The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-22
MRS. W. P. BURDEN IS FOUND DEAD Escaping of Gas in Sleeping Room of Fifth Avenue Home Kills Society
 Favorite.
DEATH DUE TO ACCIDENT
Creates Sensation in Social Sct-Mrs. Burden Was Miss Natica Riyes, Adopted Daughter of 0.
 II. F. Belmont.

New York, Feb. 2l.-Mrs William daughter of 0. H. F., Belmont, and a society favorite in New York City, Newport and Washington, was found dead in bed at her Fifth avenue home to-day. Death, the coroner decided, was accidental and due to gas poison ing. A disconnected gus tube which had led from a chandelier to drop light so placed last night, that Mrs Burden might read while propped up in bed, permitted a flow of gas which fill- ed the room and escaping into the hall attracted the attention of the servants.
 Mrs Burden was twenty-two years old and since her marriage on April r, 1907 she and her husband had oc- cupied the beautiful home of tho lat ter's father, the late James \, Burden, at DOS Fifth avenue. The discovery of her violent death threw the household into confusion and when the facts be- came generally known, created a sea sation in the social set to which the Burdens belong. MT, Burden had spenc the night in another part of the house and learned of his wires death from the servants who entered her room at 10 o'clock this morning, Entering the house at Ii o'clock last night, Mir. Burden noticed that light was still burning in his wife's room and passing the door he called out, Good night" Mrs Burden responded Good night in tone that indicated that she was in i her usual health and spirits,
 Mrs Burden had been in the habit of reading after retiring and this prac- l tice led her recently to have q gas reading lamp placed in her room. This stood on a stand conveniently near the head of the bed At 10 o'clock last 1 night Mrs Burden left directions tha, she be called at 10 o'clock in the morn ing, dismissed her maid and settled herself in bed with book The greet l ing to her husband an hour later was the last heard from the room.
 Passing through the hall on her way to Mrs. Burdens room on tho second floor this morning, the maid detected the odor of gas and hastily entering the | chamber found her mistress dead.
 The room was filled with gas though window was open several inches from the bottom. The fumes were pouring from the rubber tubing directly into the dead woman's face. Mrs. Burdens physicians, Drs. F. P. Kinnicutt and Dr H. II. NJ Lyle were hastily summoned and they notified the coroner. The latter's investigation showed that the gas tube had been disconnected from the lamp. Appar- entlv having become drowsy, Mrs. Burden reached from her bed and
 turned off the lamk cock instead ot
 taking the trouble to get up and shut
 off the gas at the chandelier jet. In some manner undetermined the tube became ioosened at the lower end and slipping off the feed pipe of the lamp
 lay in such a position that the flow ol
 gas was directly toward the sleeper
 The dead woman lay as in slumbe1
 without a sign of phl sical or mental disturbance.
 Near the open window to which sht
 had crawled and almost dead from gas. was Mrs. Burdens little pet, 2 white Pomeranian terrier. which was , permitted to sleep in the room.
 Mir Burden, who was greatly affect , ed by the shocking news. notified hi. l brother and other close friends ana , this evening personally received severa | of the intimate friends who called a the home.
 There was some complaint by thu ] police that they were not notified 5 earlier of the death. Mr. Burdel summoned the physicians but Coronet Shraly said tonight that he had no f been informed of Mrs. Burdens deatl
 until shortly before o'clock this aft
 ernoem when he learned of
 through the health department Tn ? police received their information aR' < hour of two later Meantime enquir : CTS at the house had been told bx ser ? wants that Mrs. Burden died Of hear failure following an attack of grip.