Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-06-02
MAYOR M'LANE
TAKES OWN LIFE
BaltimOTe'S Chief Executive Suicides by
Blowing Out Ills Brains,
NO CAUSE ASSIGNED FOR RASH ACT
Bride Of Less Than Fortnight, Sleeping iu
Adjoining Room, Awakened by
Fatal ShOt-Be Succeeded
hu Panuhiiaou
by Republican.

Baltimore, Md, May 30.-Mayor r b.
ert NJ. McLane, OF this city, shot and
killed himself at bis home this afternoon
in bis bedroom at his residence, No. 20
West Preston street. His bride of lees
than two weeks, was at the time of the
tragedy aseep in an adjoining room, and
was awakened by the discharge OF the ie-
volver, which Mr.. McLane evidently fired
while standing before the mirror of the
dressing case.
The bullet entered the right temple and
crashing through the head escaped in the
rear of tue left ear. Mrs. McLane and
other members of the household rushed to
the mayors assistance, but he did not re-
gain consciousness after he fell to the floor,
and expired within an hour. A number
of physicians who were Immediately sum-
moned at once expressed the opinion that
the wound was necessarily fatal.
No cause can be assigned for the act by
the members Of Mr.. McLanes family.
Since the fire of last February he has BEEN
kept sssiduously at work administering the
affairs of the city, besides endeavoring to
direct the rehabilitation and rebuilding Of
the burned district. This, together with
criticisms by bis political opponents are
thought by many to have caused tempo
rary alteration of mind.
Coroner Benjamin F. Hayden signed
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 as a Demo-
crat to the Office OF chief magistrate of the
municipality in May of last year for term
of four years. Under the city charter he
will be succeeded by E. Clay Simanus,
Republican, president of the second
branch of the city council. The second
branch Of the council, which is Republican,
will elect president, not necessarily a
member of the present body, to preside
oyer it's deliberations.
Mayor McLane was thirty-six years of
age, the youngest chief executive Balti-
more ever had. He was the son OF james
L. McLane, president of the First Ma
tiona Bank, and nephew Of Robert NJ.
McLane, former Governor Of Maryland
and United States Minister to France
during President Cleveland's first admin
istration. Previous to his election as
mayor, be had for four years filled the
office of States Attorney, in which be had
distinguished himself by jealous and
intelligent discharge Of his duties. Dur
ing his brief administration Of the mayor
atty Office he had brought upon himself
the antagonism of the regular Democratic
organization by the appointment of inde-
pendent members of the party. Recently
there has been marked opposition to him
among Democratic members of the city
council in matters relating to the rebuild
ing of Baltimore, and this is ascribed by
many as a contributory cause of suicide.
Mayor McLane was married two weeks
ago to Mrs. Mary Van Bibber, a well
known and popular society leader of Balti'
more, and the newly-made bride is pros
trated by the terrible tragedy.