New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-19
MYRTLE REED" A SUICIDE
Author of Lavender and Old
Lace" Ends Her Life.
WAS TEMPORARILY INSANE
Writer of Many Love Stories Suf-
fered from Insomnia and Took
Overdose of Sleeping Powder.

Love aHdlTS OF IlteIdry Men dilQ
other books, was found dead at her home
here last night. Her death was caused by
an overdose Of sleeping powder, which. ac-
cording to the coroner's Jury, was taken
with suicidal intent
Mrs. McCullough's body was found by
Miss Anna Larsen, her maid to whom she
left note and a check for 81, 900
James Sydney Mccullough, the husband
Of the authoress. left home yesterday and
was away when the body was found. Miss
Larsen stated that Mr.. Mccullough, on
leaving. said he was going TO Michigan
and expected TO be away several days She
also stated that she had never heard Mrs
Mccullough and her husband quarrel
during the four years she had been at their
home.
The family physician. Dr. Newton q.
Lee, said: Mrs Mccullough had been
troubled with insomnia for some time and
understand that she had been using
sleeping powders. She died from an over
dose Of some drug, and most probably II
was the one she had been using to induce
slumber"
After hearing the testimony Of a number
OF witnesses the coroner's jury returned a
verdict that Mrs. Myrtle Reed Mccullough,
thirty-six years old, committed suicide by
taking an overdose Of sleeping powder
While temporarily insane from insomnia and
depression"
That death was Intentional was indicated
by the following note which the writer left
on her maids dresser:
nNln r
for $1,000 for your true and faithful service
during four years. II my husband had
been as good and kind to me and as con-
siderate az you. L would not be going
where l am. MRS MAC
Enclosed in tho note was the check for
$1,000
Annie Larsen. the maid. had gone out
and found the note in her room when she
returned at $50. She rushed into Mrs. Nc
Cullough's room and found her dead.
Mrs. Mccullough undressed and retired In
her usual manner before taking the fatal
called two physicians, but the police were
not informed Of the death until three hours
after II had occurred.
Mrs. McCullough's reference to her hus-
band IN the note was surprise to friends
OF Mrs. Mccullough Paradise Flat" as
her home Is known. long had been favor
tie gathering place for select circle OF the
writer's acquaintance. She gave many
unique entertainments.
Among these was model husband con-
test which took place last year. Each
woman guest entered" her husband for
the honor Of being designated the finest
H., he ha maj
sewed buttons and deported themselves at
their best, and their wives extolled their
virtues in written essays. On that coca
sion. largely through the eloquent praises
Of his wife. Mr. Mccullough received first
prize as the model husband"
The circumstances surrounding the death
Of Myrtle Reed were particularly surprising
to those who knew the romance OF her
marriage. a romance that some said was
oieverly described shortly afterward In her
story "A Spinner of the Sun" II was her
first real love affair. and occurred al
most simultaneously with the publication
OF her first literary success, Love Letters
Of a Musician"
Miss Reed-as she then was-was In her
Voice." published by the pupils Of the
West Division High School James Sidney
Mccullough was editor Of a college paper
in Toronto, Canada. He was clever
young Irish-Capadian- Through reading
the exchanges of tho college and school
papers the two amateur editors came to
know and admire each others writings A
followed that lasted SIX
years and grew In intimacy. though the two
had never met At the end OF that time
they met for two brief hours and became
engaged.
In 1908 Miss Reed and Mr.. Mccullough.
who had by that time made Chicago his
home slipped away quietly 10 Grand Ha-
ven. Mich. and were married. The features
OF this quiet little wedding were described
by her in Flower OF the Dusk" the first
novel written after her marriage.
Later she put much original reference to
the tender passion into her series OF ten
cook books, which she signed "OhVe
Green" After her marriage. however. she
I'D comparatively little cooking. I'm too
busy." she explained. but added wistfully:
And Annie won't let me come into the
,ttohen. She knows her work and wants to
do II without interference. as I do mine.
but on Sunday nights and on on days
can try some experiment which looks prom
Using. yield this point. and gladly. FOR my
Priceless Jewel has shown no peripateuc
tendencies in tho three years and more she
has lived with us-and We don't want
her to-
Mrs. Mccullough entertained some orig
NAL ideas on the subject OF the "sterner
sex" II has been her delight to poke good
natnred fun at the opposite sex. For IN
stance. she has written: rs the average
man only a little better than the mushroom
at his best a delicacy; at his worst
poisonT'
"Most wives are expected to run por-
terbouse steak establishment on mutton
stew allowance"
"Men-the married kind-are the greatest
gold brick artists In the world' tneir wives
are the easy marks"
Mrs. Mccullough was born In Chicago In
IS4 Her mother. Elizabeth A. Reed, was
we'll known for her researches into Persian
and Hindu literature. and from her Myrtle
Reed inherited her literary tendency.
When asked which she considered her
best book, she replied: Il trust ] have 1t
vet to write. am never satisfied with
anything I do after the first glow OF ecstasy
that comes when creation is over"
Mrs. Mccullough belonged in the ranks
~ the anti suffragists, though admitting
hat she considered woman's ballot q ques-
ion Of expediency rather than an abstract
Tha full list Of Myrtle Reeds books in
Guides: Love Letters of Musician" 1883;
Later Love Letters of q Musician" 1900:
The spinster's Book" 1901; Lavender and
did Lace" 1902; "Pickaback Songs" 1903:
.The Shadow OF Victory" 1903: The Mas
ters Violin" 1904: AT the Sign OF the Jack
a. lantern" 1906: "A Spinner In the Sun"
1905: Flower of the Dusk" 1908 and "Old
Rose and Silver" 1909.
BROWNS OFF ENGLISH COAST.