The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-26
mrs. LOR|LLARD,
SOCIETY LEADER,
KILLS SELF
WIFE OF TOBACCO KING WAS
WEARY OF GAY SOCIAL WHiRL
CIRCLE OF DIAMONDS AooRNs
HER HEAD.

WASHlNG YIN, MATCH SOs-MShh
bers OF the Lorillard family are gath
ering in Washington today To mourn
over the unexpected death OF Mrs.
Pierre Lorillard. Jr.. 40 years old, who
committed suicide early yesterday by
asphyxiation in her home near the
fashionable Dupont circle In this city.
She was weary Of the gay wnirl OF
society and face TO face, as she beiiey-
ed. with years OF physical suffering.
Her death caused sensation in the
first social circles OF the capital. Not
withstanding the coroners certificate
OF death by suicide, members OF the
family declare Mrs. Lorillard died OF
heart failure.
Mrs. Lorillard's death occurred only
few hours after she and her hus-
band had been the guests OF Mrs.
Richard Townsend, on Massachusetts
ave, at dinner given In honor or
Lady Paget. II Is believed that as
soon as Mrs. Lorillard arrived AT her
home at 1920 Hillyer-pl., shortly after
midnight she began TO prepare for
death.
About $3.50 o'clock yesterday morn
ing the butler in the Lorillard resi-
dence detected an odor of gas per-
meating the rooms. With little diff
Guilty the origin OF the fumes was
traced to Mrs. Lorillard's apartments.
Opening the door OF the bathroom,
just off her suite, the butler was hor-
riied on finding the BODY OF the mis-
tress OF the house stretched out life
less on the floor. Her face was turn
ed TO the mat.
The alarm given by the butltc
brought Mr.. Lorillarl from his apart
ments across the hall Together they
carried the limp body to Mrs. Lori!-
lard's room. Panic-stricken the SER
want was dispatched for a doctor.
while Mr. Lorrilard attempted TO re-
vive his wife by means OF artificial
respiration. DR. NJ. r. Cuthbert, the
family physician, was summoned and
arrived about the same time that DR..
IL. b. eDale was admitted to the
residence. Both resorted TO ever.
scientific method within their power
to restore life. but after an hours eff
forts gave up IN despair.
Shortly afterwards ID. J. Ramsey
NNevitt, the coroner, was notified. IL
visited the Lorrilard home, and after
an investigation ordered Deputy Coro-
ner Glazebrook to perform an an.
topsy. upon the completion OF which
Dr. Nevill issued a certificate OF sui
eide by gas poisoning.
Mrs. Lorrilard left q note which the
coroner has seen. but which Mr.. LCr.
lizard has declined TO make public.
While addressed 10 no one, ii is SAID,
IL is personal in its nature. II is u :
derstood that it contains no declara
tion Of an intention on the part oi
Mrs. Lorillard to take her lie.
Mrs Lorrilard was subject to fire
quent attacks OF dependency, IL is
said Mr. Lorrilard stated that in his
opinion the death Of his wife was
not due TO suicidal intent, but was tho
result of an accident. He Is said 20
have denied that she had left note
The last person to see Mrs. Lorp
lard alive was Mr.. LCrillard He bado
her goodnight as they separated to
go to their apartments after returning
home about midnight from the TowD'
send residence. MIS-. Lorillard was
seemingly in the best OF spirits. She
had joined freely in the social festivi'
ties OF the evening at the Townsend
home, where had gathered the Br 4.
lillian ambassador and Nine. Nabuco,
the Danish minister and Countess
Moitke, the secretary Of the navy and
Mrs. Meyers, Senator and Mrs. Lodge,
Senator and Mrs Aldrich. Senator
Root, Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Bacon, Nh
and Mrs. w. c. Endicott. OF Boston
Lady Clifford, of England; Col. and
Mrs. Colin Campbell. Col. and Mrs.
McCawley, Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence
Moore, Hon. Maude Pauncefote. Com.
modore Rodgers. Rear Admiral Cowles
and Capt. Archibald Butt, military
aide OF the president.
Mrs. Lorillards bad had the appear
ance of not having been occupied dur
| ing the night. She had disrobed after
arriving home and when found her
body was clothed in dressing gown
The dog collar OF diamonds she wore
at the dinner had been removed before
she went TO the bathroom, but the
costly circle OF diamonds that adorn ed
her hair had not been displaced. The
note was found In Mrs. Lorillard's
room.
Mrs. Lorillar, before her maria &c
in 1881. was Miss Caroline J. Hamil
ton. She is survived by two sons. one
of whom is now TRAVELLING in the OF
/ emit and the other Is in college In
/ New York.