The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1891-10-02 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SUICIDE OF GENERAL BOULA SG -11.  A correspondent, writing from Brussels, on Sept. 50th, says: At a quarter- past twelve o'cloc to-day General Bonlanger cumulated suicide by shoot g himself at the grave of Madame de Bonuemain, in the cemetery of lxulles. just initsid-3 this city. For some days past he hid been extremely depressed,and at his residence in the Hue Sfontoyer considenibie anxiety was felt on his account. On wore than one occasion of late he has attempted to make away with hirdeelf. So far as could be managed all arms were kept out of his reach, and nothing is known as to how he contrived to conceal the revolver with wlech he took his life. When Madame de Bonuemaie, with whom during the last few years the General had been 80 intimately associated, was buried not many weeks ago, Boulanger was heard to exclaim, in solemn tones, "Au revoir, a bientot." ("Good-bye, we shad meet again soon.") It has since been hi 4 custom every day, at four o'clock in the afternoon, to go to the cemetery and deposit on the grave of the woman to whom he had been so deeply attached either a bouquet or a wreath. His relatives and the servants were surprised this morning to 600 nun start for the cemetery in a carriage drawu by two horses at the early hour of ten. At the gate of the cemetery he left the Arc:dole and walked straight to the part of the grounds where a blue headstone surmounted by a broken column indicated the last resting-place of Madame de Donnetnain. There lie remained in silent contemplation for 81000 141,10 time. One of the most recently deposited wreaths, laid there only two or three days ago, bore the words, "A bientot, Marguerite." Though exceedingly downcast, General Boulanger did not by his demeanour exc.to suspicion on the part of his servants or of the cemetery attendants. The report of a pistol was heard, and with itil possible speed the General's servants and Pm cemetery officials ran to the spot. They Mittel the General stretched upon the ground, an I by hie side a revolver of large calibre, which had just been discharged. A wound in the right temple and another in the left showed that the fatal bullet had passed right through the brain of toe deceased, and it was evident that death had been instantaneous. No cry was heard or other sound except the report of the p slid shot. the podce were immediately commueicated with, tint the body was conveyed to the Police Statiou here in the General's private landau. The remains were laid in the bottom of the carriage, tile face being covered with a white handkerchief. The formality of identification having been gone through, the body was taken to toe residence in which the General had occupied romus. It seems that when General Boulanger's niece, who, with her husband, was staying at the 8401,J address, saw her uncle go this morning her suspicions were aroused. She accordingly sent a special messenger to M. Alfred Dutens, who was an intimate friend of the deceased, to request him to follow the carriage to the cemetery with all possible haste. M. Dutens, in response to this appeal, at once drove out to Lxelles. 'lle papers found in the General's writing desk revealed the fact that he had made his wW, and had even prepared a number of telegrams all duly addressed to the persons to whom they should be sent. According to another account Id. Dutens, who came from Paris on a visit to General Boulanger some eight days ago, received a letter warning him that his friend was on the point of committing suicide. He reached the cemetery very shortly after the latter, was with him for about au hour, and found„ him so calm and collected that his suspicions were disarmed. Finally, the General pulled out his watch and remarked that it was time to go back to town and dejeuner. He added that before returning he desired to spend only a few moments longer at the tomb of Madame de Bomiemain. Completely reassured by the General's collected demeanour, M. Dutens withdrew. He had not left his friend mord than a minute or two when the latter, having seated himself in front of Madame de Bonnemain'e tomb4tone, took off his hat, and, placing a revolver to his temple, pulled the trigger with fatal result. The body has been laid out in a black coat, and on the breast of the deceased is a decoration (a star). The wounds in the temples are concealed by a white bandage. The feature me quite composed. Outside the house a considerable crowd has been stationed all the afternoon, and the tragic event is the universal topic of (vetivertvation. It appears that shortly after the death of Madame de Bounemain General Boulanger's wife wrote to him offering to fin give him for all the past and to share his exile. This touching letter was never answered. Towards the end of August Gen. Boulanger went one day to the Ixellee Cemetery, and, after a violent outburst of grief at the tomb of Madame de Bonnemain, he laboriously carved on the plinth of the newly erected grave-stone with his pocket-knife the words which seem to have been constantly uppermost in his mind, "A bientot, Marguerite." From that day he never was the same man. Ile became extremely emaciated and haggard-looking, aud but for his characteristic beard his friends might have found it difficult to recognise the ex-War Minister. At the invitation of his mother several of his o/d friends recently came from Paris to see him. To them he confided that life was now a burden tobim, and that he often had the idea of making away with himself. Everything points to the most deliberate intention on the pert of General Boulanger to compass his own death. He a few days ago meat for his solicitor, and had all his papers set in order. Among them, it is stated,are two wills, one relating to his private and personal affairs, the other making known his last wishes to the political party which owned him for its chief, and which ho bad been the means of calling into existence. The precise terms of this document have not yet been ascertained, but it is said to contain an affirmation of undinduished confidence in the calm with which he was identified, and an appeal to his friends and colleagues to continue the political work and to endeavour to realise the aims which they hail set before them. His death, he declares, is due to a single cause—his grief at the lees of Madame de Bounemain. His infatuated passfiou for this lady is curiously illustrated by the fact that when the body was undressed &photograph of Madame do Bonnenctiu was found next to his heart. It was stained by the blood which had flowed from the wounds caused by the fatal bullet. In the General's waistcoat pockets were his gold watch and a sum of 7f., but no pocket book or papers of any description.  '