The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-31
Robert NJ. McLane, of Baltimore,
Fires a Bullet Into His Tenn
pie in Bedroom.
HOUNDED TO SUICIDE
Progressive Independent Democrat
Who Was Criticised by Mem
bers OF His Party.
WAS REBUILDING CITY
And Is Said to Have Been Driven
Into Temporary Insanity by Op-
position to His Plans.

BALTIMORE, May 30.-Mayor Robert NJ.
McLane OF this city, shot and killed him
self AT his home this afternoon in his bed
room. 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 revolver. which Mr.
McIane evidently fired while standing be-
fore the mirror of the dressing case. The
bullet entered the right temple, and, crash
ing through the head, made it's exit in the
rear of the left ear.
Mrs. McLane 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 number of physicians were imme-
diateIy summoned. having at once ex-
pressed the opinion that the wound was
necessarily fatal.
No cause be assigned for the act by
members of Mr.. McLane's family. Since
the fire of last February he has been kept
assiduously 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 his political opponents. are
thought by many to have caused temporary
alteration of mind.
Coroner Benjamin F. Hayden signed a
certificate giving suicide as the cause OF
death, and the body was turned over to
All undertaking firm to be prepared for
burial.
Mayor McLane was elected a Demo-
crat TO the office of chief magistrate OF
the municipality in May of last year for a
term of four years. Under the city char
ter he will be succeeded by E. Clay
Timanus Republican. president of the sec
ond branch of the City Council, TO serve
out the unexpired term. The second branch
of the Council which is Republican, will
select a president, not necessarily a MEM
ber of the present body. to preside over
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 National
Bank. and nephew of Robert NJ. McLane,
former Governor of Maryland and United
States minister to France during President
Clevelands first administration. Previous
TO his election as mayor he had for four
years filled the office of states attorney, in
which he distinguished himself by a Jealous
and intelligent discharge of his duties
During his brief administration of the
mayoralty office he had brought upon him
self the antagonism of the regular Demo-
cratic organization by the appointment of
Independent members OF the party. Re-
Gently there has been marked opposition to
him among Democratic members of the
City Council in matters relating to the re-
building of Baltimore, and this is ascribed
by many as a contributory cause of suicide.
Mayor McLane and Mrs. Mary Van Bib
ber a well known and popular society lead
er of Baltimore, were married two weeks
ago, and the newly-made bride is pros
trated by the terrible tragedy.
The dead mayor was very popular among
the people generally irrespective of party.
and the whole community has been pro-
foundly shocked by his tragic end.