A STRANGE SUICIDE

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 74, 2 April 1901, Page 4

A STRANGE SUICIDE

Paris, Feb. 1.

The disappearance of Ledolin, a rich bachelor, has caused a sensation in Paris. For the last two years Ledolin has been an enthusiastic aeronaut. He has made long balloon voyages, invariably alone. He also has been experimenting for the last year, periodically announcing he was on the point of inventing apparatus which would solve the problem of aerial navigation. One of his friends, Robert Bonlueur, received a letter signed “ LodoPn,” saying flic writer was tired of life and would start immediately on a voyage, into eternity. Bonlueur hastened to his friend’s house, where he discovered that Ledolin had sailed away in his balloon at midnight. His valet, accustomed to such nocturnal excursions, suspected nothing and helped his master to embark. From that time to this nothing has been heard of .Ledolin. Notices have been sent to every community in France. .Rewards for information have boon offered throughout Belgium and Germany, but without result.

It is believed that Ledolin sought death either by jumping out when the balloon was over some unfrequented country or allowing it to descend into the Channel or the Atlantic. His friends believe that Lcdolin’s mind was unbalanced because of his failure to invent the perfect airship. This is the first case of such a suicide known or suspected since the balloon craze prevailed here.