, 1880-12-26
MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE.
self.Destruction Of Miss Ada Hebden
at Her Brothers Residence.
10 Cause Known, and Temporary In
sanity the Only Conjecture.

A case of suicide on merry ChTtstmaS-Day
In family having wealth, refinement, and
ill the elegant surroundings that make home
tappr and life desirable seems strange in.
deed. The story OF this startling self-murdel
IS brief A lady who came to this city about
five months ago from Canada, living at the
house of her brother, enjoying with them all
the festivities Of tlla day, after dinner stepped
into the parlor, and, placing revolver to her
heart pulled the trigger, and death resulted
In few moments after.
The scene of the tragedy was the residence
of Mr.. Robert I. Hebden, No. Sas Lake
avenue. The house is the second south OF
the corner of Thirty-ninth street, facing
east It has the appearance outside of COM
fort, with its high stoop and bay windows,
and the interior Is richly decorated and fur
nished. Mr.. Hebden holds the responsible
position OF Assistant Manager OF the branch
Of the Bank of Montreal in this city. The
household consisted Of himself, wife, little
babe some months old, his sister, Miss
Ada Hebden, and. the servants. It Is stated
By all in the vicinity that no family lived
happier than this one. 1t was remarked
by the ncighbors that Mrs. Hebden
never went out but that Mr. Hebden's sis
ter went with her. II never saw these two
ladies together" said one OF the friends OF
the family to a TRIBUNE reporter last even
They seemed like tmost. atfectlonate sisters.
aud were never apart Mrs. Heeden never
went to market without her sister-in-law
going with her, and they were apparently so
happy. can't understand it."
And that is the story Miss Ada Hebden
was charming and cultured young lady,
some q years old. She was born in Hanlil~
ton, Ont, where her father was Rector
OF an. Episcopal church: She came came
T. I've 1ssaf das aEo WA shs er had Ss
in this city except Mr.. Hebdcn's friends
who came to the house. She was delight
fully social and domestic In her habits, and
all who came In contact with her we're
charmed with her vlvacity and conversation
pertaining than Miss Hebden. She had all
the elements Of comfort that her heart could
wish for, and nothing vas left undonc by
Mr. and Mrs. Heoden that would tend n qJhe, tne
she should so suddenly determine to seek
the great beyond seems startling mystery.
Friday evening Mr.. and Mrs. 11ebden and
Miss Eebden visited Mt the residence OF Alr.
S q. Fisher, Jr., No. 3906 Lake avenue, whose
families we're enjoyinathe happiness 01 the
occasion with the little ones. Mr. Fisher
said to the reporter that Miss uebden seemed
remarkably lively to him, as she participated
sports with which the evening was passed.
She went home with her brother in the
same spirits, and arose yesterday MORN
ing apparently unchanged in her manner:
She ate her breakfast as usual, and spent
the forenoon with the family, and shortly
after the noon hour she came down to dim
l,er. The meal was very pleasant one and
gave not the slightest intflnation of the ter
rible tragedy that was to happen within half
an hour. After dinner Mr. uebden went up
stairs to the nursery to look after the child,
The, nurse having gone downstairs: Mrs.
den walked to the secretary in the parlor, from
drawer OF which she took a small Smith d
Wesson revolver. Placing herself in front Of
the l.antelpfece, sne cooked the weapon, di-
fred, the ball inf}icting a wound from
which she diedin few moments The alarm
was at once sent out to the nefghbors and a
physician called in, but life was extinct, the
leaden messenger having completed its
isson The a sa9ek .i
less great. Some six months ago he lost q
sister by death, leaving husband and five
children. who are at present being cared for
by hfr. Hebden's aged mother. Even in his
to the cruel blow it would be to that aged
mother, and he could find but little to console
him III his dire affection.
AS stated before, Miss Hebden wasa young
lady OF rare atainlnents, surrounded by all
the comforts that money could buy. She
had no cares, 6nd there seems no reason why
ehe should have taken her life, except upon
the hypothesis that she became temporarily
insane, and in that freak committed the act
She was good shot with pistol, and. as
far as known, had never insinuated by word
iife. 49, The % Coroner M and d chief Of Police were
notified, and an inquest will be held at .
o'clock this morning.