The Washington times., 1907-12-06
Actress Suicide
Shock to Public;
Here Last Week

The suicide OF clara BIoodgood was
a severe shock not only 70 her friends
and members OF her company. but 10
the theater public as well Those who
saw sTrs. BlooC good IN Washington last
week at the Belasco Theater in THE
Trutn'' and remembered her delightful
portrayal OF the fascinating heroine,
could hardly realize that the vivacious
wopiaa who gave such a spirited and
wholly enjoyable performance dhere
could be the suicide whose death had
been flashed all over the country.
When Mrs. BIoodgood returned TO the
Stafford Hotel in Baltimore yesterday
after the matinee at Albaugh's. she
was very cheerful, IN spite OF the fact
that she had complained OF being 81
during TIE matinee. and had left the
theater with william CO Irtenay, her
leading man. When they reached the
Stafford, Mrs. BlOOdgood and COurtenay
had tea, and remained tJgether for
more than an hour, chatting. They
were 10 have become joint stars next
season. and both Mrs. BloOdgood and
Mr.. Courtenay were deeply interested
in the plans.
Short y after g O'Clock Mrs. BIoodgOod
went u her room. Mr.. COurtenay ac-
cOmparied her to the elevator. and
said:
shall I call for you, or Will you come
DOWN.
"Pu come down when I'm ready TO
60" Mrs. Bloodgood answered cheer
fully and got into the elevator. In the
corridor near her room, Mrs. BIoodgood
met her maid. Bina Wigland. 10 whom
she spoke pleasantly and then went
into her room. the maid going on 70
the theater TO prepare the stars room.
Mr.. Courtenay was In TIA lobby Of the
hotel shortly after o'clock. Some time
afterward he met an acquaintance and
stood talking with him until 7:30 o'clock
He then looked about the lobby for Mrs
BlOOdgOOd. and, not seeing her, believed
she had gone on TO the theater alone.
When 1:45 O'Clock came Mrs. Blood
goods maid informed the stage dlrec-
tor, John Emerson, that the actress was
not in her room, and Mr. Emerson
called up the Stafford Re was put into
Greet connection with Mrs BlOOdgoOd' 8
room but could get no response. He then
asked the office to send TO the room and
ascertain II Mrs. BlOOdgood was H. A
bellbOy, Patrick Wess, went 10 the room
but could get no answer and returned
TO the Office for a pass-key. Just as he
was slipping the key into the door he
heard a pistol shot inside. The bOv ran
TO the Office and notified Manager
Downs and the head clerk and the two
locked the door. but found that some
thing very heavy had been placed
against It This proved to be a big
trunk. On the bed l-y Mrs BloOdRoOd
IN ntShtdress, her arms folded across
her breast and the pistol resting in the
hollow of her elbow. Blood was stream
ing from her mouth over her dress and
the bedclothes-
ha1 -,r,r
phOned to come to the WOman's assist
ance- When DR.. ~Baer arrived he pro
nounced Mrs. Bloodgood dead.
The pistol was a .S2-caliber hammer
less, double-action Smith & WeSson.
Three OF the five chambers had been
empued. Mrs. BlOodgOOd had shot her
SELF through the mouth, and Il is be-
iieved that two Of the bullets. pierced
heS brain One bullet was found i'm
bedded in the ceiling.
The room was in great disorder Gowns
were thrown about in confusion, and on
the dresser and tables were costly
pieces OF jewelry, toilet articles and
other things. A sealed letter addressed
70 her husband. William Z. Laimbeer.
In Mrs. BloOdgOOd's writing, was found
on the table near a book on anatomy
The book was opened at a chapter on
the brain and telling OF the parts most
vital
Mr.. Emerson. the stage director. was
informed Of Mrs. BloodgOod's suicide
over the telephone. and members of the
company were notified. In the lobby
were groups Of people on their way to
the e-f0rmance and inside the theater
brilliant audience awaited the over
ture. Manager Lehmayer was told Of
Mrs. BlOodgOOd's death, and immedi-
ately the brilliant lights in front OF the
theater announcing "Clara Bloodgood-
Truth were turned of. Clara Blood
good had answered the last call
In order to avoid any sensation Mr.
Emerson did not tell the audience OF
Mrs. BloodgoOd's death. A few minutes
after o'clock he appeared before the
curtain and announced that Mrs. Blood
good had become suddenly i'll and that
there would be no performances. The
audience fled out of the theater discuss
ing the post9onement and the probable
cause OF tho stars illness
The players who had been associated