The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-17
Daughter of Ex-senator Black
burn Badly Wounded
BY a Shot Fired From Her Own
Pistol.
CALLED AN ACCIDENT.
Much Mystery Surrounds the
Unfortunate Affair.
Doctors Say She viii Probably
Recover.

Washington, Jan. 17.-Mrs. Lucille
Lane, youngest daughter of ex-senator
Joe Blackburn, of Kentucky, shot her
self in her apartments at the yelling
ton hotel Saturday night. According
to the statement given out by the fam
lily, the shooting was accidental. Both
of Mrs. Lanes physicians refused to
discuss the subject, even to the extent
of saying whether or not the wound
would prove fatal but from the best
that can be learned she will probably
recover, although now suffering severe
ly from the shock.
A friend of the family nominated to
give out a statement of the occurrence
said that, about midnight on Saturday,
Mrs. Lane was preparing to retire.
Her husband at the time was in the ad-
joining room looking over the paper.
Mrs. Lane opened a bureau drawer to
get handkerchief and picked up
handful of gloves and laces which had
been tossed together in the drawer.
behind the left shoulder, making only
lady's pistol a gift to Mrs. Lane from
her father and a possession of which
she was particularly fond. 1t caught
in a piece of lace as she raised her
hand, and, falling of its own weight.
struck the hammer on the edge of the
open drawer. The pistol exploded and
the ball penetrated her left breast.
What became of it is impossible to
say. According to the statement given
out, it struck a rib and ranged around
behind the left shoulder making only
a superficial wound At the same time
it is said that Mrs. Lane is suffering so.
from the shock that the physicians
have devoted all their energies to raj
lying her without attempting to as
certain definitely the extent of the in
jury. The most precise statement that
either physician would make was that
Mrs. Lane would probably live.
At the request Of the family, the
block in which the hotel is situated has
been rOped off
Senator Blackburn is deeply affected
by the occurrence. He does not live
with his daughter, and when the affair
occurred was summoned from his room
on New York avenue, remaining there
after at Mrs. Lanes hotel.
Lucille was the younger of Senator
Blackburn'S two daughters. She was
married in 1895 to Thomas F. Lane a
prominent business man and politician
of Summit, N. ]. At the time of the
marriage Mr.. Lane was a chief of di-
sequently he accepted a place with the
Maxim Arms company Of New York,
as their agent in Washington.
The position is reputed @ good one,
and the Lanes had apparently always
an abundance of money, which they
spent freely, living at a fashionable ho-
good things of life. Their little girl
something over a year old, was one of
the favOrites about the house with all
who knew her, and the particular pride
of her mother. Mr.. and Mrs. Lane,
according to those who saw them every
day, were unvaryingIy affectionate and
attentive to each other, and she, while
of slight physique, was in excellent
health.
Mrs. Blackburn. who is not in the
city, has been telegraphed for. Mrs
Lanes elder sister, Corinne, is the wife
of Lieutenant Colonel Hall, now at
Fort Worth, Texas.
The picture frame and art goods bust
ness will be continued at 720 Kansas
avenue. w. T. Trumbulrs old stand
with all new goods.
J. L. VAN HOUTEN,
Wall Paper and Art Goods