The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-22

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-SIlss Leila
Herbert; daughter of ex-secretary of the
Navy Herbert, of Alabama, committed
suicide at her home In this city this
morning, by throwing herself from the
third story of her home on New Hamp-
shire avenue, in the most fashionable
part Of the city, just off Dupont Circle.
Her death was traceable directly to an
accident while horseback riding in VIr-
Glna about two months ago, She al
ways had been enthusiastically fond of
riding and while paying visit to an
old friend, started out one day on a horse
which stumbled and she was thrown TO
the ground, sustaining severe injuries to
her back. she was brought back TO
Washington, but recovery was exceed
ingly slow, and II was not until last Sun
day that she was able to go out OF the
house. On that day she went driving for
the first time since the accident and DR..
W W. Johnston, the attending physi-
c!an noticed considerable improvement.
This afternoon the following author
Izcd statement was made by gentle-
man familiar with all of the facts of the
suicide:
Miss Herbert at the time OF the oc-
currence was suffering from acute mel
ancholia. 1t developed several weeks
ago as the final result of injuries received
By being thrown from her horse last
spring. The melancholia was not insan-
.,y In the 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
grea. danger that suicidal tendencies
would develop. For this reason nurses
we're provided to maintain the closest
watchtulness. No suicidal tendency de-
veloped. however, until yesterday, when
for the first time, Miss Herbert made an
attempt to get out OF the window, but
was restrained by the nurse. This led
10 additional caution and two nurses al
lernated In constant watchfulness OF the
patient. She was at all times rational,
quiet and gentle and 1t was supposed
the disease would yield to treatment.
Early this morning the nurse on duty
noticed a small spot OF blood on the bed
coyerlld. She inquired what 1t meant
and the invalid endeavored TO pass II by
lightly. On making an investigation,
however, the nurse found that the under
bed clothes were saturated with blood
and that Miss Herbert had severed the
artery OF her wrist with a pair Of scls-
sors.
Feeling that the emergency was great,
the nurse hastened to the door and called
an alarm. In this momentary with
drawal from the bedside Miss Herbert
Ieaped out and sprang from the top
window. The plunge was made head
foremost SO that She lighted on the top
OF her head on the asphalt pavement.
This injury alone was sufficient to have
caused death from conclusion, and 1t
was doubtless the immediate cause,
Aside from this n cursory examination
indicated that the skull was fractured
The severance OF the artery also would
have resulted fatally. When the physi-
clan reached her Miss Herbert was stlll
breathing. but died about an hour after
the leap"
eide during temporary insanity. As the
facts In the case were clear, he decided
that an inquest was unnecessary.
Miss Leila Herbert was the eldest OF
ex.secretary Herberts three children
and was Il charming figure In Washing
10 nsoclety. She came with her father
20 Washington when he was elected to
Congress and at once took charge of his
household affairs, making the Herbert
nome one Of the most attractive and
comfortable In Washington from the
spirit OF true Southern hospitality which
gave II an atmosphere OF its own among
fashionable homes. When her father
became secretary OF the navy In Pres-
dent Clevelands second administration.
Mise Herbert was called upon to take her
place In the circle OF cabinet ladies'
where she met with success the heavy So
cIal responsibilities placed upon her
youthful shoulders.
Socially she was exceedingly popular
0nd her presence was sought at all gath
trinEs. Her social triumphs here were
repeated In Europe. where she went to
attend the great naval demonstration at
KIcl. within the past year she has not
enjoyed robust health. but this only In
duced her to redouble her devotion TO
out-uf-dOor sports and exercise and II
was while reRaining her health by out
door riding that she met with the nccl-
dent that Indirectly resulted In her death.