The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-31
MAYOR OF
BALTIMORE
ENDS LIFE.
Mr.. MCLane Commits Su-
iCide by Shooting.
BRIDE OF TWO WEEKS
AROUSED BY SHOT
Was Asleep in Room Near by
When Startled by Report
Of the Pistol.
OvERWORK AND CRITICISM
BELIEVED TO BE CAUSES.
Had Been Under Heavy Strain
Since the Great Fire and His
Administration Had Caused
His Party Associates
to Censure
Him.
ovERW0RK AND CRITICISM
BELIEVED TO BE CAUSES
(By Associated Press.)

BRALTIMORE, MD, May so.-Mayor
Robert NJ. McLane, OF this city shot and
killed himself this afternoon In his bed
room at his residence, No. % West Pres
ton Street. His bride OF less than two
weeks was at the time OF the tragedy
asleep in adjoining room. and was
awakened by the discharge OF the re-!
volver, which Mr. McLane evidently fired
while standing before the mirror OF the
dressing case. * ID 5
The bullet entered the right temple. and
crashing through the head, escaped in the
rear OF the left ear Mrs. MeLane 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 num mber OF phyiclans, who were Inn
medately summoned at once ex-
pressed the opinion that the wound was
necessarily fatal. S5 &
No Cause Is Known.
No cause can he assigned for the act by
the members Of Mr. McI.anes family
Since the fire OF last February he has
been kept assiduously at work admins
atering the affairs OF the city. besides en-y
deavorlng to direct the rehabilitation 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 Benjamin F. Hayden signed a
certificate, giving suicide as the cause Of
death. and the remains were turned over
to an undertaking firm to be prepared
for burial
Mayor McLane was elected asa Dem
ocrat to the office OF Chief Magistrate
of the municipality In May of last year
for a term of four years Under the
charter he will be succeeded by E. Clay
Uranus, Republican president of the
second branch OF the City Council. to.
serve out the unexpired term. The sec
ond branch of the Council which is Re-
PUBLICAN will elect president not
necessarily member OF the present
body, 10 preside over Its deliberations.
Had Aroused Opposition.
+ Mayor McLane was th.rty-six years of
age, the youngest Chief Executive Balti-
more ever had. He was the son Of
James l.. McLane. president OF the First
National Bank, and brother OF Robert W.
McLane, former Governor OF Maryland
and Inlted StdCcS IElHisISTS W ! h'1Ao
during President Clevelands first admin
tstration Previous to his election as
Mayor, he had for four years filled the
office OF States attorney. in which ne
had distinguished himself by Jealous
and Intelligent discharge of his duties
During his brief administrator Of the
maycralty Office. he had brought upon
himself the antaEonism OF 'the regular
Democratic organization by the appoint
rnent OF independent members Of the par
ty. Recently there has been marked op-
position to him by Democratic members
Of the CITY Council In matters relating TO
the rebuilding Of Baltimore. and TINS 10
ascrihed by many as a contribu'tory l'l'cy
cause OF suicide,
Mayor McLane was married two weeks
nro to Mrs Mary van Bibber, we'll
known and popular society leader OF Bal
timore. and the newly made bride is
prostrate by the terrible tragedy.
The dead Mayor was very popular
the people nne generally, nPS 1T.spvaiSs hSs
been profoundly shocked by his tragic
end