The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-17
A BULLET IN HIS BRAIN
Thomas +. Lane Kills Himself in a
Fit of Dependency.
Discouraged by Ill Health-His Four
Iear-OId Daughter a Witness to
the Decd-Deccnscd n SDn-in-Law
of Senator-elect Blackburn. Of
kentucl<y-Furernl Arrangements.

Tired of life, Thomas F. Lane, son-in-
Law of Senator-elect Blackburn. of Ken
lucky. put an end to his life Monday night
at Ii: SO o'clock by firing bullet into
his brain at his home, 1870 X Street
northwest. Mr. Lane had not been in the
best of spirits for several weeks. He had
| been informed by his physicians. it is said.
that he had Bright's disease, and the an
nouncement of the fact seemed to prey
upon his mind He was warned that I'M
less he was careful of his health he would
not live long This troubled him, but if
he contemplated suicide no one knew
of it.
Mrs. Lane noticed on Monday that her
husband seemed to be in very low spirits.
She tried to cheer him up and advised
that he follow the family physicians in
struction. He remained at home the best
part of Monday, but in the evening went
down town, returning at 1880 p m,
when he conversed with his wife short
while, seeming TO be in a much better
frame of mind than when he went out.
About Ills o'clock Mr.. and Mrs. Lane
and their daughter prepared for bed. Mr..
Lane was the first to retire and 1t is sup
posed that when he got into bed he took
with him his revolver and a box contain
ing few cartridges. He was not OBJ
| served to do SO, however. When little
Therese was ready for her crib Mrs Lane
took the child to her room adjoining that
occupied by the father and mother. The
child was about to get in bed when she
remembered that he had not kissed her
father good night. She ran lightly into
his room and Mrs. Lane heard Therese
say, Good night. papa" Mrs. Lane also
heard the child say, What are you doing
with the pistol, papa? Why do you put
loads into 't?' and even as the child spoke
the report of the revolver answered
both questions for Mrs. Lane though the
child scarcely understood.
When Mrs. Lane reached the side of her
husband, Therese was standing at the head
OF the bed calling to her father and cry
ing. The child, though not fully compre-
hending what had transpired, intuitively
felt that something was wrong with h4
father. Mrs. Lane moved the child from
the bedside after she had sent servants
for the physicians.
DR.. ]. Taber johnson. who lives next
door: Dr. W. P. Carr, and DR.. James Kerr
responded promptly. but they could do
nothing for the dying man, who did not
regain consciousness. Death came within
thirty minutes after the fatal shot was
fired. Coroner hewitt was notified. and
on learning the facts gave certificate of
death by suicide.
When informed that her husband was
dead Mrs. Lane became hysterical, and
it was with much effort that the doctors
could get her away from her husbands
lifeless body. Her condition is quite
serious.
A brother and sister of Mr.. Lane. from
Summit, n. j., and Senator Blackburn
arrived at the Lane residence yesterday
afternoon.
Thomas F. Lane was thirty-five years
| old. He was native OF New Hampshire
| His family removed to Summit, N j.,
when he was quite young. For the past
| seven years he has been in this city. For
several years he was the American agent
of theVickers Sons and Maxim Gun Com
| pany, of London.
Arrangements for the funeral of Mr.
Lane are partially complete. Services will
be held at the late residence of the de-
ceased tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
The Rev. Father Bart, of ST. Matthews
| Catholic Church. will officate. 1t is now
| the intention to take the remains to Sum-
| NIT N. j., for burial. Only close friends
Of the family will be present at the serv-
| ices fomorrow