A Sensational Suicide*

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 174, 29 June 1883, Page 2

A Sensational Suicide*

No small sensation has been created (says the Paris correspondent of the Times) by the suicide of M. Biedermann, a wholesale oil-dealer, m consequence oC rach speculatione. He bought a re* volyer and cartridges on the plea of going on a journey, took it away loaded,' : visited his two warehouses, and bade the cashier join him at halt-past 12 at the coaming-bouse of his bank and warehouse and partner M. Carlia. All this time he had discussed topics of business, and shown no suspicious symptoms j but on arriving at M. Carlin's establishment he deliberately shot himself. He bad organised a " ring," which had bought up 45 million kilogrammes of coiza oil m Berlin Cologne, and Hamburg and, thus securing » monopoly, had run the price up from 75f to 105f or llOf. Indeed, ie may be said that the Parisians who use very little gas m private houses, have all through the wiater been paying a high price for oil for the benefit of the Biedermann ring. Of late, however, there have been symptoms of a rex action, and between Thursday and Saturday prices for cash fell from lOjSf to 88f. M. Biedermann had sufficient funds to moet hit> liabilities up to August, but had no prospect of then avoiding ruin,and hence his suicide. Bat a few years ago he was a ; clerk at 1800/ a year. Mr Carlin detected his business qualities, and opened the. way tor him, on one occasion lead ins; him 800 % 000f in -a lump. They were, partners iv this last speculation , but it is supposed that the deceased fancied he had some cause for resentment, and on this ascount committed suicide at the bank-in order to foil any attempt at hushing the matter up. There is still, however, some mystery m the affair.