The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1909-03-26
MILLIONAIRE 5 WIFE
COMMITS SUICIDE
MRS. PIERRE Lo7 q RD, JR.,
DIES FROM GA = Yx1-
Alto. $ :
e :
Was Weary of societ ands and
Tired Of III Heali Lifeless
Body Discovered | i Lying
Face Downward in Bathroom
Left Note For Her Husband But It
Has Not Been Made Public.

"A I-Fl- -H+55 s.fgE
Washington, D. c., March u.s.
Weary of the gay whirl of society
and face to face,as she believed, with
years Of physical suffering. Mrs.
Pierre Larillard, Jr., aged 40, wife
of the tobacco magnate, committed
suicide by asphyxiation at her home
near the fashionable Dupont Circle
in this city today. Her tragic death
has shocked the first social circles
OF the capitol as nothing else in
years. Tonight the members OF the
Lorillard family, famous because of
its wealth, are gathering here to
mourn over the unexpected blow. In
spite Of the coroner's certificate of
death by suicide, members of the
family declare that Mrs. Larillard
died Of heart failure.
The death was made more dramat-
tc by occurring only few hours
after Mr.. and Mrs. Lorillard had
been the guests of Mrs. Townsend,
on Massachusetts, avenue, at a dinner
given in honor of Lady Paget. In
fact, it is believed that as soon as
Mrs. Lorillard arrived at her home
at 2030 Hillyer Place, shortly after
midnight this morning, she began
to prepare for her death.
About $3.50 o'clock this anorning
theN5,1tler In the Lorillard residence
detected an oddr of gas permeating
the rooms. With little difficulty the
origin Of the fumes was traced to
Mrs. Lorillard's apartments. Open
ing the door of the bath room, just
off her suite, the butler was horri-
fed to behold the body Of the mis-
tress Of the house stretched out life
less on the floor. The face was turn
ed to the mat on the floor.
The alarm given by the butler
brought Mr.. Lorillard from his
apartments across the hall. Togeth-
er they carried the body of Mrs.
Lorillard to her room. The servant
was dispatched for a doctor, while
Mr.. Lorillard attempted to revive his
wife by means of artificial respira-
ton. DR.. M. H. Cuthbert, the fam
lily physician, was summoned and
arrived about the same time that
DIR. H. B. Deale was admitted to the
residence. Both resorted to every
scientific method within their power
to revive the woman.
Extreme reticence is being main
tadned by the Lorillard family and
all others who possess information
concerning the sudden death. Only
a few OF the most intimate friends
have been admitted to the home
Inquiry at the residence met with
the declaration that Mrs. Lorillard
had not committed suicide. "She
died Of heart failure retorted the
servants.
Mrs. Lorillard left note which
the coroner has seen but which Mr.
Lorillard has declined to give hi,
permission for 1t to be made public
While addressed to no one, 1t is said
1t Is personal in its nature. It 1
understood that 1t contains no de
claration OF an intention on the par
OF Mrs. Lorillard to take her life.
Mrs. Lorillard was subject to fre
quent attacks Of dependency,
Mrs. Lorillard before her marriag
H in 1881, was Miss Caroline J. Ham
d1ton. She is survived by two sons
one Of whom is now travelling in tn
Orient, and the other Is In college il
New York. He is expected TO arriv
IN washington tonight.
Since the Lorillards began spend
Ing the winter social season In Wash
ington they have entertained an
been entertained largely This sea
n son they came here early in th
present year. s
Invitations were out for q lunche
on today at the Hard home
which were recalled immediatel,
Sunday evening last Mr.. and sMrs
II Lorillard entertained at one of thel
usual Sunday night dinners.
They were prominent In social san
diplomatic life Of the capital.