The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-09
GREAT FRENCHMEN
 CLAIMED BY DEATH
COquelin and Mendes Join the
 Ranks of Departed
MENDES KILLED BY TRAIN
Coquelin Was Brother of the Great Actor Who Recently Died and Was Himself Renowned on the
 French Stage.

Paris, September S.-Death claimed to- day two of the best known men in l France, Catulle-Abraham Mendes the poet and novelist, and Ernest Alexandre Honore Coquelin, known familiarity as Coquelin Cadet. one of the last of Frances celebrated actors.
 M. Mendes' body was found mangled in the railroad tunnel near Saint German, he having fallen accidentally from a nov ing train. M Coquelin, stricken down by the news of the death of his brother, Beneoit Constant Coquelin, on January 27, expired this morning in the arms of his valet.
 Baron Von Oppenhem, with whom M Mendes dined last night, explained today that the poet was melancholy and com plained of extreme fatigue. There has been no suggestion of suicide or foul play in the death of NJ. Mendes, and the find ing of his cane and hat beside the body convinces the authorities that he inad- vertently opened the door of the com partment of the carriage in which he was riding before the train was clear of the tunnel and fell beneath the wheels.
 It is related in connected with these two tragic deaths that after working yesterday on play on Napoleon, M Men des spent an hour completing a poem on the death of the elder Coquelin.
 The official verdict in that the death of M. Mendes was accidental and due to im- prudence. There is no suspicion of foul play. M. Mendes money and valuables were found intact The railroad to Saint Germain terminates in a long tunnel through the hillside, the station being 10? cated immediately at the exit It is thought that M. Mendes opened the door of his compartment Just before the train was clear of the tunnel, that he slipped and was crushed between the tunnel wall and the steps of the train The corpse was removed to the poets residence near the chateau of Saint Germain.
 The tragic death of M. Mendes has brought forth expression of sorrow from all sides and the universal verdict is that literary France has suffered a great loss. Baron Oppenheim said today that he &C., eompanied m. Mendes to the railroad sta- .tion last night.
 Ernest Alexandre Honore Coquelin was born at Boulogne, May 16 1S4S. He en- tered the service of the Northern Rail- road company, but being drawn toward the theatrical profession he went to Paris and in 1867 carried off the first prize for comedy at the Conservatory. After a
 
 roles of classic circus he entered the Comedie Francaise in 1876 and played with his brother During the siege of Paris he gained the military medal for bravery at the battle of Buzenval Among his beg. creations were Ulrich in "Le Sphynx" of Octave Fueillet and Basile in 'sLe Barbier De Seveille."
 He was noted as a reciter and was the author of many monologues.
 M. Coquelin had been ill for more than a year. He was removed to a private sanitarium near Paris last February and it was then said his mind was affected He was informed of the death of his brother only three days ago. The doctors adopted infinite precautions to lessen the shock of this news, but the patient col lapsed at the announcement which un- doubtedly hastened his end.
 M. Catulle Mendes was born May 21 1841. He was a prolific writer of poems novels short stories and dramatic pieces He was also dramatic critic of the Jour nal.