The sun., 1897-12-22
DEATH OF MISS HERBERT
Daughter Of Former Secretary Of
the Navy.
ILL FROM AN ACCIDENT
Her Death Due to Melancl1Ofia and
Temporary Alteration of Mind
Due to Suffering

which is situated on New Hampshire
ave-, in the most fashionable part OF the
city, just off Dupont Circle. The sud
den death and the tragic features sur
rounding it were great shock to the cir
Gle of friends which she had made in the
course of her life in Washington as the
daughter of a popular representative in
Congress from the South, J., and later as one
Of the Cabinet coteries of women, when
she presided over her fathers household
during the four years he was Secretary
OF the Navy under the last Cleveland ad-
ministration.
Miss Herbert met with an accident
while horseback riding in her native
State Of Alabama about two months ago.
She always had been fond OF riding.
While paying a visit to her old home
she started out on a horse that had not
been well broken. 1t stumbled. She
was thrown violently to the ground, ,sus-
tanning severe injuries to her back.
She was brought back to Washington,
but her recovery was exceedingly slow.
It was not until last Sunday that she was
able to go out Of the house. On that day
she went driving for the first time since
the accident. DR.. w. w. johnson, the
attending physician, noticed considerable
improvement in her condition.
This morning Miss Herbert seemed to
be unusually bright and cheerful. She
chatted animatedly with her married sis
ter, Mrs. Micou, who made her home
with the ex-Sec1etary and his daughter.
1t had been Miss Herbert's custom to
take her breakfast in her room, and later
prepare for the social obligations of the
day. Shortly before 10 o'clock she
dressed to go downstairs. But instead OF
descending to the parlor she went to the
rear room of the third story Of her home,
whence she jumped to the ground. sus-
tanning injuries which caused her death
before DR.. johnson could arrive.
Her father was not at home at the
time, being ON his way here from Ala
bama.
The death was reported to police head
quarters as a case OF suicide due to mel
ancholia and temporary alteration of
mind as the result of long illness.
The Coroner returned verdict If
suicide during temporary insanity. As
the facts in the case were clear, he de-
cided that an inquest was unnecessary.
Miss Leila Herbert was the eldest of
former Secretary Herbert's three chill
dren, and was a charming figure in
Washington society. She went with her
father to Washington when he was elect
ed to Congress, and at once took charge
OF his household affairs, making the
Herbert home one OF the most attractive
and comfortable in Washington. She
gave an air of true Southern hospitality
to her entertaining. When her father be-
came Secretary of the Navy in President
Cleveland's second administration Miss
Herbert was called upon to take her
place in the circle of cabinet women.
There she met with fresh success. So
cially, she was exceedingly popular. Her
presence was sought at all gatherings.
Her social triumphs here were repeated
in Europe, where she went to attend the
great naval demonstration at kiel.
Within the past year she has not en-
joyed robust health. But this only
induced her to redouble her devotion to
out-of door sports and exercise.
Miss Herbert christcned the battle
ship Massachusetts when that vessel was
launched at Cramps shipyard, June 10,
1893. She was accompanied by her mar
ried sister, Mrs. Micou, Mrs. McAdoo,
Miss. Dolph, Miss Steward and the
daughters and wives OF other Senators.
She was then notable blonde, and car
ried bouquet of lilies of the valley and
). .chids. Mrs. Micou carried bouquet
Df La France roses. Miss Herbert hung
lar over the vessel and swung quart
bottle of wine in her right hand. The
bottle was beautifully fcstooned with
The battleship started sudden
y and Miss Herbert was for a moment
but recovered her presence OF
mind and duly christened the big ship.