The Washington times., 1908-02-08
MISS HUEY'S SUICIDE
SHOCK To MEMBERS
Of CAPITAL D. A. R.
Popular Woman Believed
to Have Been Tenn
pOrarily Insane.

Washington members of the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution were
shocked today to learn OF the suicide
OF Miss Harriet Baird Huey. regent OF
the Philadelphia Chapter and one OF
the most widely known members OF
the society.
Miss Huey killed herself by inhaling
gas Thursday afternoon, but it was not
until last night that it became known.
relatives Of the dead woman having
made an effort TO keep the news OF
the suicide from the public.
Miss HUey had spent the day alone in
her apartments in a Philadelphia board
. ing house and was found by the Rev.
r II. Wilson. who detected the Od0r
! OF gas while reading in his room and
traced il 20 Miss Huey's apartments.
BroOded Over Ill Health.
No cause can be given by Miss Huey's
relatives except dependency over i'll
health It is the general belief that
Miss Huey was mentally deranged at
the time OF her death.
For weeks. according to those close
u Miss Husy, she had brooded over the
condition Of her heath and had lived
almost entirely alone. She was Of Il
peculiarly retiring disposition at all
times, but of late she had grown TO be
almost a reCluse and repealed any at
tempt on the part OF her. friends to
gain her confidence. She began to dis
trust those about her and when asked
the cause Of her meiauchOEa would re-
spond that she, had heart disease.
Body on Floor.
When Or. Wilson traced the odor Of
gas to Miss Huey's room he found the
door locked. Repeated knookings failed
10 bring any response rom inside. and
becoming apprehcnsive, remembering
that Miss Huey had acted strangely
during the preceding days. he broke
the lock The body of Miss Huey was
living On the floor ana II was evident
that she had been dead several hours.
Her face was drawn as though she had
suffered a great deal at the time OF her
death. The room was I'm confusion,
Miss Huey's effects being thrown about
IN great disorder. UnL-~ the pillow on
the bed were found q number Of val
liable tTlnkets and considerable jew
elry was found in a jewel case on the
dresser Miss Huey did not leave a
note OF any kind nor any directions
regarding a win which she is believed
10 have made several months ago.
Private Inquest.
The coroner held a private inquest
Thursday evening and it was not until
yesterday that it became known how
Miss Huey died. An effort was made
by relatives TO keep news of the suicide
from the public but an official announce
ment was made by the coroner Miss
Huev had lived with the Wilson's for a
little more than two months.
Miss Huey came into public notice IN
1902 through controversy with Mrs,
Elizabeth II B. Roberts. another mem
her Of the Daughters of the American
Revolution. who filed charges of a scan
ddlnus character against Miss Huey.
The latter brought suit against Mrs.
Roberts Tor $500 damages and also
appealed 10 the national board of the
society for a hearing.
Case Delayed.
Mrs. Roberts influence in the organ
izstion was so strong that month after
month and year after year the board at
its meetings declined TO take action.
Mrs. Fairbanks was then president gen
eral OF the society. and it vas only in
the latter part Of her administration
that Miss Huey was INDICATED OF the
charges. The case aroused widespread
interest and at each Of the annual con-
crosses Of the society the absorbing
topic was the Baird-Huey- Roberts con
IToVeTSy. Miss Huey was an influential
member Of the society and worked
Ze9lOusly for its interests She was
active on the floor at all its congresses
and never missed the annual cOnyen-
tons She was hfty-seveH~ years ola
and a member of one Of the oldest and
best known families of Philadelphia