Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-01
THROUGH THE HEAD.
Mavor McLane of Baltimore
Fires Fatal Shot.
commits Suicide in His Own Home,
Memorial Day.
m,,,,I Alteration Said to Be Tra9-
edys Cause.

yD,1t
,~a mayor of Baltimore shot him
'.o1r through the head at ) o'clock. yes
.ordav afternoon, at his home. ~ west
ton street, and died two hours
co-oner Hayden of the central police
,,.,rict gave a certificate to the effect
hat the mayor died by his own hand.
Tho cause Of the suicide is mys-
,ory The mayors wife, to whom ne
,..,s married in Washington only three
rocks ago. was asleep in an adjoining
room. when awakened by the report OF
the pistol. She found her husband ly-
ing on the floor of his room in front OF
g, mirror, blood streaming from the
bullet hole in his head.
She summoned DIR. A. Trego Shert-
Ger, who found the mayor lying doubled
up in front of the bureau, the pistol, d
Gve-shooter, lying under him, whlte
nistol holster under his right side with
the revolver.
The tragedy has caused intense eX-
element through the city, and by many
politicians, as well as friends OF In
Young mayor, his distressing death IL
regarded as a tragic seque! to the great
Ere which swept out the business sec
ton of the city, last February.
The mayor felt the heavy burden III
responsibility upon him. He laborGd
necessarily, and some of his acts Wet1
criticized in conncC ton with the Wofk
of making improvements i'll the burned
district but the mayors public spirit
seemed mistaken by the shafts. ne
was more praised than criticized but
was undoubtedly worried.
The mayors recent marriage is ne
licved to have caused an estrangemer1
in his family. The woman he married
on MAY IA was the widow of Dr.. John
Var Eibber. noted physician. Her
maiden name was Mary Lusby. She
not only belonged to = prominent lam
:Iy, but was Il leader in society ana 1or
vr;rs was famous for beauty. She Wa3
about As years old: the mayor was 80.
Despite the disparity in their ages,
they had been devotedly attached to
each other for years.
Their engagement. however. vas
never announced. and when they qui-
city went to Washington and were
married by Rev. George Carter of st.
-
the announcement caused Il great sur
pria.. in official and political circles, but
not go MUCK in the exclusive circles o.
society, in which their attachment had
long been noted. The mayors father.
James l.. McLann. was among the first
to arrive at the house after the trag-
cly. -
Five physicians did everything in then
power, but the mayor never spoke DIR.
Sncrtacr. the first physician to see the
dying nan. tells this story: ~.
II found the mayor in his bedroom,
thu third story back; he was doubled up
in = heap. fully dressed, on the floor in
l.ont Of u long mirror. He was uncon-
s.. tons until he died.
Mrs. Mcl.anc was dr'adtuliy distress
ed hut bore no with wonderful fOrtittudc
ASKED me eagerly what the chances Were
/ replied: There is no hope in the world
Tor him. but send for all the doctors in
til" nriehhorhood.
"f No one being there except the mayor
Mrs McLan". her son Jaci. and maid
When told Mrs McLanc to send for thu
other physicians she dispatched the CIR
and the boy. Jack, for them
The distress of the mayors father was
rtiablc. Mrs. McLanc is too much pros
tratcd to make any statement.
Under the charter T.. Clay Timanus
president of the second branch of the city
council. succeeds Mr.. McLanc as mayor
Tor the rest of the term.
Mr.. MCl.aac was elected in Max of last
year for four years. His successor is {;
Republican and member of the regular
organization. senior member of the firm
al -. &. Timanus & Fro, and promi
u"nt member of the Chamber of Com
marcc
Mayor McIanc was not in touch witt
the Democratic party organization he
clus" of ignoring politicians in appoint
mrnt$
Mr.. MCIane was a man of the highest
honor and integrity and above poitica
trickcry of any sort. He was also of I
high strung, nervous temperament ant
sensitive to the criticism of what he be
loved to he his duty to the public.
lie was the youngest mayor Baltimore
ever had.
He WAS the son of James L. McIanc
president of the First National Bank ant
nephew of Robert NJ. MclAne. former
governor of Maryland and United State.
minister to France during President
'hNrland'S first administration. Previous
I" his election as mayor he had for foul
Years fllcd the office of states attorney
i'll which he had distinguished himself by
= jealous and intelligent discharge o.
his duties
Although the coroner officially declare!
IN" may or's death suicide. DR.. Claud,
Van Bihhcr the brother of Mrs. McI.aae'.
,rSt husband. tonight. stated that ha be
hnNcd the mayor shot himself accident
ANY. The doctor claims that the cours,
"l the bullet so indicated.
FUNERAL OF SENATOR QUAY.