Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-21
HALLET KlLBoURN.s INSANE
Proceedings Begun to Secare His Admission
to St. Eimbeth's Asylum.
The Writ Applied tor With His
bf e
Hearing TOm9rraw,


afternoon when It was learned that the
Commissioners Of the District of Columbia
were about to institute lunacy proceedings,
looking toward the commitment of Mr..
Hallet Kilbourn, a prominent resident of
this city, to the government asylum for the
insane. little later the attorney for the
Commissioners fled a petition with the
clerk Of the District Supreme Court ask
ing that writ de lunatico inquirendo issue
to determine the sanity OF Mr.. Kilbourn.
Accompanying the petition was an affidavit
Of DR.. Harry C. Narrow of .S14 18th street.
who declared under oath that he had made
an examination and considered Mr.. Kill
bourn insane and a fit subject for treat
ment at the government asylum The case
will be referred to the United States mar
shall for the District of Columbia, whose
duty it is to summon jury and conduct a
hearing to determine the question of the
sanity or the party referred to.
Feared by His Friends.
The intimate friends of, Mr. Kilbourn
have been aware of his unfortunate mania
On the subject OF his self-destruction for
year past, and they have exercised every
effort to change the current Of his thoughts
Several months ago he wrote dissertation
on suicide, in which his keen reasoning
powers, misdirected in this instance as
they certainly were, showed no signs of
decline. Attempts were made by his friends
to interest him in business ventures, and
several very dattering propositions were
extended to him, but to all he gave either
declination or failed to notice the offers.
He admitted the force Of the pleas and
arguments of his friends, and to one not
long ago he said:
II know, old fellow, If our places were
changed 1 would talk to you just rs you
have talked to me; but It's no use. It's got
to be DONE"
He had simply given up any idea of
struggling against his long cherished pur-
rose, and it was only question OF time for
him to carry 1t out.
Widespread Sorrow.
The news Of his terrible atfiiction caused
genuine distress wherever it was carried.
He is popular to a degree beyond expression
among all who have known him, and his
acquaintance was as broad as the CONT
nent. Few men in public life during the
past third Of a century have not known
and liked him, and his wit and wisdom
have been recounted from one end of the
country to the other. Financial reverses
in recent years are believed to be solely
the cause Of the melancholia which has re-
suited so terribly .,
1t was the intention of the family to pro-
vide for the treatment of Mr.. kilbourn at
his home but because of the fact that he
has of late made several determined efforts
to end his life, it became absolutely neces-
e.hS tSpS " nave 4AAi SdISu IOF d.
Attempts at Snfcile.
Mr.. Kilbourn. with his Wife and married
daughter. have been residing at 1877 K
street. The afflicted man, 1T us said, first
attempted suicide December u by swallow
ing a quantity of morphine and inhaling
u @e
He was discovered in ), an unconscious
condition on the floor of cl1is aroom by his
daughter. Physicians werer, hastily sum-
moned, and with the aid of a stomach
pump Mr.. kilbourn's life was saved.
Another attempt to end his life Is said to
have been made by Mr.. 5kit,onrn last Sun
DAY evening. He announced his intention
to retire shortly after ,10t o' clock, explain
Ing that he was feeling unWreiia Some time
Ia ter. upon going to her fathers ROOM the
daughter detected the8odQr of ehloroform
and making an investigation found he had
wrapped bed sheet around his head and
poured or the sheet a quantity of clloro-
FORM Then turning on the gas he sank
back on his bed. Prompt medical efforts
prevented the success of this second at
tempt at suicide.
Mr.. Kilbourn informed his wife and
daughter that he was determined to end
his life, and that it was useless for them
to attempt to prevent him. He explained
that the impulse was so strong that he
could rot resist it, and that there appeared
to be some unseen force impeling him in
that direction.
Although close watch was kept, Mr.
kilbourn arose from his bed last Wednes-
DAY evening, raised the window and was
about to jump therefrom. An attendant
entered the room just in time to prevent
the leap. A consultation was thereupon
held. 1t was decided that the only course
remaining was to have the sufferer removed
to st. Elizabeths. According to Mrs Kill
bourn, her husband realizes that it is best
for him to go to that institution, and that
the iunacy proceedings have been insti-
Cnraf Ifcy 1l,,I
is entirely clear on all subjects other than
that of suicide.
Jury Will Act Tomorrow.
The attorney for the District stated to
a Star reporter today that the inquiry in
the case of Mr. Kilbourn will be held at
the city hall building tomorrow morning
at II o'clock.
Mr.. Kilbourn is sixty-five years of age
He was born in Rochester, N. Y, and lived
there until 1S49, when be went to Cali
fornia on the receipt of news of the dis
removed to Akron, Ohio, where he was
married. From that place he removed to
Davenport, Ind. Mr. Kilbourn came to
Washington as a presidential elector for
Abraham Lincoln, and afterWard held Of
nee as special cotton agent, and also as
chief clerk of the Interior Department.
Ardent in Washinston's Behalf.
While In this position Mr.. Kilbourn COM
nenced to display and exercise his Jealous
energy in behalf Of the regeneration of the
national capital, which he has always ex-
erted since toward it's advancement and
progress. He was one Of the small but de-
termined body Of men of whom Alexander
K. Shepherd aftecward became the leader
ana the instrument to make Washington
worthy of its distinguished position among |
cities, and bent all his purpose to accom- |
pushing the reforms and changes which |
maze this achievement possible. Leaving
the government service, he became q mem
per OF the real estate firm of Kilbourn &
Latta.
A Famous Case,
In January, 1876, Representative John M. |
Glover of Missouri INTRODUCED in the House |
OF Representatives a resolatio11, which was |
passed. providing for the appointment of |
special committee of fiversmembers to in
vestigate the nature and1a history of the |
matter known as the reaI1estate pool and |
the character Of the interests which the |
firm of j. Cooke & Company had in the |
involved and the ehapacter of the |
settlement made by Trustee Edward NJ. |
Lewis of the effects of ]. Cooke. & Company |
made with the associations sof the said |
hrm-and the amount paid OF to be paid |
in settlement, with powerito send persons |
and papers and report tn fhe 3Hol1Se