Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-11-02
LOVERS DEAD TOGETHER.
Mary Duff by Chloroform and E. l.
Titus by Bullet.

A tragedy as sensational as Long Islam
has ever known was disclosed when it be-
came known that Elicit Livingstone Titus,
q young broker, AMI Mary s. DUFF, the
daughter Of wealthy Brooklyn carriag5
manufacturer, after an absence Of twenty
four hcurs from the summer home Of her
father In Sea Cliff, n. Y, were found dead
in a bath house on the beach. He hal
been shot through the head. she,
according to physician who examined the
bodies, died from heart disease, which the
physician and her relatives say was super.
Induced by chloroform administered to
her by STitus to cure headache. Then
1t Is thought, the man, realizing his posi-
ton, shot himself. There was little evidence
of chloroform poisoning, except the alb
sence of rigor mortis, but bottle Of the an
aesthetic was found in the dead mans
pocket They were to have been married in
February, and when they went out for q
walk on the evening Of the tragedy both
were in good spirits.
Tragedy, pathos and tmpenetrable mystery
combine in the story. Their bodies were
found together in private bath house neal
the beach. The man had shot himself
through the head. The woman was dead
from the effects of ohloroform. They were
engaged and devoted lovers. They were tc
be married in the spring. Both were pros,
pectfvely wealthy; their relatives approve
of the match they were happy in the antic
ipation of its contamination, and not a
known cloud fecked the clear horizon Of
their future.
Yet, there is no suspicion of foul play from
hands other than their Own. 1t was either
double suicide or murder and suicide. The
conditions give equal evidence in support O.
either theory. But all evidence is lacking il
the matter of motive for either double sui
eide or murder and suicide, and that pro
vides the deep mystery OF it all.
Miss Duff was the daughter of Peter Duff
a wealthy furniture dealer of Brooklyn
whose city residence is ut 500 Clinton ave,
nue. His summer residence Is a romantic
old mansion in a hollow near the bluff that
gives the seaside village its name Mis-
Duff was the only unmarried daughter
Her sister Is Mrs. E. P. Floyd-Jones. and
John Duff is the only son. Miss Duff was
twenty-three years old. She was the kind
0; woman described oftenest as lovable
She was distinctively blond, with light brown
hair, a round, girlish face and fine brown
eyes.
Mr.. Titus was nroler's clerK, who lived
with his aunt, Mrs. Hodgskin, at 440 Clinton
avenue, Brooklyn. During the summer
months he was a guest at the Duff cottage at
Sea Cliff. He was a son of Colonel Henry
Titus, the founder of Titusvile, Fla. He
came North about seven years ago. He has
lived since with his aunt, who is the wife
of DR.. Edward Hodgskin. He and Miss Duff
had been engaged for the past three years.
Mr.. Titus was tall, handsome, athletic
young man, with a handsome face and
superb physique. He was a good oarsman
and a fine bowler. His aunt, Mrs. Hodgskin
declares that money difficulties could not
have entered into motive for death, as he
had none. He had comfortable bank ac-
count in this city. She also declares that
b 2 was without a vice.