Evening star., 1909-05-12
LIKE BES|EGED CITY NETHERLANDASU|C|DE
Paris Streets ParoIed by Former White House Social
Mounted Guards. Clerk Was Nervous Wreck.
GARRISON is HELD READY SLAYS SELF AT HOME
Disorder Heard Revolver Shot Night
by Strikers But Did Not Suspect.
GUARDING TELEGRAPH WIRES HARD WORK MADE HIM Ill
Was to
the Provinces-Dp Recuperation-Never
Ar Criticised. Had at Purpose
SLAYS SELF AT HOME
Wife Heard Revolver Shot in Night,
But Did Not Suspect.
HARD WORK MADE HIM Ill
Was to Have Gone Today to Null
doon's for Recuperation-Neve
Had Hinted at Purpose.

Thomas H. Netherland, authority on So
cial precedence In Washington. and
through the two administrations OF
Roosevelt clerk at the White House
in charge of invitations, duties to which
he gave such arduous application that
his health was broken down and his nerv-
Gus system shattered. killed himself with
a revolver shot. an hour after midnight.
when alone in his room, after he had re-
tired for the night.
Eight years employment at the White
his nervous system that he recently found
1t necessary to go away for his health.
He returned home Sunday night and was
to have been taken to Muldoon's sani-
torium, New York. this morning.
When his cousin. w. d. Duke of Rich
mond, Va, went to his room to call him
this morning. he was shocked at finding
he had committed suicide by shooting
himself in the forehead. The deed was
committed in the home Of the Netherland
family. 1915 Belmont road, about l o'clock
this morning.
Mrs. Netherland Heard Shot.
Mrs. Netherland heard a muff1ed sound
about that hour. She thought it had
come from a garage near her home.
Mr.. Netherland. who was forty-six years
of age. was a native of Richmond. Dur
ing his earlier days he was employed as
a clerk in the Office Of the Southern rail-
way. Later he passed the civil service
examination and was given an appoint
ment in the pension office.
While holding the government cierksnlp
he attended the law class OF Coiumoian
College and graduated about ten years
administration of President Mckinley he
was transferred from the pension office to
the WTffte- House, laboring there until
President Taft was inaugurated.
partment Of the Post Office Department.
This position he held until the time OF his
death.
Mr.. Duke, his cousin, was here for the
New York today He was with Neither
land last night, leaving him about IL
o'clock. about which hour both retired.
Mr.. Netherland occupied the front room
he had retired the other members of the
family went to their rooms for the night.
When Mrs. Netherland heard the muf-
fled sound she had not the slightest Sis
picion that the noise was made In her
own house. When she learned of what
her husband had done she was satisfied
the sound she had heard had been made
by his weapon.
Coroner Says Suicide.
Mr. Duke was satisfied that his cousin
is a suicide. He removed the revolver
from the bed, where it lay beside the
corpse.
DR.. James G.. Mckay, who had been in
attendance upon the sick man. and who
| had directed that he be taken away for
treatment, was summoned. The physician
found that life had been extinct severa,
hours, and notined Coroner hewitt.
Bicycle Policeman Collins of the tenth
precinct made an investigation and report.
The coroner heard statements OF members
of the family as to the condition or the
sick man. and concluded that Mr.. Neither
land was in a condition which rendered
him irresponsible at the time he fired the
shot.
full and conscientious worker in the gov
ernmeut service. 1t was nothing unusual
for him to work several nights each
week Finally the strain became mora
than he could stand
His nervous system became affected and
he suffered from melancholia. His con-
dition became SO serious that he was ul-
able to sleep.
It was deemed best that he should he
taken to an institution for treatment. Mul-
doons was selected because II was
thought the patient would get physical
training there that would help him.
Never Had Hinted at Purpose.
Last night, shortly after Mr.. Neither
land went to his room, his cousin called
to see him about packing his clothing.
That was the last seen of him alive.
Relatives state that the sick man never
intimated that he had the slightest notion
Of taking his life. They were thoroughly
surprised this morning when they learned
Of what had taken place during the night
The weapon he used was q small, cheap
revolver that had been in the house a
number Of years
The deceased leaves a widow and two
daughters Mrs. Netherland is native of
Virginia, having lived about ten miles
from Richmond. 1t is probable the re-
mains will be taken to Richmond and
inferred in Hollywood cemetery.
Mr.. Duke will remain here and ac-
company the bereaved family to Ricn-
mond.
President Expresses Grief.
The suicide of Mr.. Netherland was
received with the deepest regret at tho
White House. President Taft and Sec
retary Carpenter both expressed high
regard for the former White House
clerk and CONNER nded him as a hign
type of man.
Few better men have ever worked at
the White House. according to the en-
ployes there Mr. Netherland went
on the White House rolls In 1898 and
was transferred rom there to the Post
Office Department H. March of this year,
giving him a service of eleven years.
1t Is not believed that his transfer
worried hin, On the other hand, II Is
supposed 30 have pleased him.
Netherland had been at the Post
Office Department fer two months. He
was acting as speciai counsel in the
ONCE of the third assistant postmaster
general and was engaged in the pros
ecution of cases before the Court of
Claims.
At the White House lis duties were
extremely arduous. HIS salary was
S2Ouo. At the Post Office Depart
ment he was assigned to congeniai
legal work at $1,000 year.
He had told friends that the position
was just what he lad been wanting for
years His transfer, however, came at
a time when he was literally broken down
from the winters work at the White
House.
He was for years tie clerk in charge