New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-02
KEPT SUICIDE PACT
MRS. COPPER AND ACTOR.
Il greement. Shoscn by Woman's
Letters Message to Coroner.
by Telegraph to iii. Tribune. ]

NftddIetown Y Dec Letters which Mrs.
Eleanor Merron Cowper. the playwright and &C
tress who shot herself in New York on Friday,
wrote just before her act and which have been
kept from the public until her death, which &C
Cured yesterday in New York. make 1t evident
that a suicide pact existed between her and James
II. Wallick, the actor-manager who committed
suicide at the Commercial Hotel in this city on
May I. Mrs. Cowper says that she and Mr.. Walck
had often talked oyer the matter of taking their
lives. and had agreed that when the world had no
further attractions for them they would die.
In April last, while bfr. Wallick and Mrs. Cow
per were living the King Edward Hotel. IN New
York. Mr.. Wallick decided that as his fortune was
gone and he was failing in health. the time had
come for him die. 1t then agreed that he
TO fulfill his part OF the compact on May l,
and she follow shortly afterward. Mr.. Wal
lick TO Middletown while Mrs. COWper re-
manned at the King Edward Hotel and awaited
the of his death. Walick put bullet in his
brain and Mrs Cowper, although deeply affected
by the death of her closest friend cheerfully made
arrangements to follow him. Her financial affairs
in the best condition. and. although she
had enough live on. she felt that life had no
attraction for her Her arrangements for her death
were complete, and in one OF her last letters she
even named the exact amounts that should be
paid for her cremation and burial which are as
follows Hearse S1I; -coach 81 ferriage 81 20;
nation. S25 porters, s.; cofln $40; attendants, .;
total 1892 20.
A letter which she wrote just before her death TO
Judge H. B. Royce, her attorney, asks Judge Royce
to look after her affairs, and among other things
says
intend to go into the big on tPnE 1a
my box and find l can dress myself and only need
nate to be handled When I am cremated the next
morRing l prefer being taken out of the box for l
mixed up with my ashes / had planned to go d.
l then planned for the 24th but did not want 70
don't want to spend the winter in tin box on a
for
others in my lifetime isn't sufficient indorseimenf
don't befeve) then no hsTnmering at the gates by
one who knows no more about It than do is going
to make any difference.
Coroner shrady received letter yesterday which
written by Mrs. Eleanor Merron Cowper. This
letter, with several others. written type
writer she kept in her and relates to the dis
posal of her body, The letter, which was turned
over to Coroner Shrady after her death, IS dated
November 26 and is follows:
For the Coroner.
Dear Sir: This is my act, ana I trust an
autopsy will be unnecessary.
l have communicated with my attorney. II. b
Royce Of the firm OF Taylor, Royce Roy6es OF
Middietown. N Y, and either he or j. b Royce
viii attend to all details
In case, by any accident, he should not arrive
have arranged with the Stephen Merritt Burial
charge. inclose card. and they VIII come d.
rectIy when phOned for.
If a physician is needed call DR.. ]. H Water
man, No. so West 51st street, who also Identify
me; but do not eau him unless needed
I sorry TO give the hotel people 50 much
trouble but there IS place provided for
persons who wish 10 pass out of their own aCcord,S
must All can be done very quietly II they are
discreet. I have relatives MI. Royce VIII
take charge OF. my belongings and the money In
the safe. ELEANOR -NERRON -COWPER.
The Stephen Merritt Burial Company took charge
Of Mrs. Cowper's body yesterday and VIII Gre
mate it. in accor1apce with q request left by the
suicide. The ashes will be buried by the side OF
Mrs CowpeT's husband, in lot adjoining the
graves of Mr.. aud Mrs. WaIlick. al Middletown.
y. y. 81. .-.. 3d..