The Sun. — 1859-02-07 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN C.RELTEN HAM-A LOVE AFFAIR.  CHELTENHAM, Feb. 4.—considerable consternation was occasioned among a portion of the inhabitants of High-street and its vicinity, in this town, on the evening of Thursday, by a report that a foreigner, a Swiss by birth, named Philibert de Chastellain, had shot himself through some disappointment in a love affair. This gentleman, who was known as Baron de Chastellain, had during the last month or five weeks been lodging at the Eight Bells Commercial Hotel, Church-street, one of the many thoroughfares leading into High-street. He came to Cheltenham to pursue an acquaintance he had formed with the daughter of Mr. Skeolan, a photographic artist, who has an establisament here, their intimacy having first sprung up in Manchester, where the baron is well known. Since his arrival, it is reported that he has repeatedly seen the object of his attachment, but whether with her parents' consent is not stated. It is publicly known, however, that they have been present together at private parties, and in every respect he has evinced for her a most desperate passion. Latterly it has been noticed by the landlady of the hotel where the baron was staying that he was at times much depressed, and was seemingly full of trouble, and exactly three weeks ago yesterday she was somewhat alarmed by his purchasing a pistol in the town, which he showed to her on his return home. With natural prudence and foresight she communicated this circumstance to the Skeolans, and an effort was made by Mr. Skeolan, jun., who was his companion, to obtain the weapon from him, but without success. Happening, however, one day to meet Mr. Skeolan's servant-maid, the baron himself voluntarily gave up the pistol to her, it being then loaded, and by her it was conveyed to her young mistress (Miss Skeolan), in whose possession it remained until within a very short period of the suicidal attempt. How it got back into the baron's possession is not stated. Yesterday morning he rose about nine o'clock, and at one dined at the market ordinary at the hotel. Soon after dinner he retired to his bedroom, as was understood, ix order to prepare for his leaving Cheltenham, which he had previously said he was about to do. In the course the afternoon a message was brought to him by Miss Skeolan's servant-maid, and by her delivered to him in his bedroom ; but she had scarcely quitted the hotel before the inmates were alarmed by the bell in the baron's apartment ringing' violently. A domestic immediately answered it, and was horrified to discover that the baron had shot himself in the chest, a pistol being still on the bed. When communicated with, he cried out, " I have shot myself, but cannot die, Mary Jane," that being Miss Skeolan's Christian name. Surgeons wore immediately sent for, and every possible assistance rendered. Upon the dressing. table at the side of the bed were numerous letters all packed up, and supposed to be of an amatory nature; besides three which had just been written, two being addressed to gentlemen in Paris and one to Naples. They were sealed and had postage stamps ready affixed for posting. There was, in addition, also another letter, sealed, but not directed, and also lying upon the table was a portrait of the young lady with some of the hair attached. The most unremitting medical attention had been bestowed, but at present the condition of the baron is almost hopeless. The pistol was charged with shot, according to his own admission, and the weapon was placed at the pit of the chest. It does not seem, however, to have been in very close proximity to the heart.  [