The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-31
Continued from First Page)

arrive. He was followed by Drs. Green.
Watson. Raberg, and Van Bibber All
agreed with DR. Schertzer that the
wound was fatal.
Mrs. McLane telephoned for Dr.
Claude Van Bibber her brother-in-Iaw
by her first marriage. and he responded
promptly. but did not reach the house
as early as some Of the other doctors
James L. McLane. the mayors father
was telephoned for. and he arrived about
the same time as the physicians The
first thing he did was 70 telephone for
his son. Gen. Allen McLane. and tell
him TO go at once to his mother and
remain with her
Father With Him When He Died.
James L. McLane and the doctors re-
NAMED with the mayor until he died
The fathers distress was pitiable to be-
hold. but he made every effort 10 con-
troll his feelings.
The mayors wife began to break down
under the strain, and the physicians
would not allow her to remain in the
room. She was taken To another apart
msnt and women visitors. whose names
could not be learned. tried TO comfort
her.
Coroner Hayden after viewing the
sided that Mayor McLane committed
suicide, but in view of the circumstances
surrounding the case he deemed an III
quest unnecessary.
Mrs. McLane's Story to Coroner.
Mrs. McLane told the coroner that a
few minutes before the shooting she and
Mayor McLane were in her apartment
talking He appeared to be in goodl
spirits and they were laughing together
over package which ne was tying.
The mayor remarked to Mrs. AicLane
that he wanted TO put to rights some ar
ticles in a bureau drawer in another
room (the one in which the shooting oc-
cured, and he left the apartment
where they had been talking together.
ia about five minutes Mrs. McLane
heard a noise which she thought was a
shutter banging. She went down one
flight and called the maid. Lizzie Red |
church, asking her IL anything had !
fallen downstairs.
Servant Finds Body.
The girl replied that she thought the |
noise was upstairs and Mrs. AIcLane /
suggested that the mayor had dropped 4
a drawer.
The maid went upstairs and raped on /
the door. Receiving no reply. she en- /
floor IN front of a wardrobe mirror
Mr. McLane has fallen and hurt him
SELF the girl yelled
AS Mrs. McI.ane approached her hus-
band she saw what had occurred. The /
pistol was lying on the floor by him. The 4
mayor was breathing heavily. but was /
unconscious. She lifted his head and !
put a pillow under it, and Immediately /
sent for medical assistance.
The Coroner's Statement.
Coroner Hayden stated:
"As much as regret to say So am 1
obliged TO give my opinion that Mayor /
McLane committed suicide by shooting /
himself with a .32-caHber revolver. Tho1
powder marks on his head show that he 1
pressed the revolver close TO his head /
and pulled the trigger
Mrs McLane could throw no light on |
the mayors death and told the coroner |
she did not know that her husband had
2 revolver, and. of course, did not know
where he kept it.
Owing 20 the prostration Of all The
members OF his immediate family, MOTH
ing could be learned Of the movements
Of the mayor further than that he left
the house for a walk late yesterday
morning. he was not at the city hall
yesterday on account Of the legal holt
de-.
His Family Opposed His Marriage.
Coroner Hayden. who has charge OF
the case. did not hesitate to pronounce
IL one OF direct suicide. While the trou-
bles Of his office incidental 70 the big
IRE had considerable effect on Mayor
McLare's mind domestic troubles re-
sulting from his marriage disturbed him
the most. He had been counting Mrs
Van Bibber for about ten years.
She IS fOrty-eight and the mayor wa 8
thirty-siX The disparity Of their ages
and difference in social temperament
lea the McLane family TO oppose the
marriage in every way. and knowing
that none OF the members Of his family
would attend his wedding. the mayor
on May II last went To washington and
was quietly married. This event wa s
me sensation Of the hour in and around
Though the couple lived bapplv To-
Eether IL is stated that the mayors /
arents refused TO recognize his bride. /
alI these conditions caused him no end
~ worry. IT soon became noticeable
that though he made every eff0rt to
attend to municipal business. he could
no concentrate his thoughts on any
thing.
Troubles in City Government.
He appeared 10 be dazed at times. He
was also worried because Of the tangles
which came up in his administration
before and after the big fire. When
Ar. McLane was nominated for mayor
IL was understood he was 10 recognize
the Democratic party organization. Az
tel his election, however the candidates
for Office presented for appointment did
not. IN his opinion, measure up to the
standard.
Contrary 70 the wishes OF the leaders
and the members Of their party, he
picked men for his office Of ms own
choice. retaining not "A few Of the APP
pgintees Of his predecessor. Mayor
Hayes.
Then. soon after his inauguration,
came the big fire which swept away mil
lions 81 Balumore's business interests. I
a period OF reconstruction was ncces-
sary. and 10 was up 20 the mayor TO
formulate the necessary plans. lie
named a burned district commission. laid
the grounds for the passage by the Leg
lslature Of q &G000.CO0 loan 10 improve the
docks, and looked personally after de-
tails IN general
Criticism Of the Mayor.
Because the work did not progress /
rapidly enough. and IN many Instances
al