The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-06
SHOOTS HERSELF.
Mrs. Clara Bloodgood, the
Actress, Commits Suicide
In Her Own Room at a Hotel in
Baltimore.
FIRED THREE SHOTS.
Two of Them With Gun Muzzle
in Her Mouth.
was Playing in "Truth" at
Academy of Music.
FIRED THREE SHOTS.

| Baltimore, Dec. CLARA Bloodgood,
the actress. committed suicide by shoot
ing in her room at the Hotel Stanford
here last evening.
| Mrs. Bloodgood's body was found ly-
ing on the bed with a bullet hole
through the roof of her mouth Nearby
lay book entitled How to Shoot
Straight" and a 32-caliber revolver with
| three chambers empty. She attended a
matinee performance at Albaugh's the
ater In the afternoon and returned to
her hotel about o'clock seemingly in
| the best Of spirits.
Later, when it was time for the cur
tain to rise for her own show at the
academy Of Music. where she was ap-
peartng in THE Truth" she had not
put in an appearance. Word was sent
to the Stafford and bell boy was sent
up to her room
Just as he approached the door he
heard pistol shot. Hurrying back to
the office he notified the clerks of
what ne had heard and an investiga-
ton was made and Mrs. Bloodgood was
found stretched on the bed as described
Before retiring to her room she had
talk with her stage manager John
Emerson, who declares that he OBJ
served nothing unusual in her de-
meanor. The only motive he can ascribe
is that Mrs. Bloodgood feared an attack
Of nervous prostratton. She had been
working very hard, he said, and she
feared break down. Mrs. Bloodgood
left a note addressed to her husband,
who is said to be on his way to this
city.
The audience at the Academy of Mu-
sic was dismissed with the announce
ment that there would be no perform
ance owing to a sudden indisposition of
Mrs. Bloodgood. ttf
Saw Her Before She Shot.
Bernard s. Wess,-t the bell boy who
was sent to Mrs. Bloodgood's room
upon the request of the manager of the
Academy of Music when she failed to
appear there at her usual time, found
no difficulty in opening the outer door
of the suite but the inner door, at
which he knocked without receiving a
reply resisted his efforts to open it, He
persisted however and finally managed
to open it slightly. Through the aper-
ture he saw Mrs. Bloodgood standing
with her back toward him. She was
quite nude but was holding a wrapper
in front of her. AS Wess hastily closed
the door he heard the report-of a pistol |
Help was hastily summoned and the |
door forced, against which a trunk had |
been placed.
Three shots were fired, according to |
the coroner. one of which went into the |
ceiling and two apparently into the
roof of Mrs. Bloodgood's mouth.
r The revolver used was new one |
for the especial purpose for which it |
was used. Coroner Hayden, after view |
Ing the body pronounced it an unques- |
tionable case of suicide and gave a per- /
nit for its removal to an undertaking |
The shots having been |
fred to all appearances, with the muz- |
zle Of the pistol in the mouth. the |
wounds did not disfigure the body |
greatly. Word has been received that |
Mrs. Bloodgood's husband, William
Laimbier, is hurrying here on a special |
rain.
Mrs. Bloodgood's room was in great
disorder, articles ofs apparel, toilet ar
icles and other things being scattered |
about. On a table-was book on
open at a page describing. the
brain and the most vital parts thereof. I
This evidence Of generalization, If need
ID, Is supplemented by the fact that
Tuesday by Mrs. B1oodgood, who. at
he time. asked how to use 1t. Members
If Mrs. Bloodgood'S company arc a unit
n declaring that they can assign no
Die one of nervous breakdown, due to
,verwork.
On the other hand, her maid, Bina
Wigland VIM. Courtenay and the bell
speak to her, say that Mrs. Bloodgood
vas in exceptionally good spirits ap-
up to the last moment.
Story of Her Career.
New York, Dec. 6.-The news of the |
suicide of Clara Bloodgood at Baltimore
treated a sensation in theatrical circles
lere. Expressions of sorrow were I'M
yersal but none of her friends was will
ng to suggest motive for her act. She
vas of a particularly cheerful DISPOSE
ion and all are at a loss to assign a
,ause.
Mrs. John Bloodgood has been star
ing under the management of Chas.
Trohman in THE Truth" a play by
Clyde Fitch. In 1T she has been emil
lently successful. her impersonation of
he wife who fabricates to her husband
having been highly praised.
It was on January 4, 1898, that Mrs.
essional actress. The play was 1.-The
and her part of Eloide was
! small one. Then followed parts with
Annie Russelrs company in the play
and in "Phroso" she next
appeared in 1899 as Mrs. Perciva1 King
,earle in Miss Hobbs and as Julia
4odesby in 1.-THE Climbers" in 1901, in
The Way OF the World -t-t.
Mrs Bloodgood's acting was highly
commended and at the Savoy in this
ity in 1902 she took the leading role in
9O4 she appeared In the "Coronet of a
Duchess" and How She Lied to Her
husband" She also has enacted the
ole of Violet in Man and Superman." ;
Mrs. B1oodgood, who was Clara
stephens, was the granddaughter of
Ann Stephens, the author, from whom
he inherited talent Her mother was
Hiss Sutton. the sister of Mrs. Ely {
Goddard Mrs. Lloyd Aspinwal1 and
drs. Walter Crosby, and from these {
famous for beauty and vivaci- ]
- et,a i,,h +taSa cl1aIitiac Uhor |