The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-21
SURGEON RACES
TO SAVE SUICIDE
DR.. George Ben Johnston Rushes
to Tennessee on Special
Train.
SLIGHT CHANCE FOR LIFE
Lewis Hornblower, Son OF Great
Lawyer, Shoots Himself
With Revolver.
SLIGHT CHANCE FOR LIFE

In a desperate effort to save the life
b. Hornblower. OF New York. who at
tempted suicide in Johnson City, Tenn.
late Tuesday night. DR.. George Ben
Johnson left Richmond yesterday at 1
o'clock on a special train for Johnson
City, accompanied by internes and
nurses, prepared FOR an operation inn
mcdiately on his arrival Young Horn
blower shot himself through the body,
the bullet grazing the heart and lungs,
passing through the back of the chair
in which he was sitting and lodging in
the wall of the room. Physicians
thought there was little chance for his
recovery, but advised calling in the
Richmond surgeon. a special train
was made up at Byrd Street Station
and routed over the Atlantic Coast
Line to Petersburg, thence to Bristol
over the Norfolk and Western. The
surgeon expected to arrive in Johnson
City some time in the night. At mid
night the condition of Mr.. Hornblow-
er was reported as desperate.
Member OF Wealthy Family.
Mr.. Hornblower is Il member of a
very wealthy and distinguished family
Of New York City. his father being a
very widely known attorney. He shot
himself with as calibrc Smith &
Wesson revolver. He was sitting In a
chair and had been discussing with
his wife the fact that he was despon-
dent, tired of life and that he had
rather be dead than living. After con-
tinuing this conversation for some
time, he drew his revolver and fired one
shot into his breast before his wife
could intervene.
The bullet passed entirely through
his body, grazing his heart. penetrat-
ing his left lung. and passed through
the back of the chair in which he was
sitting. lodging in tho wall Of his
room.
The opinion was generally express
ed in Johnson City that he had com
mittcd the act while brooding over his
troubles. and probably while under the
influence of intoxicants. His wife
started to give the alarm, but neigh
bors hearing the report OF the pistol
shot, rushed over to the house and
found Mr.. Hornblower lying on the
floor In pool of blood
Fighting Chance OF Recovery.
Medical aid was summoned and the
wound dressed. After Il consultation
of physicians yesterday morning it
was decided that there was fighting
chance for recovery. if difficult sur
sical operation could be performed.
this being regarded as the only hone
or saving his life. DIR. Johnston was
communicated with and agreed to come
at once Friends OF Mr. Hornblower
in the railway business took up with
tho railway lines the matter of cx-
pcditing a special train bearing the
surgeon to Johnson City, and within a
snort time after he received the tele-
gram Dir. Johnston was speeding West
lie was accompanied by assistants
from the Johnston- Willis Sanatorium
VINO VIII aid in the operation and who
carried the necessary surgical supplies.
Mr Hornblower Is a native of New
YORK He came to Johnson City sew
erai years ago and was connected with
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad at
that point In addition to his salary
he received monthly remittances from
his father. and it has ! cen stated that
his wife's father is also quite wealthy.
While living in Johnson City, he has
spent money lavishly