New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-22
PRICE THREE CENTS.
MISS HERBERT A SUICIDE.
LEAPED FROM A WINDOW WHILE
TEMPORARILY INSANE.
SHE WAS THE SECOND DAUGHTER OF PREst'
DENT CIEvELAND's SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY AND A wELL-KNowN FIGURE
IN WASHINGTON soCIETY-DE-
TAILS OF THE DISTRESS
ING TRAGEDY.
fsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBUHEJ
Washington. Dec. 21-Washington society
suffered painful shock to-day when the news
snread that Miss Leila Herbert. the daughter
Of the former Secretary of the Navy, Hilary a.
Herbert. had committed suicide by throwing
herself from a third-story window at her
fathers home in this city Miss Herbert had
been suffering for some time from the results
NJ q fall from horseback, and had been unoer
treatment for nervous disorder as Wen, anu
the act which ended her life was evidently COM
mitted while in a At OF temporary ihsahi.y'
The Coroner who was summoned after the pooy
had been picked up lifeless from the concrete
pavement on which It fell did not thinK u
necessary to hold inquest, but immediateiy
gave n certificate of death by suicide, inouceo
by rnelancholia The ex-Secretary OF the Navy
who happened to be absent on visit 10 MohV
gomcry Ala. was telegraphed Tor, ana VIII dr.
rive here to-lmorrow morning.
Miss Herbert was one Of the most prominent
figures socially in the second Cleveland Ad-
ministration Though apparently taking little
interest in society during the last years ner
father served in the House of Representatives,
she took up, after his appointment to the Caoi'
net, with great zeal and energy the task OF en-
tertainlng thrust upon her, and by her tact
consideration and sincerity won place IN
Washington life rarely attained by an ofncla1
hostess. Her tragic death will bring sorrow
to a large circle Of friends. both here and be-
yond the limits Of the National capital who
will remember her as q young woman OF true
refinement unselfshness OF character ana hlgn
personal attractions.
THE RESULT OF AN INJURY.
The following authorized statement was made
this afternoon by person familiar with all the
circumstances Of the suicide: Miss Herbert at
cpffa frnYn
acute melancholia 1t developed several weeks
ago as the final result of injuries received by
being thrown from her horse last spring. The
melancholia was not insanity in the sense OF be.
ing accompanied by delusons Al the same
time there was profound depression and. as 10
always the in this type OF disease, there
was great danger that suicidal tendencies would
develop. For this reason nurses were provided
TO maintain the closest watchfulness. No sui
cida tendency developed, however, until yester-
day. when for the first time Miss Herbert made
an attempt to get out CT che window. but was
| restrained by the nurse. This led TO additional
caution, and two nurses alternated In constant
watchfulness of the patient. She was at all
times rational, quiet and gentle and it was sup
posed the disease would yield to treatment
Early this morning the nurse duty noticed
| a small spo, of blood on the bed-coverng. She
| inquired what Il meant. but the invalid endeav-
ored TO pass II by lightly. On making an In.
vcstlgation. however. the nurse found that the
under bedclothes were saturated with blood.
and that Miss Herbert had severed the artery
! the emergency great. the nurse fastened to
| the door and called an alarm. In this momen-
ary withdrawal from the bedside Miss Herbert
! eaped out of bed and sprang from the
window. The plunge was made headfore-
most. that she alishted on the top OF
her head on the asphalt pavement. This
|
death from concussion, and II was doubtless the
! immediate cause. Aside from this cursory
| examination indicated that the skull was fract-
ured. The severance of the artery also would
/ have resulted fatally. When the physician
reached her Miss Herbert was still breathing.
! but died about an hour after the leap"
Miss Herbert had been enthusiastically fond
| Of riding, and last September she started out
one day in Virginia on horse which had not
| been well broken. 1t stumbled, and she was
| thrown violently TO the ground sustaining Sc
| we're injuries to her back. She brought 10
Washington. but recovery was exceedingly slow.
and it 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 acci-
| dent. and DR.. w w. Johnston. the attending
! physician, noticed considerable improvement.
! This morning she unusually bright and
cheerful. and chatted animatedly with her mar
! ried sister, Mrs. Micou. who made her home
with the ex-Secretary and his daughter.
A MEMBER OF THE CABINET CIRCLE
Miss Herbert was the second daughter Of the
| his home here since the death OF his wife. As
| member Of the Cabinet circle OF the last Ad-
| ministration she became widely known In this
| city. and, in fact throughout the country. Dur
| Ing tnat period she made a summer trip to Eu-
| rope, and was presented to Queen Victoria at
| one OF the May drawing-rooms two years ago.
While never OF vigorous constitution, for per.
| son Of her delicate physique she was unusually
devoted 10 outdoor life and sports, and II was
| a matter Of general pleasure TO her friends that
| she became stronger and stur6ier the years
| went by Naturally OF a gentle and retiring
| disposition, and woman who talked little, the
! sudden transformation from the seeming quiet
| OF a Congressional home In Washington to that
OF Cabinet residence made little change in her
/ demeanor She took up the duties OF her posi-
| ton gladly, and was one OF the most prominent
| OF the Official hostesses during the last four
years. She knew many people In Washington.
| notably those Of Southern blood and kept up
| with all the old interests with which she was
| connected In former times.
| Miss Herbert educated partly in this city
where her parents lived during Mr.. Herbsrt's
| service In Congress A year or two ago she was
appointed the Vice. Regent for Alabama on tho
| Board Of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
| taking the place held by her mother for many
years, and filed by the latter with great dis
| tinction Miss Herbert much pleased by the
appointment. and attended to its duties with
| untiring industry. Last summer she was pres
| ent at the annual council and took active
part in every detail Of the work allotted to her.
| Miss Herbert OF medium height, with q
! slender. graceful figure and carried herself with
| great dignity. Her features were almost cor
rect in outline. and her curly blonde hair and
| pink and white complexion were like those OF a
| young child. She a devoted daughter, and
| felt no sacrifice too great TO secure her fathers
| pleasure and comfort. For the last few months
| owing to her injuries she had been seen little
| In Washington society.
|