Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-05
THOUGHT TO BE INSANE.
THE JURY's VERDICT ON THE
DEATH OF r. H. VAUDEVILLE.
He Evidently Contemplated Killing Him
self for Some Time-The Inquest Yes
terday.

AT O'Clock last evening Coroner
Weldon held an inquest, at the under
taking parlors Of Orr & Sutch. upon the
body of Frank H. Vaudeville, native
of Maryland, AZ years of age, who COM
mitted suicide under very sensational
circumstances on Saturday night, at the
Robarts block, on the.corner OF Seventh
and Main streets.
The first witness called was Mrs.
Amelia Shaw, the dressmaker who was
shot at by Vaudeville three times and
miraculously escaped death at the
hands of her murderous assail-
ant. Her story was in effect SIM
liar in almost every detail to
that published in yesterdays issue
of the HERALD, and therefore needs no
repetition at this time. The only new
features introduced were that on exam
lining her clothing yesterday morning
Mrs. Shaw found that q gash had been
cut with some sharp weapon through
every garment, even the whalebone OF
her corset being severed. This fact had
escaped her notice in the excitement OF
Saturday night.
1t was also learned that Mrs. Shaw
had forbidden Vaudeville the house four
weeks ago, because he had on several
occasions visited her in an intoxicated
condition, and she believed that he was
insane. At the suggestion of W. II.
Shinn, ESQ.,, the witness stated that she
had known Vaudeville since boyhood,
and was aware that his mother and sis
ter had died in lunatic asylums at New
York.
Freddy Shaw, an unusually bright
boy of IA, testified to the terrible ordeal
he was forced to undergo while locked
in the room with Vaudeville, to whose
suicide he was the only eye witness.
Officer G. E. Farmer related his expe-
rience in breaking open the door and
being confronted by Vaudeville, who,
pointing the revolver al him, ordered
him to stand back, almost Immediately
before the suicide fred the shot which
closed his career.
His testimony was fully corroborated
by G. d. Humphrey, one of the residents
in the Robarts block, who accompanied
him to the room.
The following letter, which was found
in the room by j. M. Pearson, the land
lord, after the body was removed to the
morgue, was read to the jury:
DECEMBER 81, 80.
Mr.. George E. Wise, 244}a East First street, city,
DEAR GEORGE: When borrowed the
pistol of you had no idea of putting it
to the use 1 am about to do. Don't
blame me. George, / cannot help it !;
would to God could live to reimburse
you for the many kindnesses you have
Inpa mo Aoly tho o1thOr;tiac for Tho
revolver, they will give it to you.
Goodbye George. God bless you. Re-
member me kindly to Mrs. Chapman,
and say goodbye. Sincerely yours,
FRANK H. VAUDEVILLE.
am penniless and heart-broken.
Keep the arc printer in your Office.
Frank, you may be able to dispose of it
to some one who wants to so to work.
January 8, '91.
DEAR GEORGE: Since writing the
within I stove off my acts and hoped all
was we'll, but she renewed her acts,
which has crazed me beyond control.
w. Ell. Shinn, Esq, then asked leave
to address the jury, and stated that he
had known Vaudeville for the past two
years, and believing him to be insane:
had 30 telegraphed to his uncle, DR..
Smith. OF New York, on Saturday last.
On learning the facts in the case, the
jury returned verdict Of suicide while
temporarily insane.
Mandeville's funeral will be conduct
ed by the members of the Grand Army
from the undertaking rooms of Orr &
Sutch at O'Clock this afternoon. All
GAR. men are requested to attend.
By order Logan post