The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-06-02
FIRES A BULLET
INTO HIS BRAIN
MAYOR M'LANE, OF BALTIMORE,
COMMITS SUICIDE.
WAS TEMPORARILY INSANE
Overwork and Criticism Of Political
Opponents Thought to Have I'm
hinged His Mind-Leaves a
Bride Of Two Weeks.

Bride OF Two weeks.
Baltimore, May 31.-Mayor Robert
M. McLane. of this city. shot and killed
himself at his home Monday afternoon
In HE bedroom at his residence. No. %
West Preston street. His bride Of less
than two weeks was at the time OF the
tragedy asleep in an adjoining room,
and was awakened by the discharge OF
the revolver. which Mr.. McLane EVIL
IDENTIFY fired while standing before the
mirror of the dressing case. The bull
let entered the right temple and crash
ing through the head escaped In the
rear Of the left ear Mrs. McLane and
other members of the household rushed
to the mayors assistance. but he did
not regain consciousness after he fell
to the floor. and expired within an
hour. A number Of physicians who
were Immediately summoned. having
at once expressed the opinion that the
wound was necessarily fatal,
The Probable Cause.
No cause can be assigned for the
act by the members Of Mt McLane's
family. Since the fire Of last February
ne has been kept assiduously at work
administering the affairs OF tho city.
besides endeavoring TO direct tho re-
hahilation and rebuilding of the burned
district This, together with criticisms
by his political opponents are thought
by many TO have caused a temporary
alteration OF mind. Coroner Ben1a
min f. Hayden signed certificate CIV
Ing suicide as tho cause of death. and
the remains were turned over TO an
undertaking firm to be prepared for
burial.
Added to Mental Strain.
Persons close To MIR. McLane say that
while the troubles Of his office, Incl
dental to the big fire. had considerable
effect upon his mind. 1t was domestic
trouble, resulting from his marriage,
that disturbed him most He had been
counting Mrs. VanDibber for about ten
years. She Is 40: the mayor was only
&C. She Is q member Of the smart set
In society. while the mayors family Is
of the retiring. aristocratic sort The
disparity in their ages and the differ
ence In their social temperament led
the McLane family to oppose the
marriage, Although II was supposed
the couple lived happily together. II
Is stated that the mayors parents re-
fused to recognize his bride, and this
caused him no end OF worry, II soon
became noticeable that although he
made every effort 10 attend to munich
pal business, he could not concentrate
his thoughts on anything. He appeared
TO be dazed all the time. The mayor
and Mrs VnnDibbcr were married So
cretly. and the affair had all the fea-
lures Of an elopement except, Of course,
that both the bride and groom being
of age they had a right to do az they
pleased.
Community Shocked.
Mayor McLane was married two
weeks ago to Mrs Mary VanBibber, a
well known and popular society leader
of Baltimore and the newly made bride
ia Frustrated by the terrible tragedy.
The dead mayor was very popular
among the people generally. irreepec-
tive of party and the whole communi-
ty has bcen profoundly shocked by his
tragic end.
Mayor McLane was elected as a dom
ocrat to the office OF chief magistrate
Of the municipality In May OF last year
for a term OF four years Under the
city charter he will be succeeded by =.
Clay Timanus republican. president of
the second branch Of the city council.
second branch Of the council. which Is
republican, will elect a president not
necessarily n member OF the present
body. to preside over its deliberations.
The Dead Mayor.
Mayor McLane was 36 years OF age,
the youngest chief executive Baltimore
ever had He was the son OF James l..
McLane, president of the First national
bank, and nephew Of Robert NJ. Nc
Lane, former governor OF Maryland
and United States minister to France
during President Cleveland's first adj
IHluIStTdtloIl. IIcNlouS W HIS cAcC'Aoh
as mayor he had for four years filled
the Office Of states attorney. In which
he had distinguished himself by zeal
Gus and intelligent discharge OF his du-
tics. During his brief administration
Of the mnyoralty Office no had brought
upon himself the antagonism OF the
regular democratic organization by. the
appointment Of independent members
OF the party. Recently there has been
marked opposition to him among dem
ocratic members OF the city council in
matters relating TO the rebuilding OF
baltimore and this Is ascribed by many
as q contributory cause of suicide.
Dead Body Found.
81. Louis. May 3l-The body Of c.