>Word has been received that Nick Pace, the man convicted of stealing three
>Cezannes from the Art Institute of Chicago in November of 1978, has killed
>himself.  He was apparently scheduled for a court appearance on another
>charge and, we have been told, killed himself rather than go back to jail.


I'm a native of Chicago and I remember the theft well.  I was in high
school and I had a membership to the Art Institute.  It was like a period
of mourning after the three works were stolen.  The theft had a great
impact on the museum, and members felt it nearly as much as the staff.
When the three paintings were returned there was great celebration, and the
event was marked with a reception that made national news.

Incidentally, the day after the party for the Cezannes was one of the
darkest days in Chicago History.  That day was May 25, 1979, when American
Airlines Flight 191 bound for Los Angeles, took off from O'Hare, literally
lost an engine, and plummetted back to earth killing all 273 persons on
board.  I happened to be at the Art Institute that afternoon when it
happened.  When I heard, my first instinct was to rush over to the Sears
Tower and go up to the observation deck on the 103rd floor.  From there I
could plainly see the smoke rising up from the wreckage. using binoculars
flames could clearly be seen.  It was surreal, as I watched the other
observers try to fathom the tragic event as we all watched the aftermath.
The observation deck also housed a radio station traffic report center
which continually gave updates on the crash.  I'll never forget that day.

Tragedy follows triumph.

I apologise for posting this, but the irony was too profound to ignore.

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Henry B. Crawford                                       v
Curator of History                                       v
Museum of Texas Tech University               v
Box 43191                                                   v
Lubbock, TX  79409-3191                         v
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FAX 742-1136                                            v
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All opinions expressed are mine                   v
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