The Omaha morning bee., 1924-10-15
/. Senator
|EndsLifeby
InhalingCas
Frank Bosworth Brandegee
Leaves Note to Chauffeur;
Illness Blamed for Act,
by Colleague.
NewsShocks Washington
BY Universal Service.

Washington, Oct. 14.-Alone in his
richly furnished home. within two
blocks of the White House, where
he had lived the life of a recluse.
Senator Frank Bosworth Brandegee
OF Connecticut, committed suicide by
inhaling gas at an early hour today.
His body was found by the police,
responding to a telephone call, in
bathroom on the third floor of his
residence, while gas was flowing from
a tube connected to a fixture on the
wall. He had made deliberate prepar
ations for the act by writing a fare
well note, stretching himself upon
rug on the floor and placing pillows
under his head.
Official Washington was profoundly
shocked and grieved by the news of
the senator's death. for he was well
known and popular and a powerful
and influential figure in the upper
house of congress, where he had
served for 10 years.
Attempts to ascertain the motive
for his act were only partially sue
cessful. Some believed 1t was prompt
ed by financial reverses growing out
here which are said to have left him
land poor" with little available
ready cash.
Illness Blamed.
His colleagues in the senate who
probably knew him best, ascribed 1t
Ia ha
senator was a constant sufferer from
intestinal troubles and had often dis
cussed his condition with other SEN
ators.
Many of Mr.. Brandegee's associates
in the senate said he was not of the
that would lead him to
commit suicide over financial worries.
Although he appeared In good SPIRITS
1t had been noticed by his colleagues
that ne frequently suffered intense
pain. even when on the floor Of the
senate Digestive disorders had
troubled him for years, II was said.
and his condition recently had be-
come more acute.
Senator .Brandegee left a note TO
his chauffeur, George w. Jones, in
his bedroom, where Jones found it at
$3.50 this morning. The note. to which
were pinned two 500 bills. read as
follows:
Dear George: l enclose 500 for
you and 500 for Rufus and Emma
servants OF the household). I am up
in the bathroom on the top floor,
nearest Seventeenth street, the room
directly over my bedroom. II you
and Lundy come up there beware of
the gas. Goodbye"
Physician Called.
w, D. Lundy, the senator's secre-
tary, was with Jones when he found
the note.
A physician was summoned. After
an examination he declared Mr..
Brandegee had been dead about five
hours. Coroner Nevitt. after view
ing the body. gave as his verdict sui
eide from inhalation of Illuminating
gas"
Senator Brandegee. who had been
member of the senate since 1905. was
one of the most picturesque members
OF the upper house. He was a bach
elor. and had a reputation for being
dressed strikingly.
Politically. the late senator was a
staunch republican, one Of the mem-
bers of congress who always could be
counted upon to vote with his party
on every question.
Mr.. Brandegee was chairman Of the
senate judiciary committee. and his
death leaves Senator Borah of Idaho,
the senior member. In line for the
craftsmanship.
Coolidge Sends Telegram.
President Coolidge today sent a
telegram of sympathy to Col. NJ. G.
Zalinski, depot quartermeter at At
lanta. Ga. who, as brother.in.law of
Senator Brandegee, is his closest sur.
viving relative.
The funeral probably viii be at
New London. Conn. where Senator
Brandegee was born. 60 years ago.
n