Evening star., 1900-10-16
DESPONDENCY PRODUCED BY DISEASE
Deceased Was Son-in-Law Of
Former Senator Blackburn.
PARTICULARS OF TRAGEDY

d
K street northwest. The sad affair was the
result it is stated, of fear on the part OF
Mr.. Lane that he had Brights disease He
had been told, the coroner was informed.
that he had the disease, and that it would
result in his death unless he took better
care of himself than he had been taking.
Because of the fear this warning engen-
dered he had been taking stimulants. The
matter had preyed upon his mind, 1t is
stated to the extent of rendering him ir-
responsible for what he did last night.
For several days Mr.. Lane had been in
an extremely nervous condition. He was at
his office, No. I22 1Tth street, during the
day. and went home late in the afternoon,
where he ate dinner with his wife and
child. He had intended going to see the
minstrel show last night, but for some rea-
son changed his mind and remained at
home until about 8 o'clock when he told
his wife he. was going out for walk.
Nearly two hours later he returned and
was soon ready to retire. Before going to
his room he kissed his wife goodnight and
also gave his little daughter, Tnerese,
farewell embrace Neither his conversation
nos manner gave his wife any idea that he
contemplated self-destruction
Child Witnesses the Deed.
When her husband went to the front
room on the second floor. where he had
been accustomed to spend his nights, Mrs.
Lane went into small room on the same
floor and sought rest on couch. Little
Therese soon followed him from her moth
er's room and partly closed the door be-
hind her, which prevented the mother from
distinctly understanding what was said.
She heard the little one talking to her
father as if inquiring why he was loading
b;e hat ha W.
with it, Before the sounu of the child
voice had died away, Mrs. Lane star
tied at the report OF the weapon. Rushing
to the room where her husband and child
were, she discovered her husband in
dying condition lying on the bed. she saw
no blood from the wound. which had been
made just behind the right ear. She was
satisfied, however, from the expression of
his face that he had received a mortal
wound.
The little daughter, hardly old enough to
realize the seriousness of the tragedy she
had Witnessed was still a the bedside of
her father. Realizing that prompt action
might be of some avail, Mrs. Lane sum-
moned DR.. Joseph Taber Johnson, who lives
in the adjoining house. Drs. James Kerr
and W. P. Carr We're also summoned, and
they remained with the wounded man until
about midnight, when he died.
Course of the Bullet.
The bullet was discovered to have entered
upward course through the brain, lodging
in the skull. It was found that the skull
had been broken and the scalp slightly
raised. All the doctors could do was to
make the effort to prevent unusual suffer
ing on the part of the patient, and in this
they were successful.
Mrs Lane became nervous and hysterical.
She remained at her husbands bedside un-
til death claimed him, and even after he
died she refused to leave the room. On
account of her nervous condition the doc
tors found it necessary to prescribe for her.
Today, it was stated at the house, she was
in serious condition.
Coroner hewitt called at the house early
this morning and made an investigation of
the case. He heard Mrs. Lanss account
of the death of her husband. She told him
of the latter's condition during the past
few weeks and Of how the fear of death
from Bright's disease had preyed upon his
mind. The bereaved woman also told of
the little daughter going into the room and
Of what was done to save life after the
shot was fired. A certificate of death from
a self-inflcted wound was given, and Un-
dertaker Gawler prepared the body for
burial.
Expressions of Sympathy.
Mr.. ]. w. Blackburn, nephew of the
ex-senator, and Mr. Davis, a friend of the
family, were among the early arrivals at
the house, and they took charge Of affairs
this morning Many persons who heard of
the sad tragedy called at the house today
and extended their sympathy to the be-
reaved widow.
1t has been only about three years since
Mrs. Lane came near dying from a pistol
shot wound. At that time, when their child
was only about a year old, the Lanes were
living at the Hotel Wellington. One day,
while Mrs. Lane was getting some laces
from bureau drawer. revolver that was
kept there was accidentally pulled out with
the laces. In some manner it was dis
charged and the bullet entered the wo-
mans chest. In the course of time she re-
covered and has since experienced no in
convenience from 1t. While last nights at
fair has seriously affected her nervous sys-
tenn the doctors think she will soon re-
cover.
Ex-senator Blackburn, her father, ad-
dressed democratic meeting at Williams
port, Nd, last night. After delivering the
address he returned to Hagerstown to
spend the night. He received a message
there this morning telling him of the
suicide and he came here The suicide of
his son-in-law will in all probability greatly
interfere with his campaign work, and may
possibly prevent his making any more
speeches.
Sketch of the Deceased.
Thomas F. Lane. the deceased, was a ma
tive Of New Hampshire although he spent
number OF years or his life at Summit,
N. j., to which place his parents moved
when he was a boy. Seven years ago he
came to this city and during Cleveland's
second administration he was chief of a
division In the Treasury Department He
gave up his government position to accept
a situation with a steel factory that was
engaged In manufacturing gun mounts, and
later he became the American agent of the
London firm. Six years ago he married
Miss Lucille Blackburn, the youngest of
three daughters Of the ex-senator and was
well known in Louisville. as he was in this
city. During his residence here he made
many friends to whom his violent death
was a severe shock. The position he held
with the London firm paid him a good
salary and he had other sources of income
which enabled him to live in good style
and provide his family with many luxuries
of life in addition to a magnificent home.
Funeral Arrangements Deferred.
The funeral arrangements have not yet
been made. 1t is likely that the place of
burial will not be determined until the rel