The San Francisco call., 1910-03-14
LOUGHLIN'S BODY
FOUND IN CELLAR
Suicide Was Discovered After
Long Search Following Dis
appearance of Steel King
President Taft Attends Funeral
of His Wife'S Brother in
Law in Pittsburg
Especial Dispatch 10 The CALI

PITTSBURG. March 1S.-The pass
ing Of another day has not served to
clear up much of the mystery sur
roundings the suicide of Thomas Mex
LaughIin, brother in law of Mrs. w. H.
Taft, save that he had at intervals
been known to be irresponsible men
tally. Stories given out that the body
was found in the bedroom by Mrs
Laughlin have been disproved.
1t is settled, however. that Laughlin
disappeared early last Thursday night
and between midnight and morning
every foot of the big grounds and the
entire neighborhood surrounding had
been searched for him, as it was feared
that he had killed himself. AS last
resort, the cellar of the great house
was searched about S o'clock Friday
morning, and there the body was
found cold in death, with the revolver
close by.
DEMONSTRATION IN BERLIN
That Laughlin recently made a dem
onstration in Berlin. where he had gone
TO visit his brother, Irwin B. Laugh
lin, came out here this afternoon. The
steel king had at solicitation of
friends, placed his business in shape
so that he would be able 10 travel for
few years. Leaving his wife and
children. he set out for Europe, steer
ing straight to the American embassy
in Berlin.
Five weeks ago a startling cable
was received by friends in Pittsburg
from the brother in Berlin. urging that
Pittsburg physicians and nurses known
to Thomas Nick. Laughlin be hurried TO
Germany to take charge of the rich
young steelman, who was acting in a
strange manner. DR.. Thomas Mcken-
non, who had attended him previously
in illness, hurried TO Europe and per-
suaded Laughlin to return with him.
They reached here about one week ago.
It has been intimated that on their
arrival the physician and his rich pa
tient did not find the family at home
as had been expected. Mrs. Laughlin
had been enjoying herself in Washing
ton. and the time of her arrival in
Pittsburg has not yet been settled to
the satisfaction of the inquiring public.
PRESIDENT ATTENDS FUNERAL
President Taft attended the funeral
today and left on an early night train
for Washington, where he is due at
S:25 o'clock tomorrow morning.
The president reached the East Lib
erty section of Pittsburg at o'clock
this morning and was driven imme-
diately to the Laughlin home.
Taft looked worn and pale after his
night on the train. Mrs. Louis Moore
of Cincinnati. who has succeeded Mrs.
Laughlin as companion to Mrs. Taft at
the White House, accompanied the pres
ident Mrs. Taft was unable TO come.
At the Laughlin home the family was
Joined by Mrs. Charles Anderson, also
of Cincinnati another sister of Mrs.
Taft
The funeral services were held at the
residence at o'clock this afternoon.
Only the family and close friends of the
Laughlins were present. Judge John
w Heron of Cincinnati, father of Mrs.
Laughlin and Mrs. Taft, was unable to
be present because of serious illness.
Irwin B. Laughlin, brother of Thomas
Laughlin, secretary of the American
embassy at Berlin, cabled a message of
coincidence.
Mrs. Taft sent wreath of flowers
from the White House Conservatives.
Representative and Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth and friends from various sec
tions of the country sent flowers and
messages of sympathy
Rev. Maitland Alexander pastor of
the First Presbyterian church, con-
Quoted the brief ceremony at the house
and at the grave, where the mourning
party was sheltered from the eyes of
curious onlookers by a white tent
stretched above the family burial place
After the funeral the president went
for along automobile ride.