The Washington herald., 1908-01-13

Frank Z. Gibb husband Of Mrs. Eliza
beth Glib a prominent horsewoman Of
the Warrenton Hunt Club. who was
brought from her home near Calverton,
Va. Saturday night. suffering from a Sc
rious bullet wound IN the abdomen, when
seen yesterday positively denied that his
wife had injured herself in an attempt
at suicide.
Dir. GLIB was Indignant that such re-
port had been started lie denied there
had been any trouble between himself
and wife, or that efforts were being made
to obtain divorce
Mrs. Gibbs condition was reported as
being much improved. and at a late hour
/ last night she was said 10 be resting
quietly. The physicians. who have been
in almost constant attendance since the
woman was brought 70 the hospital, are
pleased with the operation which was
performed late Saturday night. Despite
Mrs. Gibbs critical condition, they be-
lieye she has a good chance for recovery.
shows His Anxiety.
Mr.. Glib plainly shows the anxiety and
worry he has experienced since the dis
charge Of the revolver which so nearly
ended his wife's life Haggard and care
worn from the want Of sleep. he has been
by his wife's side almost constantly.
According to Mr.. Glib the discharging
of the revolver was purely accidental
His wife had been in the habit of carry
ing a weapon of some description when
she went driving without a gentleman
escort, and Saturday afternoon she car
ried with her .Ss-caliber revolver.
She had been out driving for several
hours in company with Miss Helen
WheelWright, a former school friend. who
had been a guest at Cedar Run Farm.
the home NJ the Gibh family She had
returned from the drive and had gone to
her iOom 10 change her clothes when a
shot vas heard. and. rushing to her room,
the occupants of the house found her
Frustrated on the floor. bleeding from a
wound "a few inches below her heart.
Mrs Gibb had been In her room but
a few minutes said the husband She
had returned but short time before
with Miss WheeiwTight. and had given
instructions 10 the stable boys 10 hitch
Up another horse which she wanted to
exercise. She had intended making a
visit 10 the home Of a friend near Calver-
ton.
When ] heard the report Of the re-
volver l rushed from the room on the
first floor where I had been reading, and
hastened to Mrs. Gibbs boudoir. She was
laying on the floor. unable TO speak
Explains the Accident
so far as I can make out. the trigger
Of the weapon was caught either in the
folds OF her dress or on some clothing
hanging in a cupboard, as Mrs Glib al
tempted 20 place the revolver on a high
shelf, here it had been her custom to
keep it,
on learning the serious nature Of Ills
wife's injury, Mr.. Cibb secured medical
assistance. DIS. William Maphis, OF War
renton. and Stephen Hansburger, Of Cat
lett. Va. arrived at the Gibb home and
dressed the wound. A carriage was pro-
cured and Mrs Gibb was driven 10 the
railroad station at Calverton. In the
train she was placed on cot in one end
Of the baggage car. Mr., Glib, Drs.
Maphis and Hamburger. Miss Helen
Wheelwright and Mr.. and Mrs W B.
Coates. neighbOrs in CalvertOn. accom-
panied the injured woman TO this city.
Mrs. Glib reached the Providence Hos
pital about 12.30 o'clock, and was placed
on the operating table. DR.. James Kerr
performed the operation. It was found
the bullet had struck one Of the stays in
the womans c0rsage before entering the
body. This probably saved her from in
staut death. Retarded by the stay. the
bullet glanced TO one side. After passing
through the left side Of the body ID made
its way TO the surface.
A portion OF the liver was pierced by
the bullet. thus causing what is regarded
as the most serious feature of the injury.
Mrs. Glib suffered from internal hemor-
rhages,
In Excellent Health.
The fact that Mrs. Gibb was a woman
Of excellent constitution and will power
has been a great help. Having been a
horsewoman for n number of years, she
was in the best of health.
Before marriage. Mrs. GLIB was Miss
Elizabeth Martin, of Flushing, Long ISL
and. n. Y. Her mother, Mrs Charles S
Martin. was notified by telegraph, and,
accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. Rob
ert Z. Johnson, Of Flushing came to
Washington.
For several years Mrs. Glib had been
widely known in Virginia as a fearless
rider after the hounds She occupies "a
prominent position in the Warrenton
Hunt Club This club is regarded as one
Of the most exclusive organizations of
it's kind in the country. Cedar Run Farm
has been the starting point for a number
Of rides, and many members Of New
York society circles have been guests
there. Mr.. Gibb devotes his entire time
at the farm, horse raising being his chief
amusement.