The New York herald., 1922-02-06
MAX EASTMAN GIVES
BLOOD FOR ACTRESS
Florence Deshon of Movies
Dies From Gas Despite
TRANSMISSION.

A man who was cleaning the stairs
In the house at 40 West Eleventh street
Friday morning caught the odor Of gas
as he worked. He meant to tell the
landlady about it before he left. but II
slipped his mind. That evening tenants
noticed the gas, and at 8 o'clock Flor
ence Deshon. motion picture actress
was found unconscious from gas poison
ing in her apartment on the third floor
She died in St. Vincent's Hospital Sat
urday afternoon. following blood
TRANSMISSION operation, in which Max
Eastman. author. and editor OF the Lib
orator, gave his blood to save her life.
Greenwich Village talked a great deal
yesterday of the tragedy Of Miss Desh-
on's death. The Village had known for
several years that Max Eastman and
Miss Deshon were devoted friends. II
followed with interest her going to the
coast, where she was a popular figure in
the Hollywood colony, and attracted the
admiration Of Charlie Chaplin. The VII
lage gossips had it that Mr.. Eastman
end Miss Deshon became estranged af-
ter she made the comedians acquaint-
ance. but that the trouble was smoothed
over when Chaplin came TO New York
and met Eastman.
Miss Deshon was found lying. partly
dressed, in her bedroom. The cock of
a gas Jet was turned on slightly, so
that the amount of gas escaping was
small When Miss Minnie Morris, a
newspaper woman, who has an apart
ment on the same floor, entered with
Nevins Lamb, in charge Of the house.
Miss Deshon was still breathing. She
was hurried to st. Vincents Hospital,
only block away.
Mr. Eastman went to the hospital
Saturday morning, as soon as he was
informed of what had occurred. When
the surgeons saio blood TRANSMISSION
might be decisive, he offered himself.
and the operation was performed i'm
mediately. Put the patient did not
regain consciousness.
The report of the Medical Examin-
er's Office was: death from gas. poison
ing, accidental"
Mr.. Eastman, through his sister,
Crystal Eastman, made the following
statement last night: Miss Deshon was
dear friend of mine and I am sure
no reason in the world why she should
take her own life. and no letter seems
to have been found or received to in
dicate that she did. She was healthy
and happy when last saw her. Thurs
day afternoon, and we had date for
the theater on Saturday
Mr.. Eastman has been planning to
sail soon for Europe to be present al
the Genoa conference. According tc
Miss Marjorie Bevens Of 16 West Tenth
street, an illustrator. who knew both
Miss Deshon and Eastman, Miss Deshor
was interested in the proposed Euro.
pean trip. and thought Mr. Eastman
should go.
The actress, according to her friends
was planning to go on the legitimat,
stage as soon as she could procure al
engagement. She recently was In com
munication with Reginald Pole, a the
atrical producer, in connection with {
possible part for her in q play he Is t.
produce soon.
Miss Deshon's mother, Mrs. III. DanlSs
said that Florence knew Eastman wei
| and liked him. but she was not a girl I,
| kill herself over any man."
| 1t Is thought that Miss Deshon wa
| overcome after she went home Thursda,
night or even on Wednesday night. be
cause some mail delivered Thursday wa
found in her letter box.
! She was 20 years old and was born il
| Tacoma. Wash. but had lived In New
York and Los Angeles for long periods
| She returned here several weeks ag
after long engagements with the Vita
graph, Goldwyn and Fox companies. il
whose pictures she was featured, ant
sublet the apartment she occupied iron
Miss Doris Stevens. who was married L
Dudley Field Malone and is at presen
| abroad on her honey1ncon.