The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-03
WEALTHY man,
GOING BLIND,
TAKES HIS LIFE

Now York Jan s.--surrounded by the
paintings which he loved. but which he
knew were to be soon nothing but memo
riss because OF his fast-failing eyesight.
Marquis cossitt Gaspar. wealthy re-
tired tea merchant and octogenarian. shot
himself yesterday in the sitting room OF
his house at 30 West Fifty-third street,
dying instantly.
He was found some time later by his
wife. who thought him asleep at first.
Mr.. Gaspar. whose age Coroner Ham
burger got as s5. was once member OF
the firm OF Howland g. Aspinwall. whose
Offices were at 81 South street. They
owned many fast clipper ships and did a
large business In bringing tea from
China
Twenty years ago Mr.. Gaspar retired
with a fortune. Since then he had lived
a life OF ease. devoting himself 10 his
hobbies, which were driving and painting
water colors. He was a member OF the
National Arts club. and took the Keen
est delight I'm everything pertaining 10
pictures His house was fun OF them'
He owned several horses and untn MS
syesight began TO get poor was accus-
toned TO go for a spin behind them al
most every day In the park
Recently the old mans eyesight began
20 fail very fast. and abou; two weeks
sgo his physician told him that he had
cafaracts In addition 10 this the circu-
lation in his eyehalls was defective
Apparently Mr.. Gaspar realized that
there was no hone for his eyesight, and
according 10 the family had become de-
spondent A few DAYS before his deatn
ne remarked 10 his physician that the END
seemed pretty near when man losi MS
ir,~fN noQi
him to read. but the pleasure that he
once had OF retouching some OF his water
colors was also lost TO him.
Coroner Hamburger went to the house.
but although he questioned Mrs Gaspar
and the three servants he WAS unable TO
find any one who had heard the shot.
The coroner said that II would seem as
n a gun of such an old make would have
made very loud report The coroner
was surprised to find that the dead man
face had been bandaged but Mrs Gas
par explained that the bandage had oeen
put on by servant 10 keep the jaw
from dropping. She said that II had been
put on before the doctor came.
lust how the revolver came 10 be under
the chair Coroner Hsrburger said IL was
hard TO understand. The coroner SAID
that there appeared to be no evidence 10
show that Il was anything but case OF
suicide. however and so reported II. He
said that the revolver In falling possibly
had hit the arm OF the chair In such a
way as to roll under the chair when II
struck the floor
Frederick c. Beacn, Mrs. Gaspar
brother In -lav, who visited the house In
the afternoon said that there was no
reason TO doubt that Mr. Gaspar mad
taken his life because OF the fear OF ap-
preaching blindness.
The fact that Mr.. Gaspar possessed
revolver was unknown 70 any one In the
house. Mrs Gaspar sale.
Mr.. Caspar was born In Orleans, n n.
but had lived here nearly all his NE he
was once a member OF the produce ex-
chance Save for his railing eyesight ht
Yves remarkably vigorous for his age Fol
many years he had been member or th'
New York Athletic club.
Mr.. Gaspar was Miss eJnnie Beach,
dauehtes Of Alfred Beacn. editor OF th'
scientific American. She and MT Gas
par were married in 1896, few months
after the death OF her father. II was Mr.
0aspar's second marr~age. his first WIZ
having <fed Mrs. Gaspar was man,
wears younger than her husband.
Mr. Gaspar left three children by hi
FIRST wife. They are Mrs Albert Dodg'
emith OF Orange. N j.; James Griswolt
0aspar. who Is in San Francisco, an'
Rowland Gaspar OF Eastport, l.. l.