Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-22


sense of being accompanied by delusions
At the same time there was profound
depression, and as is always the case in
this type of disease, there was great dan
ger that suicidal tendencies would devel-
Op. For this reason. nurses were provided
TO maintain the closest watch. No sui
cidal tendency developed, however, until
yesterday, when, for the first time, Miss
Herbert made an attempt to get out or
the window. but was restrained by the
nurse This led to additional caution, and
two nurses alternated in constant watch
fulness of the patient. She was at all
times rational quiet, and gentle. and II
was supposed the disease would yield 10
treatment
Early this morning the nurse on duty
noticed a small spot Of blood on the bed
covering. She inquired what il meant, but
the invalid endeavored 10 pass it by light
ly. On making an investigation, however,
the nurse found that the under bed
clothes were saturated with blood, ana
that Miss Herbert had severed the artery
of one of her wrists with a pair of scis-
sors. Feeling that the emergency was
great. the nurse FASTENED to the door and
sounded an alarm. In this momentary
withdrawal from the bedside Miss Her
bert leaped out and sprang from the win
dow The plunge was made headforemost,
so that she fell on the top of her head
on the asphalt pavement This injury
alone was sufficient 10 have caused death
from concession, and it was doubtless the
immediate cause. Aside from this, cur
sorry examination indicated that the skull
WIS fractured. The severance Of the arte-
IN also would have resulted fatally. When
a physician reached her Miss Herbert
was still breathing, but she died about an
hour after the leap"
VERDICT OF SUICIDE.
The Coroner returned a verdict Of sui
eide during temporary insanity As the
facts in the case were clear, he decided
that an inquest was unnecessary.
Mr.. Herbert was not at home at the
time. being on his way here from Ala
bama. He was notified by telegraph Of
his daughters death.
Miss Leila Herbert was the eldest OF
ex-Secretary Herberts three children,
and was a prominent figure in Washing
ton society. she came with her father
TO Washington when he was elected TO
Congress. and at once took charge or MS
household affairs, making the Herbert
home one of the most attractive ana
comfortable in Washington, from The
spirit of true southern hospitality, when
gave II an atmosphere Of its own among
fashionable homes.
When her father became Secretary of
the Navy in President Clevelands second
administration. Miss Herbert was called
upon TO take her place in the circle OF
Cabinet ladies, where she met with sue
cess the heavy social responsibilities
placed upon her youthful shoulders. So
cially, she was exceedingly popular 9nd
her presence was sought at all gather-
ings. Her social triumphs here were re-
heated in Europe, where she went TO at
tend the great naval demonstration at
KEEL Within the past year she had not
enioved robust health, but this only IN
duced her TO redouble her devotion TO
out-of-door sports and exercises, ana IL
was while regaining her health by out
door riding that she met the accldeht
that indirectly resulted in her death.
MISS HERBERTS PERSONALITY.
Naturally of gentle and retiring uls-
position. and a woman who talked but NJ
lie. the sudden transformation from 'he
seeming quiet OF a congressional nome III
yyosbineton to that of a Cabinet residence
made but little, if any, change IN MISS
Uerhert's demeanor. She took up the
duties of her position gladly, and was one
of the most prominent Of the oficlal nos
tesses during the last four years. She
knew a great many people IN Washing
ton notably those of southern blood anu
vent nm with all the old interests with
which She was identified in former times
Miss Herbert was educated partly IN TINS
CITY where her parents resided during
Mr. Herbert's several congressional terms.
a wear or two ago she was appointed the
yjce-reeent for Alabama on the Board OF
the MI. Vernon Ladies Associatioh,
taking the place held by her mother ioi
many wears. and filed by the latter win
Great distinction. Miss Herbert was mucil
pleased by the appointment, and attended
~ ms duties with untiring industry. Last
summer she was present at the amman
councu. and took an active part In every
detail of work allotted TO her
Miss Herbert was very pretty woman
she was OF medium height with a sien-
der graceful figure, and carried herseii
With great dignity. Her features were al
most correct in outline, and her curry
blonde hair and pink and white complex
ion were like those OF young chllu' She
vas devoted daughter, and ieit no
sscr,Nce too great to secure her father
nIeasure and comfort. Last summer she
sr,.n, of and on I'm this city, ana al near
-, country resorts. with her fatner ahu
sis,er Mrs. Micou. 10 whose niue c.h-
a., she was fondly attached Re'urnihe
- tovn for the winter. the family reh,eo
.Sa house on New Hampshire avenue
IN they at once transferred their De-