Evening journal., 1904-05-31
BALTIMORE MAYOR
TAKES HIS LIFE
Tragic End of Robert McLane
of Baltimore.
LEFT BRIDE OF A FORTNIGHT.

looking Into Mirror, city's Chief Ex-
eoutive Fires Fatal Shot Without q
Word Of Explanation to Wife or
Friends.
Baltimore. May 3i.-Mayor Robert
NJ McLane OF this city shot and killed
himself early last evening In bed
room at his residence 20 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 re-
volver, which Mr.. McLane evidently
fred while standing before the mirror
OF the dressing case.
The bullet entered the right temple
and, crashing through the head. es.
capped In the rear of the left ear Mrs.
McIane and other members OF the
household rushed 10 the mayors as.
sistancc. but he did not regain con
sclousness after he fell TO the floor and
expired within an hour. n number Of
physicians who were Immediately sum
moned having at once expressed the
opinion that the wound was neces-
sarily fatal.
No cause can be assigned for the act
by the members OF Mr. McLane's fam.
lily. Since the fire Of last February
he has been kept assiduously at worl,
administering the affairs or the city,
besides endeavoring TO direct the re
habilitatiOn and rebuilding of the burn.
ed district This. together with criti.
clsms by his political opponents Is
thought by many to have caused a
temporary alteration OF mind
Coroner Benjamin T.. Hayden has
signed a certificate giving suicide as
the cause OF death.
Mayor McI.ane was elected as a
Democrat 10 the office OF chief magis.
trate Of the municipality in May OF
last year for term Of four years. I'm.
der the city charter he will be sue.
ceeded by h. Clay Timanus. Republic
an. president Of the second branch of
the city council. TO serve out the unex.
pired term. The second branch Of the
council, which is Republican, viii elect
president. not necessarily a member
OF the present body, TO preside over
its deliberations.
Was city's Youngest Chief Executive.
Mayor McLane was thlrty-six years
Of age, the youngest chief executive
Baltimore ever had He was the sor
Of James L. McLane, president OF th,
First National bank. and nephew oi
Robert NJ. McLane. former governor
of Maryland and United States minis
ter to France during President Cleve
lands first administration. Previou
TO his election as mayor he had fo
four years filled the office Of state at
torney. in which he had distinguished
himself by jealous and intelligen
discharge Of his duties.
The McLanes are prominent social,
in Baltimore. On May IA the mayo
went away TO Washington secret.
and was married 10 Mrs. Mary Val
Bibber, who is as well known In Mary
land society as her husband.
The ceremony was performed. witt
the sexton and two workmen as wit
nesses, in ST. Andrews Protestan
Episcopal church.
When asked why he had been so SO
cretive about his plans he explained
that he had gone away from his home
city 10 eludc reporters. who for severa
weeks had been "shadowing" him.
For several years the mayor haC
been attentive to Mrs. Van Bibber
who was about his own age, and while
the manner Of thsir marriage was {
surprise their friends had predicted th'
event.
She is a very beautiful woman. Sh'
entertained very much at her home II
Preston street, and she was wei
known at Narragansett Pier, where shl
spent several seasons.