afterward she
took a canary TO hang in the room. be-
cause she thought the singing Of the bird
would cheer him up Passing around 10
the other side Of his chair. she saw
bullet hole in his right temple from which
the blood was trickling. and realized
what had happened. She called one of
the servants and sent her for DR.. Carr
The latter said that Mr. Gaspar had died
instantly.
Revolver Found On Floor.
The revolver had fallen to the floor.
where his bathrobe concealed it. and il
was some time before it was found. It
was an old-sJyIe revolver. with the date
1863 on H.
Mr., GasDar was born in Orleans, n. Y,
but had lived here nearly all his life. He
was once a member Of the produce ex-
change. Save for his falling eyesight he
was remarkably vigorous for his age.
For many years he had been member
OF the New York Athletic Club.
Airs. GasDar was Miss Jennie Beach.
a daughter Of Alfred Beach, editor of
the Scientific American She and Mr.
Gaspar we're married in 1896 a few
months after the death of her father
II was Mr. Gaspar's second marriage his
first wife having died. Mrs. Gaspar was
many years younger than her husband
Air. Gaspar left three children bv his
first wife. They are Mrs. Albert Dodge
smith, Of Orange, n J.; James Girls
VOID GaspaT, who is in San Francisco
ana fI0Wlan6 fLaarar Of TV--+ De-