Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-19
Sad Death of Frank E. Oorbett, a
Prominent Citizen.
RESULT OF OVERDOSE OF CHLORAL
A Man Of Many Troubles, He
Grieved in Silence.
OTHER ITEMS OF NEW
Evening Star Bureau,
No. so King Street,

man ind prominent Mason, died at TO
o'clock last night from the effects OF an
overdose of choral, taken accidentally.
Mr.. Ccrbett was one of the most popular
business men in tine city. and to know him
was to admire him. Frank Corbett, like
many others. had his troubles. They were
heavy ones, and everybody sympathized
with him. His only son. Brooke. a prom
Using youth, committed suicide March 10,
1895, in Washington, by shooting himself
in the head. after having once before at
tempted to take his life by jumping into
the river at the ferry wharf on his return
from the Western State Hospital, at Staun.
ton.
For number of years the elder Corbe.ts
family relations have been strained At
one time he, with his family, occupied a
house on South Fairfax street, and 1t was
a happy home. His wife. however decided
that she wanted to live in Washington, and
tc crafty her he purchased a handsome
residence in that city and furnished il
deliberately. This is said to have been hut
the beginning of his trouble. He left home
ard has since been living in little room
over his office, at the corner of Fairfax
ard King streets.
About month ago his daughter Miss
Fannie, was taken to the Western State
Hospital at Staunton. for treatment for
insanity. All this trouble had been bear
ing upon his mind. and he had endeavored
to drown his sorrows in drink. OF late he
had been drinking heavily. and had be-
come very nervous and was much trou-
bled with insomnia. To relieve this dis
{ rider he had been taking choral in small
quantities. Several times it is said, his
foreman. Mr.. SteiEer, had cautioned him
to be careful and not to take an overdose.
He had an appointment yesterday after
noon to go out Tito the country to the
residence of his brother. S. B. Corbett, Ito
take brace" and was waiting for Mr..
VIII WiDert. treasurer of Alexandria coun
ty. He went to a nearby drug store and
purchased 24O grains of choral, presum-
ably for the purpose of using it to relieve
his insomnia during his absence from the
city. This was about $3.50 o'clock He
returned to his office and took a seat at
his desk 1t was but a few minutes there
after when Mr.. Steiner noticed the empty
bottle in Mr.. Corbett's hand and saw that
he was in an unconscious condition.
A summons brought Dr. VIM NJ Smith
to his aid. The doctor at once went to
work on the patient, using all the restora
tives known to the profession. but without
avail. Drs. VIM. R. Purvis and H. z.
Howard arrived socn after. and they. too.
did all in their power to save the life of
the unfortunate man, but the deadly drug
had taken a hold that could not be broken.
At 100 o'clock Mr. Corbett drew his last
breath.
1t is believed by some persons that as
Mr.. Corbett sat at his desk he began to
brood anew over his many troubles, from
which he was unable TO obtain relief, and
having a large quantity of the choral in
his pocket decided in his distressed condi-
ton, to put an end to his worry forever
He swallowed the whole bottle at dose
His many friends, for Frank Corbett was
undoubtedly popular, have always done all
in their power to console and comfort him
in his troubles, and he has had the sympa-
thy of the entire community.
Mr.. Corbett was president of the Mount
Vernon Fire Insurance Company and also
National Society
proprietor of the Old Dominion Cigar Com
pany, and a member of the board of d.
rectors of the Washington Real Estate
Company. Although republican, he has
more than once been elected to the city
council on the democratic ticket. He was
a prominent member of several secret cr-
CARNATIONS, being past master Of Alex
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Lodge, A. F. and A. NJ,
member of Mount Vernon Royal Arch
Chapter and of Old Dominion Commandery,
Knights Templar.
Mr.. Corbett leaves wife and daughter
at 924 NJ street northwest, Washington.
and the daughter mentioned as an inmate
of the Western State Hospital at Staunton.
He was fifty-seven years of age, ana man
of considerable means.
The remains were taken to the undertake
ing establishment of 3. Wheatiey & Son,
where they were prepared for burial. To-
morrow afternoon at o'clock the funeral
the Masonic Temple in the city hall.
The fact that his death was caused by
business troubles is most emphatically de-
MED by his friends in this city, who say
that If he committed suicide the family
troubles were the direct cause.
Mr.. Corbett was man who will be great
ly missed by his many friends. He had
from the day he separated from his wife.
1t is said supported his family handsomely
and had on more than one occasion done all
in his power to heal tine breach.
1t is understood Mrs. Corbett entered
suit for divorce against her husband little
more than a year ago.
Miss Dninserield's Dance.
Miss Sarah V. Daingerfield entertained
large company from Alexandria, Washing
ton and Baltimore last night at Malvern"
in honor Of Miss Stokes and Miss Boykin of
Baltimore. The house was decorated with
potted plants and cut flowers, and the
green lawns dotted with myriads Of Chinese
lanterns. Dancing was the order of the
evening, and the young people enjoyed the
inspiring strains Of Donchs Orchestra. The
festivities were continued until an early
kour this morning. At midnight a sumptu-
Gus repast was served by Rauscher of
Washington.
Among those present were Mrs. Addison.
Mrs. Dawson, Mrs. VIM. j. Boothe, Misses
Stokes and Boykin of Baltimore the guests
Of honor; Misses Peachy, Browne, Lemon,
kraemer. Prescott. Rebecca Daingerfield
Hume English. Leadbeater. Daingerfield
Bryant, Hunter, Hoxton, Lee, Fawcett,
Taylor. Ramsay, Ansley. Brookes, Herbert,
Miniten and Misses Sallie and Mary Dam
gerfeld. Messrs. Smith. Beckham, Peachy,
Boykin. Fawcett, Brooks, Miller, Stuart
Nelson, Wattles, Howard, w. NJ Smith, Car
ter. Manning, Sterling. Harris, Tenant.
Wake. Leadbeater. McGill, Davis. BRYAN
Yellett, Price. Mcclure. Bryant. Min.
nigerode, Taylor. Dawson Carter and 9TH
ers.
The entertainment was one of the most
successful ever given in this vicinity,
Reception Last Night.
At the manse Of the Second Presbyterian
Church last night a reception was tender
cd Rev. j. Ernest Thacker, the new pastor.
and his wife. Capt. K. Kemper delivered
the address Of welcome Rev ]. H Butler
OF the Baptist Church also made an adj
dress. The following program was well
rendered: Vocal solo, Miss Tyler: violin
solo, Courtenay Houch; vocal solo. Mr.
Poston of Washington; overture, Misses
Ewing and Moore: vocal solo, Mr. George
Evans; instrumental duet, Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Whittlesey; recitation, Miss Nav
belle Ewing: piano solo, Miss Harrison
The entertainment was much enjoyed by
those present.
Police Court.
The following cases were disposed of in
the Police Court this morning:
Matte Hicks, charged with assault. and
Edward Bell. carrying concealed weapons;
penalty so or sixty DAYS each