Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-14
LOUIS DELANGE KILLED
ACTOR AND PLAYWRIGHT FOUND
DEAD WITH THROAT CUT.

Louis DE Lange, a we'll known actor and
playwright was found dead yesterday
morning In room in Mock's Hotel in New
York city, his throat cut from ear to ear,
and circumstances which have since devel-
oped indicate that he was murdered and
robbed. He was seen to enter The hotel
twice between and $50 in the morning in
company with an unidentified man. On
the last occasion screams and a sound of
scuffiing were heard to come from his room,
and his waistcoat, valuable gold watch
which had come to him as an heirloom and
whatever money he may have possessed are
missing.
1t was first thought that the case was
one of suicide. but the information gained
later disproved this theory. and Alexander
Clarke De Lange, brother of the dead man,
and himself well known actor, who lives
on the floor above and who found the body.
declared that there was no reason why the
victim should have taken his own life. Cor
oner Shrady and his physician, DR.. Philip
O'Hanlon, said that there much room
for doubt. and detectives We're detailed to
trace De Langes movements on Monday
night and to find if possible. his mysterious
companion.
Hiatus in Movements.
Alexander Clarke De LANCE said that his
brother had met him early in the evening
and asked him to so to the Grand Opera
House. He declined and did not know
where De Lange had spent the evening up
TO soon after II o'clock, when he went to
Weber's Music Hall and met his wife. who
sings in the chorus there under the name
of Selma Mantell. Mrs. De Lange had not
been quite we'll lately and it had been de-
cided that she should go, with their two
year-old son. to her mothers home in Long
Island City after last nights performance.
De LANCE escorted them to the East saith
ferry n
His movements after that are unknown I'M
til he appeared at Mock's the first time at
about ! o'clock.
With him was a man who is described
as between eighteen and twenty-one years
of age. dark of complexion and hair. thick
set and wearing dark clotfing with round
cloth cap. Stephen Lagodinsky, porter of
the hotel, who was standing in the door
way, said that they went up to De Lange's
room, on the second floor, and remained
a short time. Then they came downstairs
and went into the cafe, on the ground floor,
where they had several drinks together. At
about 2:30 o'clock they went out. Accord
ing to Lagodinsky, they returned about an
hour later in cab and he saw the I'M
identified young man pay the driver fifty
cents. Then they went up to De Lange's
room, both acting as though somewhat I'M
der the influence of liquor.
Saw Strangers Escape.
About o'clock Mrs. Alexander Clarke
De Lange went to the floor below that on
which she and her husband live, and, pass
Ing the door of her brother in laws room,
she heard the voices of two men apparently
In quarrel sound of scufffing, and fin
ally De Langes voice, enchanting clearly
"Oh, God! don't do that" Hurrying back
upstairs, she told her husband, and seiz-
ing a revolver, he ran out int0 the hall just
in time to see the stranger scurrying down
the stairs to the street He returned to his
own room. he said, and it was not until
er, that his suspicious were aroused
Lagodinsky the porter. and Title Sauer
a chambermaid in the hotel, also saw the
man when he left there the last time and
the former said that he carried under his
arm bundle that might have been blan-
ket, an oVercoat or parcel of clothing.
The girl. whose description tailed with
that of the others, said that he went down
the stairs in a great hurry, stumbling and
she concluded he was intoxicated
Alexander Clarke De Large went to call
his brother at about 1890 yesterday morn
ing. When his repeated knocks failed to
bring Il response he remembered the incl
dent of the night before. and summonng
Herman NlScher, one of the employees of
the hotel. they broke down the door De
Lange's body lay on the floor between the
bed and the mirror The bed clothing was
upset and bore stains indicating that the
victim had been lying down when the
crime was committed The fact that the
door was locked is accounted for by the
theory that in his struggles to open 1t he
and then fallen to the floor.
Coroner Shrady then made an examina-
ton of the body and said that De Iange
had eeen dead about six hours which would
place the commission of the crime at The
time the stranger left. Il would not 20 on
record saying that this is not n case OF
murder" he added. The cut in the throat
IS not high up and close to the chin, as it
nearly always is in cases OF suicide but
nevertheless the nature of the wound is
such that It might have been made by the
victim as well as by another"
Louis De LANCE was one OF the best
known actors and dramatic writer's in New
York. Born in Philadelphia fifty years ago
he adopted by Isaac NJ. Moss, a wealthy
stationer. and took his name, which he kept
uptil he went on the stage. OF recent years
he had turned his attention to writing and
was the author of The Little Host" in
which Della Fox appeared; The Globe
Tro;tel'' and Sweet Anne Page which
was written for Lulu CHASER. He also col
Elaborated in musical .kit, "PousSe Cafe"
produced at Weber's Music Hall. and was
the author of several successful songs OF
a humorous character the best known OF
which. perhaps, is David and Goliath and
a Little Piece of String
De Langc will be remembered by many
In this city as having been a summer opera
favorite here with the Mary Beebe com
pany, which played seasons engagement
at the old Albaugh Opera House in the early
To.