The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-03-31
TAKES HER LIFE
Wife of a Millionaire Kills Her.
self with Gas
JUST TIRED OF LIFE

Wednesday N1ght-LfiI N"'o l."
Husband, but Members of He
Family Claim That Her Death wa:
Due to Heart Disease.
Washington, March 25.-Weary o.
the gay whirl of society and face to
face. as she believed, with years OF
nhvsical suffering, Mrs. Pierre Loril'
lard. Jr., aged 40, wife Of the tobacco
magnate, committed suicide by as
nhvxiatinon at her home, near the
Fashionable Dupont Circle, In TINS
city, today. Her tragic death mas
shocked the first social circle OF the
CAPITAL as has nothing else in years
In spite of the coroner's oertlfcate
NJ death by suicide, members OF the
family declared that Mrs. Lorillaro
died of heart failure. The death was
made more dramatic by the fact OF
It's occurrence only a few hours after
Mr.. and Mrs. Lorillard had been the
suests of Mrs. Richard Townsend al
a dinner given in honor or Lazy
paget. In fact, it is believed tnal
aa soon as Mrs. Lorillard arrived
at her home, shortly after
this morning, she began to prepare
for her death.
About $50 o'clock this morning
the butler in the Lorillard residence
detected an odor Of gas. The origin
Of the fumes was traced to MRS
Lorillard's apartments. Opening the
door to the bath room, just OF hel
sn;te. the butler was Mortified &c
behold the body of the mistress OF
the house stretched lifeless. her
face was turned to the mat on the
floor.
The alarm brought Mr.. norlllarc
from his apartments across lie nan
He and the butler carried n Dous
to Mrs. Lorillard's room. Mr.. Loril'
lard attempted to revive his wife D!
means of artificial respiration. Inc
two doctors summoned resorted tc
every scientific method to restore
life. but after an hours efforts gave
up in despair.
Shortly afterward DR.. j. Ramsey
hewitt, the coroner, visited the Lori
lard home and ordered Deputy Cor
oner Glazebrook to perform an au'
topsy, upon the completion OF "nlci
Dr hewitt issued a certificate o
death by suicide by gas poisoning
He said later that gas was escaping
from one or more jets in the batf
when the body was discovered
and that the condition of the lung
indicated death by gas poisoning.
Extreme reticence is being main
tanned by the Lorillard family ant
all others who possess informatlol
concerning the sudden death. Onl!
q few of the most intimate friends
have been admitted to the home since
the news was spread of Mrs. Loril'
lard's death.
Inquiry at the residence met witt
the declaration that Mrs. Lorlllar'
had not committed suicide. 'Sh'
died of heart failure" retorted the
servant.
Mrs. Lorillard left a note, which
the coroner's jury has seen, bu
which Mr.. Lorillard has declined
to have made public.
Mrs: Lorillard was subject to fire
ouent attacks of dependency. it i
said.
The last person to see Mrs. Lori
lard alive was MIR. Lorillard. II:
babe her goodnight as they separat
ed to go to their apartments, afte'
returning home about midnight r
the Townsend residence. Mrs
Lorillard was seemingly in the bes
of spirits. She had Joined freel
in the social festivities of the evenin.
at the Townsend home, where has
gathered the Brazilian ambassado
and Nine. Nabuco; the Danish min
lister and Countess Moltke; the Sec
Rotary of the Navy and Mrs. Meyer
Senator and Mrs. Lodge; Senator an
Mrs. Aldrich; Senator Root, Mr.. n
Mrs. Robert Bacon, Mr.. and Mrs. "
C. Endicott, of Boston; Lady Clf
ford, of England; Col. and Mrs. Coli,
Campbell, Col. and Mrs. McCawley
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Moore, th'
Hon. Maude Pauncefote, Commodore
Rodgers, Rear Admiral Cowles ant
Cant. Archibald Butt, military aid
of the President.
Mrs. Lorillard had disrobed, aftei
arriving home, and when found me-
body was clothed in a dressing gown
The dog collar of diamonds she wore
at the dinner had been removed be
fore she went to the bath room, bu'
the costly circle Of diamonds tina
adorned her hair had not been dis
placed.
The Lorillards have lived at tn
Hillyer place since January. I'm
mediately preceding that time Mrs
Lorillard was in Europe.
Mrs. Lorillard, before her marriag'
in 1881, was Miss Caroline J. Hamil
ton. She is survived by two sons
one of whom is now travelling in tn
Orient, and the other is In colleg
in New York.
Invitations were out for a luncheo'
today at the Lorillard home, but Wer
recalled Immediately.
DR. M f Cuthbert, the family ply