The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-05-12
A TRAGIC DEATH.

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Falls 60 Feet to Cement Pave
ment from Roof of Charlotte
Sanatorium-Sad Intelligence
Casts a Gloom Over Lumbe r.
ton-Son of Deceased Had
Gone To Charlotte to Accom-
pany Mother Home-Remains
Inferred Here Yesterday.
People of Lumberton were in
eXpressibly shocked Tuesday af-
ternoon when news reached here
of the tragic death of Mrs. Vir-
ginia P. McDiarmid, which oc-
cured that afternoon at the
Charlotte sanatorium in Char
lotte, where she went some 81
weeks ago for treatment. A large
crowd of sorrowing friends yes
terday morning met the remains,
which were accompanied from
Charlotte by Mr.. T. N. McDiar-
mid, only son of the deceased, and
DR.. J. P. Monroe. of Charlotte,
and they were borne to the home,
corner of Walnut and Sixth
streets, from which place the
funeral took place yesterday af-
ternoon at A O'Clock. Services
were conducted by Rev. A. E.
Baker, pastor of the Presbyterian
church, of which the deceased
was a member, assited by Rev.
EN-. Hoyle, pastor of the Metho-
dist church, and a large crowd
accompanied the remains to their
last resting place, the cemetery
on Fifth street.
The following account Of Mrs.
McDiarmid's death is taken from
yesterdays Charlotte Observer:
Mrs. Virginia P. McDiarmid,
of Lumberton, who for the past
six weeks had been undergoing
treatment at the Charlotte sana-
torium, fell from the roof of that
institution yesterday afternoon
at 3:45 O'Clock in a moment OF
temporary dependency and met
death instantly, falling headlong
on the cement sidewalk 50 feet
below.
The accident came without
the slightest intimation to any
one, least of all to the nurses
and attendant physicians. Mrs
McDiarmid had been in the sana
torium for six weeks and hat
never manifested any signs O.
alteration other than occasiona
slight spells of melancho.ia AM
never did anyone imagine for
moment that she would do hurt t
herself. She had planned to retur
to Lumberton tomorrow and he
son, Mr.. Thomas N. McDiarmid
had ccme up Saturday to see he
safely home. Yesterday mornln
she complained a little of rheu
matism in her shoulder and ha
asked her physician to give he
something for it. This he die
arranging for second visit
the afternoon. When he returr
ed, he learned that she was deao
Mrs. McDiarmid fell fro,
the south side of the roof garde
on the top of the building. Tn
roof garden is walled and ci
cumscribed area on the top
the institution for the benefit
convalescenIs. 1t is much fr
quented and very popular on a
count of the warm sun, fresh a
and cooling breezes. Yesterd;
afternoon there were several p
tients along with Mrs. Media
mid on the roof garden. Tn
were sitting about and waikiki
as usual in the company Of sc
eral nurses. AS nothing w
feared of Mrs. McDiarmid S
was allowed to move about fire
ly. 1t was at moment when t
eyes of the patients ard nurs
were fixed in another directl
that she climbed over the rail-
protecting the edge of the ro'
which is here about three a
one-half feet high, and fell
the pavement below. Death v
believed to be instantaneous.
Mr.. T. N. McDiarmid went
Charlotte Saturday night and
pected to accompany hrs mot
home today. About 3 hours
fore her death he spent some tt
with his mother The enclos
on the roof of the sanatorl
vas only about three feet n
and as Mrs. McDiarmid was
usually tall for a woman
n v ~