Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-26
She MOVED N HIGHEST CIRCLES
Contracting Coroner. Family and
Friends Say Heart Failure-letter
Left BY Deceased Which Husband
Withholds-Couple Had Just Re-
turned From High Social Function.
lBy Associated PreSSh.

W ASftlNt W. IL. L. MditH -
Weary of the gay whirl of society
and face to taCe. as she believed.
with wears of physical suffering. Mrs.
Pierre I.orillard. .lr. aged 40. wife of
the tobacco maenate, committed sal
eide BY asphy Xiation at her home near
the fashionable Du POnt circle in this
city today.
Her tragic death has>shock"d the
social circles of the capital "a has
nothing else in years.
In spite of the cOroner's certificate
of death by suicide. her friends de-
clare she died of heart failure.
The death was made more dramatic
BY the fact OF it's occurrence only
few hours after Mr. and Mrs. Loril-
lard had been the guests of Mrs. Rich
ard Townsend at dinner given in
honor Of Lady Paget. In fact, it Is
believed that as soon as Mrs. Loril-
lard arrived at her home. shortly al
ter midnight. she began to prepare
! for her death.
Gas fumes Detected.
About $50 o'clock the butler in
the Lorillard residence detected an
olor, Of gag The" origin of the fumes
was traced TO Mrs. Lorillard's apart
ments. Opening the door to the bath
room. just of her suite. the butler
was Mortified to behold the body of
the mistress of the house stretched
lifeless. Her face was turned to the
mat OH the floor. The alarm brought
. Mr.. Lorillard from his apartments.
across the hall He and the butler
carrie d the body to Mrs. Lor!liafds
ROOM
Mr.. L0-illard attempted to revive
his wife by means of artificial res
piI sur-
Two doctors summoned resort ed to
every scientific method to restore life
lat after an hours effort gave up in
despair.
Suicide Says Coroner.
Shortly afterwards DR.. J. Ramsey
Ncvett the coroner, visited the LOril-
lard home with Deputy. Coroner Glaze
brock to perform an autopsy. upon
the compile ton of which DR. hewitt
issued a certificate of death of sui
eide by gas:
he said later that gas cstap-
ing from one or more jets in the bath
room was discovered. and the cOndi-
ton Of the lungs Indicates death by
gas poisoning.
Extreme rciicenc" is reing main
;aincd by The Lorillard fsmily. and
ali others who possess information
concerning the suG!en death. Only
few OF the most intimate friends
have been admitted TO he home since
the news spread of Mr.. I.Crillard's
d. ath
Inquiry at the residence met with
the declaration that Mrs. Lorillard ha
not committed suicide. She died Of
heart f2ilrrc." rptOr;cd the servants.
Mrs. I.oriIlarl left a not" which the
coroner has seen. nut which Mr. Lor-
lizard has declined TO have made pub
lie.
Mrs. !,Or,llard was snbjcct to frc-
Guert attacks Of dcsrOndcncy it is
Had Attended Distinguishes Gathering
The |2si r"rson 20 see Mrs LnriL
lard alive was Mr. or;llard He
h1ac her good night as they separated
to go to their apartments after re-
the TO- nscnd residence Mrs I.or-
Hard was s'rminS!v in the best OF
spirits. She had Joined. freely in the
social festivities Of Inc evening at
tho Townsend home. whcr" had gath
cred the brazilian ambassador and
Nine. Ncbuco. the Danish minister
and Mrs. Ven MOhkc the Secretary
" the NAVY and Mrs Meyer Senator
ami Mrs. Iy0dSc senator and Mrs
hldrich Senator Root. Mr. and Mrs
Rcbcr, BACON. Mr. and Mrs W. e.
Epdicu;i. LADY Clifford. Of England:
Colonel and Mrs. NcCau!cy. Mr. and
Mrs Clarence Moore. Hon. Mani
raunccfotc. Commodore Rogers. Rear
Admiral CowIrs and Captain Arch
laid Bu't. military aide Of the Prcsi'
don't
Mrs IIrriilaTd had d!Srobci 3'"r
arriving homo and when found her
bodv was clothed IN a dressing gown.
Discarded Some Of Jewels.
Tho dog collar " diamonds she
wrrr a, IN" dinner had bccn removed
I-torc she went 10 The bathroom.
but the costly circle Of diamonds that