The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-17
HUSBAND
and Wife
SUICIDES

Philadelphia. April tT.--Louis Heck niu-
sical director at Keith's Chestnut Street
theatre. and his wife known on the
vaudeville stage as Mabel Eckert' were
found dead in their apartments at 70
Carlisle street yesterday. They had COM
mftted suicide in pursuance OF pact
entered into weeks ago.
They left no note or message. pneir
bodies were found by T. w. Eckert' Mrs
Hecks father. who tho day before hah
received a telegram from his daughter
telling him TO take dinner with herselt
and husband yesterday. Death was due
TO asphyxiation.
Mabel Eckert was a concert ana Vauoe-
Vile singer when Heck met her. she was
of a full-blooded Spanish type. Heck.
then 'cellist. fell in love with her. IL
wasn't long before they were married.
Mrs. Heck continued on the circuit unth
about two years ago Then Heck became
leader of Keith's orchestra and the Two
settled down in the Carlisle street nat
Mrs. Heck stu sang In concerts In
Philadelphia and nearby cities and mad
ambitions toward grand opera.
1t was two years ago that Mrs Heck
developed heart disease. As the malahy
progressed spasms Of terrific PAIN accom-
panied IT, A year ago she was ordered oy
physicians TO give up her public singing
Some months later she Was told she must
sing very little, even in private
Three months ago she was handed her
death warrant. The disease could not
be checked, the doctors said, and she
might die any minute. In the meantime
the spasms OF pain increased. III be
glad when death comes Mrs Lucy Ius-
tin. the woman who keeps the Carlisle
fats SAYS the singer told her frequently
during the last two months. 1t can
come too soon" Heck. when he heard
that his wife could not be cured, lost in
terest in his work and frequently told
friends at the theatre that he would
not be many seconds behind Nab when
she goes"
Last week the woman had a hard at
tack OF the disease. The landlady, over
hearing some conversation between the
two SAYS they talked frequently or dy-
ing together soon. Mrs. Hecks rather
and stepmother. both theatrical people
were 10 move from New York TO Wash
ington with their company today. Eckert
sent a telegram 10 Mabel. telling her they
would take dinner with them here. They
got telegram, Come
In the meantime on Saturday night
Heck failed TO show up at the theatre.
Telephone messages 60 his apartments
brought no answer. The janitor pounded
at the door. but got no answer. lie
thought he smelled gas but wasn't sure.
shortly after o'clock yesterday after
noon Eckert and his wife arrived at the
fat They couldn't get any answer 10
the bell and after repeated knockings
called a policeman. lie broke in the
door.
Eckert rushed In, and then crying. My
God, Mabel" fell TO the floor, his face
purple He suffers from heart disease.
and one squad took charge of him while
the rest went into the room
Mrs, Heck was lying on the lounge
fully dressed. Heck was kneeling beside
her. His head was burned in her lap
and one arm under her neck. Both were
dead and had been for hours. Two gas
Jets were open in gas stove, but there
wasn't much of an odor OF IL. In another
room. the door Of which was open, a light
was burning.
The bodies were taken 20 an under
takers shop. Eckert in charge of doctor.
was taken TO a hotel, where he still is.
There is a possibility that death was DC
cidental. but il is a very meagre one,
in the light of conversations heard and
other circumstances. say the police.