The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-22
Miss HERBERT A SUICIDE.
Daughter Of the EX-Stcretary Of the
Navy Jumps From a Window.
SEVERED an ARTERY In THE WRIST,
This Would Have Caused Death--sh HAD
Been Suffering From Acute Meian-
oholIa for Several woeks--Eiuded
Her watchful Nurses.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Dec. A.-Miss
Leila Herbert, daughter Of e1-secretary
of the Navy Herbert, Of Alabama. jumped
from her bedroom window in the third
story OF her fathers house, on New
Hampshire avenue. this city, this fore
noon. and sustained injuries from which
she died a short time afterward. She
had been confined TO her room for some
time. the result Of an accident while
horseback riding in Virginia.
This afternoon the following authorized
statement was made by gentleman Ia
mlliar with an the facts Of the suicide:
CLOSELY WATCHED.
"Aliss Herbert at the time OF the oc-
curronce was suffering from acute melan-
chona. IL developed several weeks ago
"A the final result OF injuries received by
being thrown from hcr horse last spring.
The mclanchOiia was not insanity IN the
Ecnse OF being accompanied by delusions.
At the same time thore was profound de-
preston and. as is always the case IN
this type of disease. there was great
danger that suicidal tendencies would
O. develop. For this reason nurses were pro-
vided 10 maintain the closest watch. No
suicNal tendency developed. however, until
yesterday. when. for the first time. Miss
Herbert made an attempt 70 get out OF
the window but was restrained by the
nurse This led 10 additional caution, and
two nurses alteinatcd In constant watch
fulness Of tho patient. She was al all
times rational. quiet and gentle and II
was supposed the disease would yield TO
treatment
"Early this morning the nurse on duty
noticed a small spot Of blood on the bed
COVERINGS. She inquired what II meant.
but the invalid ondcavorcd 70 pass IT by
lightly on making an investigation,
however. tho nurse found that the under
bed clothes were saturated with blood.
and that Miss Herbert had severed the
artery Of her wrist with n pair OF scissors.
Feeling that the emergency was great
the nurse FASTENED 10 the door and sound
Cd ar alarm. In this mOmentary with
drawal from the bedside. Miss Herbert
leaped out and sprang from the window.
The plunge was made head foremost. so
fhat she lighted on the top OF her head
on the alsphalt pavement. This Injury
alone was sufficient O. have caused dcath
from conclusion and Il was doubtless the
immediate cause. Aside from this a cur
sorry examination indicated that the skull
was fractured The sevcroncc Of the ar
terry also would have resulted fatally.
When the physician reached her. Miss
Herbert was still breathing. but died
about an hour after the leap
The coroner returned a verdict Of sui
eide during temporary insanity.
AS tho facts I'm the case were clear he
decided that am inquest was unnecessary.
FATHER IL ALABAMA.
Mr.. Herbert was not al home AZ tho
time, being on his way here from Aiaba-
ma. lie was notified by telegraph Of his
daughters death
Miss Leila Herbert was the eldest of eX
Secretary Icrbcrt's three children and
was a prominent figure IN Washington
society She came with her father 10
Washington when he was elected 10 Con-
gross and at once took charge OF his
household affairs making the Herbert
home ono of The most attraotiv' ana COM
Portable in Washington from the spirit Il
true Southern hospitality. which save it
on atmosphere Of its own among fashion
ahlc homes
Whom her father became Secretary Of
the Nlvv in President Clcvcland's second
administration. Miss Herbert was called
upon % take her place I'm the circle OF Cab
iuct ladies where she met with success,
rhe heavy social responsibilities placed
upon hcr Youthful shoulders. Socially
she Was exceedingly popular and her
presence was sought at an ~-.herings.
Her social triumphs here were repeated
in Europe where she went 20 attend tho
great naval demonstration at Kiel. With
in The past year she has not enjoyed TO
bust health. but th.s only induced hor 10
rciouhc her devotion 10 out-of-dOOr
sports and exercise and 30 was while re-
gaining her health hv outdoor riding that
she mot The accident that indirectly re
suited in her dcufh