New-York tribune., 1921-04-21
Despondent Over Health
and Failure to Obtain
$4,000 Loan, He Ends
His Life With Shotgun
Wife and Children
Hear Shot Fired
Victim Gained Notoriety
inl910by Knife Attack
on ]. F. Lillis, Banker
speeial D ispatch to The Tribune


LOS ANGELES, April 2O-Driven to
desperation, it is believed, because of
the failure to negotiate a loan of $l0,-
700, John P (Jack) Cudahy, son Of
Michael Cudahy, famous packer, COM
Fitted suicide this morning by shoot
Ing himself in the head with q shotgun
In his bedroom at his home in Holly
wood His wife, Edna c. Cudahy, was
in her own dressing room near by at
the time. Downstairs, in the palatial
home, were his seventeen-year-old
daughter, Anne, and his fourteen-year-
sld son, Michael.
According to Mrs. Cudahy i'll health,
coupled with financial worry, was the
sause Of Cudahy's act. She denied the
report that there had been any alterca-
ton between her and her husband
,hortly before Mr.. Cudahy took his life
Detective Sergeants McMahan and
Hurt, who are investigating the case,
,aid that Mrs. Cudahy later told them
that about 1880 a. m. Mr.. Cudahy
vent into his bathroom and took his
shotgun. which he used for trapshoot-
Ing, into his bedroom. At the time he
aid not seem to be unusually despond-
mt she said.
At exactly -1:45, she said, she heard
, shot, and Immediately rushed to her
husbands bedroom, where she found
that he had shot himself
Efforts to Get Loan Fail
Early this morning Mr.. Cudahy re-
reived a letter from the Northern
Trust Company of Chicago stating:
'We do not want to carry permanent
loan, and, unless your sister can vouch
for the loan of $4,000 which you ask
tor, we find it impossible to grant your
request" The letter was signed by N.
0. Edmonds, vice president. The detec-
hyes learned Mr.. Cudahy had received
telegram Tuesday from his sister,
Clara, in Santa Barbara, containing the
lollowing brief statement: "Sorry, but
IND it impossible to do what you ask"
It is believed by the police that the
fsilure to negotiate this loan was the
Eliminating disappointment which
drove Cudahy to end his life.
M. Cudahy was known to have been
70 III health for the past year and un-
>.
Shortly after his return from the
cudshy ranch, near Calexico, Mexico,
sbout ten days ago, Mr.. Cudahy took
Iome bichloride of mercury, ac-
,ording to the detectives, which caused
him intense sickness for some time.
Mr.. Cudahy's chauffeur, w. M. Con-
don, met all callers at the front door.
saying that Mrs. Cudahy was in such
broken down condition it was impos-
sble for her to see or speak to any
Dne Through him she wished to deny
sne report that Mr.. Cudahy's action
came as the result of any difference be-
sween them, as suggested in report of
prospective divorce some time ago.
Ihe body was removed to an under
taxing establishment. Funeral services
Will be arranged later.
Cudahy, who was forty-three years
father.
Handsome Jack" Cudahy, son of the
millionaire packer, Michael Cudahy.
became known from one end of the
country to the other overnight on
March 6, 1910, by his jealous attack on
S Sere Llllis, Kansas City banker, in Cud-
tnys home in Kansas City. Cudahy
mas figured frequently in the news
s"ice tnen, and less than two weeks
ago there were rumors of a renewal
~ MS marital difficulties and of finan-
sial troubles.
+ Cudahy and his wife were prominent
a Kansas City society and occupied q
.peautiful home there. One of their in
SmaIes was Lillis, president of the
western western Reserve Bank and a fellow
Eiuoman of young Cudahy. Cudahy
samself was known as bon vivant and
Was prominent as polo player. He
s Vas strapping fellow, handsome and
Attack Follows Auto Ride
vudahy's attack on Lillis followed an
fasomobie ride the couple had taken.
sney had returned late at night and
t"m'ee t"eie seated in parlor of the home,
'a'Aihg, as both described the scene
Continued on page seven)