New-York tribune., 1882-02-14
SUICIDE OF AN ACTOR.

HOW A. d. BILLINGS ENDED HIS IlFE.
| DEsPONDEST OVER THE LOSS OF Ills WIFE he
SWALLOWS A QUANTITY OF LAUDASUM,
Word was sent TO the COroner's office about noon
yesterday that Ashton Dwight Billings, an actor,
had died at No. &c West Eleventh-st., from the
effects of an overdose of audanum. Mr.. Billings
was native of Charlie ton, Sc. and was thirty -elght
years old He was a member of the Union Square
Theatre Company, and PLAYED the part of Squire
Armitdge in "The Lights o. London lie pl9ycd
there for the last time on Saturday night Last ial
he played the GorcraOr Of hoscor i'll Michael
Stroeolf" and also supported Salyini during part
of the previous winter. Yesterday he was to have
attended n rehearsal for a matinee pcrformauce in
which Miss Clara Morris was 10 take part.
| About two years ago Mr.. Billings married TO
Miss Laura V Thorpe the daughter OF J. ". Thorpe
stage manager at he Union Square Theatre. They
we're PLAYING together in "My Partner" at the
time Mrs. Billings remained on the stage for
time after her marriage, but she caught severe
coll few months ago and was attacked with
pneumonia She died on December 30 Her death
was severe blow to Mr. Billings, and for time
his frenJe feared that he won d become insane
from grief He took a room in the boarding house
No. 43 West Eleventh-st., and Mr. and Mrs Thorpe
occupied ap adjoining room. Mrs. Thorp" was play
ing NiblOs Garden. Mr. Thorpe was taken II! re-
Gently. and was compelled 10 remain III his room
much Of the time. Mr.. Billings continued 10 play 1t
the Union Square Theatre bat he became very ner-
vCus and Respondent. He paced the floor of his
room for hours at time before going 10 bed at
night, and was unable to sleep we'll He often ex-
pressed wish 10 die. SAYING that his wife death
had left him without any motive for living
Mrs. Thorpe went TO the EveTgTcens Cemetery on
Sunday 10 decorate her daughter grave with flowers
She was accompanied by A. T. Harms, music
dealer, Of No. $40 Broadway, who was warm
friend of Mr.. Billings. Mr.. Ihorpe was too Ill 70
room Eo W,m nrIs mem mos % of se day M Harms and Mrs
Thorpe returned about p. M, and Mr. Harms ie-
mained for time conyerslng with Mr. Thorpe. MI
Billings had gone out fora walk early III the evening
About 9 o'clock he returned AMI few minutes later
he knocked at the room occupied by the Ihorpes,
Mr.. Harms opened the door and Ar. BILLINGS asked
him to 90 to his room for quiet talk MI. Billings
was en- partly undressed. lie began To talk about
an order winch he had given for the erection OF
monument over the grave of his wife. As he talked
he became drOwsv ard slightly lncohrrent Mt
Harms noiired the change and asked II anything
WAS the matter. Mr.. Billings said: :. have taken
some laudanum because ! can't Sleep" MI harms
crossed the room ami saw n washstand an empty
thrcc-1unCe bottle which had contained laudanu1:
Mr.. Billings then admitted that he had taken all
place, where Mr.. Billings had purchased
the dng Nj 4ness PREPARED f Are octnr am eme rae Ne
ministeied. Tr. Filings had become nsensible,
however, and Mr.. Harms summoned two physl-
cIans DE- GA Gorten, OF No. 80 East Ninth-st.. aud
DR.. James Anderson, of No. 80 UniveTsity-place
DR.. Anderson procured an electrical battery Inc
up artificial respiration and applying not poulices,
but they were unable to bring HIN TO conscious
ness. Mr.. Billings died at $3.50 a. III. yesterday.
Both Mr.. and Mrs Thorpe were much prostrated
Yesterday by the death of their son-in-law, and
they refused 10 see any persons except their ntl-
mate friends.
4. T. Harms last night gave TRIBTyE reporter
the following additional facts: Mr. Billings
was a printer at first in some Southern city,
but went on the stage when rather young.
making his frsr appearance at the Cd
BoweTy in this city. He next travelled with
Rouse's company in the carly days OF travelling
troupes. and since played throughout the states.
companies at Baldwins and McGuire's Theatres,
and also manager there and in Virginia City, Ne
yada sometimes taking ont travelling troupeS He
came to Aew-York when Boucicanlt opened
Booths Theatre with Rescued When Mrs. Bill
lings was attacked with pneumonia, She
nevertheless insisted on accompanying her
husband. to whom she was devotedly
attached, and the exposure aggravated
her complaint into consumption. Last sum
mer they spent in a cottage on Long
Island where their child was born. 1t died
last fall. Her loss preyed upon, him greatly.
Mr. Billings was a well-built man, about feet
inches tall with large chest and well propOriOHed
He had dark brown eyes and hair, smoOth-shavcn
face and refined look He was man of much
natural ability though he had little educational
advantages In early life. The funeral as far as |
know now VIII take place Wednesday. at | a. M,
in The Little Church Around the Corner. Coroner
Brady this evening came and gave "A permit for HE
burial"