The Eddy current., 1897-12-25

WiotnihHtous DC, tt,-MNM ieliA
Herbert. daughter Of ox-secretary Of
the Navy Herbert. died IN this
city yesterday morning an the re-
suit di a fall from the third story OF
her home on New Hampshire avenue.
in the most fashionable part OF ths
city, just on Dupont Circle. The sud.
don death and tragic features sur
rounding Il gave a shock 20 the great
circle Of friends she made IN the course
Of her life In Washington as the
daughter Of the popular representative
in congress from the south. and later
~ one OF the oabiont circle Of ladies'.
when she presided over her fathers
household during the four years he
was secretary Of the navy under the
last Cleveland administration. Miss
Herbert'a ieath IL traceable in
directly 20 an accident while horseback
riding In her native state OF Alabama.
about two months ago. when she sus-
tained severe injuries 20 her back.
She WIS brought back 10 Washington.
but her recovery was exceedingly slow.
and II was not until last Sunday that
she was able 70 20 out Of the house.
Yesterday morning she was unusually
bright and cheerful. and chatted ami
matedly Il hal been Mlsa Herbcrt's
custom for several years 10 take her
breakfast IN her room. and later pre-.
pare for the social obligations OF the
day. Shortly before 10 O'Clock she
dressed to 90 downstairs, but instead
Of descending TO the parlor she went
% the rear room Of the third story Of
her home. whence she fell to the
ground. sustaining injuries which
caused her death. Her father was not
at home at the time. being on his way
here from Alabama, Her death was
reported 10 police headquarters as a
case OF suicide due 10 melancholy and
temporary liberation " mind as the
result OF long illness, but friends OF the
family believe he fall was the result
Of an accident.
Yesterday afternoon the following
authorized statement was made by
gentleman familiar with all the facts
Of tho suicide; Miss Herbert at the
time OF the accident was suffering from
acute melancholIa. II developed sew
eral weeks ago as a final result OF in
juries received by being thrown from
her horse las, spring. II was melan-
cholla. ne, in lty in the sense Of be-
ing accon ~ ~ Dy dolusions Al the
time there WIS profound depression,
and, as Il always the case In this type
OF disease. there was danger that
suicidal tendencies would develop. For
this reason nurses were provided 20
maintain the closest watchfulness. No
suicidal tendency developed. however,
until Monday. when for the first time
Miss Herbert made an attempt to get
out OF the window. but was restrained
by the nurse lais led to additional
caution, and two nurses alternated in
constant attendance. but Miss Horbers
eluded the one on duty and Jumped
10 her death. She AZ an times was
rational, quiet and gentle, and Il was
supposed the disease would yield 10
treatment. Early yesterday morning
the nurse on duty noticed blood on the
bed coverings. On making inyesttga-
tion, the nurse found that the under
bed clothes were saturated with blood,
and that Miss Herbert had severed an
artery OF her wrist with a pair OF scis.
sors. Feeling that the emergency was
sreat, The nurse hastened 20 tho door
and sounded the alarm. IN this mo-
montery withdrawal from her bedside,
Miss Herbert leaped out and then
sprang from the window. The plunge
was made head foremost. 20 she light
cd ol the top OF her head on the pave
ment When the physician reached
her Miss Herbert was slill breathins.
but died about an hour after the leap
The coroner returned verdict OF
suicide during temporary insanity.
AZ the facts IN the case were clear. he
decided that an inquest was unneees-
sary.