Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1888-05-05 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

MADAME RACHEL'S DAUGHTER.  A SAD LIFE AND TRAGIC DEATH.  The identity of the London lady who shot herself in a cab in Piccadilly last week, and died subsequently in St. George's Hospital, is establishedbeyond a doubt. For some considerable time no clue as to whom she was could be obtained, but after her death the occupier of 25, Upper Bedford-place, Russell-square, identified her as Madame Helene Crosmond-Turner. She was well known in musical life, and as an operatic singer had achieved very considerable popularity. For some months she had lodged in Bedford-square with Captain and Mrs. Godbold, and there is no doubt that she had latterly been in pecuniary difficulties. That she had contemplated suicide for some time there is every evidence. She went to a gunsmith's shop in Pall-mall, where, in a perfectly collected manner, she asked for a revolver, explaining that she wanted it as a gift for her brother. It is no unusual matter for ladies to purchase revolvers, it is said, and there was nothing in Mrs. Turner's demeanour to excite the smallest apprehension. She required that the weapon should be cheap, but was particular to add that she needed one that "would kill." The pattern chosen was a five-chambered central-fire "bulldog," carrying cartridges of the army regulation sine. Zdozen of these cartridges were also served to her, and having paid Hs she quitted the shop. Madame Helene Crosmond-Turner's life was a peculiarly chequered one. Writing to the Daily News, &correspondent says that the suicide of the wellknown operatic prima donna has shocked a wide circle of friends, acquaintances, and admirers. "There is no doubt," the correspondent continues, "that the unfortunate lady took too much to heart the failure of her negotiations for an engagement this season at the Royal Italian Opera, Covent-garden. The story, as it was told by the prima donna herself a week or two ago to an acquaintance well known in musical life, Wan as follows:—Madame Crosmond had last season been engaged as a member of Mr. Augustus Harris's Italian Opera Company at Drury Lane. This year her engagement at the Royal Italian Opera was so far settled that the salary had been arranged, the draft contract had been sent her to be signed, and, as she expressed herself in need of ready money for her maintenance, Mr. Augustus Harris had sent her a cheque in advance. Madame Crosmond duly returned the contract signed, and with it an intimation that she intended to make her rent,* as Aida. The communication was couched in such terms that it was justifiably held to be a condition, although the lady subsequently declared it was merely a request. An interview between manager and artist ensued, and in the result, as Madame Crosmond stated, in a fit of temper, she tore up her contract. She afterwards sought to re-open negotiations, and consulted& solicitor, but in the interim Sir. Harris—be it said, with full justice—had engaged other artists in her place, and he naturally could not go beckon his word. Madame Crosmond found herself out of an engagement. The poor lady took the situation very much to heart, and in a letter written less than 48 hours before her suicide, she declared that it "will be pretty well the death of me through worry." Furthermore, she was in acute pain, and apparently had recourse to a dangerous extent to narcotics. In the same letter she says, " I have been at death's door. Sleepless nights through intense neuralgia in my head obliged me to take an overdose of a mixture which was prescribed me by my doctor to relieve pain. After some considerable hours I was brought to life by the vigilant care of two medical men. I feel still queer, especially about the eyes. I am thinking of going away for a little while." The career of Madame Helene Crosunond was almost from first to last a very sad one. She was the daughter of the notorious Madame Rachel, of "beautiful for ever" fame, and who spent a portion of her life in prison. No woman more than Helene Crosmond made a braver fight, not only by the purity of her domestic life, but also by the nicest observance of the requirements of respectable society, to lice down the remembrances of her parentage. Even till a few years ago her mother's memory was thrown at her in print by thoughtless persons, and caused her acute pain. But in due time men began to admire the struggles of a good woman to win her livelihood in an honest walk of life, and Madame Helene Crosmond has since been highly and deservedly respected by all who were brought into business correspondence with her. About 15 years ago she was a member of Mr. Carter's choir at Use Albert Hall, and shortly afterwards she entered the Royal Academy of Music in the class of Mr.Randegger. At the Academy she gained high honours, and was selected to play the principal part in a stage presentation of the first operetta ever composed by Mr. Eaton Faning, now professor of music at Harrow School. She married Mr. Turner, a wealthy City merchant, and her life seemed destined to be a happy one. But Mr. Turner died under most unfortunate circumstances, and Madame Crosmond-Turner, after successful appearances at Her Majesty's Theatre, and with Mr. slapleson's company in the United States, went to Milan, where she secured a high position, particularly for her representation of Aida. She returned here about seven years ago, since when her public career has been snore or less well known. In private life Madame Crosmond was distinguished for her brilliant conversational powers, her command of language, and her wit. She was one of the most open-minded and sensible of women, and short of brain disease, caused by trouble and physical pain, she would probably have been considered the last person in the world likely to take away her life by violence. But there is no doubt that all the sorrows and reverses she met with played so much upon her mind and led her to commit the act which all so much regret.