The Washington herald., 1910-08-13

Inundated over business reverses and
suffering from nervousness that made
him mentally irresponsible. John E. Nc
Leran, Of the real estate firm OF Heiskell
& McLeran, committed suicide early
yesterday by hurting himself from the
fourth story Of the home Of DR.. A. r.
shands. s0l Sixteenth street
Dr. Stands was standing at window
OF the library. two floors below, talking
with Archie NJ. Harrison. when McLeran
jumped DR.. Stands was quickly at his
Side but Immediately saw that there was
no hope. McLerans neck had been
broken and his skull fractured by the fall.
but he was still living. He died in an
ambulance on the way TO Emergency
Hospital.
A personal letter written by McLeran
on July p was found. and showed that he
contemplated ending his life. The letter,
addressed 20 John l. Newbold president
Of the Merchants Transfer and Storage
Company. with whom the dead man was
very intimate, said in effect that he
thought il would be better IL he were
dead. The note wound up with affection
ate references to his wife and children.
Cause of Dependency.
He is believed 10 have become despond-
ent over the pending dissolution OF the
firm Of HelskeI & McLeran, with which
he had been connected since its formation
nearly twenty-five years ago.
Mr.. McLeran had been subject TO ex-
IRENE attacks Of melanchola for more
than zen years. Every slight reverse in
his financial affairs caused him to fall
into a brooding state, and II was not I'M
Ill the financial horizon frightened that
he regained his normal frame OF mind
While the existence Of the note TO Mr.
Newbold indicates that he had definitely
made UP his mind 10 end his life, Il Is evil
dent that yesterdays act was an impulse
OF the moment. II was by the merest
chance that he was at DR.. Stands home.
On Thursday night Mr.. McLeran was
met on the street by Mr.. Harrison and
the two were pressed 20 stay for dinner
by DIT. ShGnd. 1t was late when the meal |
and the subsequent talk was over, and |
DR.. Shand suggested that Mr.. McLeran |
stay overnight. as il was too late for him |
10 &C out 70 his home at Chevy Chase, /
where he and his family had rented q |
cottage for the summer.
The three men arose early yesterday |
and DR.. Shand loaned Mr. McLeran his |
razor About ten minutes later, while |
talking with Mr.. Harrison and awaiting |
for Mr.. McLerau 10 finish shaving. the |
body hurled past the window
Climbed Into Attic.
An investigation showed that after
shaving and putting the razor away and |
while still in his night clothes. McLeran !
had gone up into the attic. directly above |
his room. on the third floor This attic /
had not been used for many months. |
Wrestling open the dust-coyered blinds, /
he raised the window. and. stepping out /
onto the narrow ledge, plunged down |
fifty feet to a flower bed Mrs. McLeran /
was informed Of the death Of her hus-
band. and was overcome by the news.
-Four children survive one twenty
years old. another eighteen. and twins Of
nine years. The older son, John f. Nc
Leran, IT,, is employed with the United
States Express Company. Mr. N1cLeran's
mother and several brothers also sur
vlve.
Mr.. McLeran was forty-elght years
old and a lifelong resident Of Washing
ton. He was a member Of the Chevy
Chase Club.