The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-10-14
FINANCES HELD
CAUSE FOR HIS
SUICIDE TODAY
Body Found as Indicated BY
Note Left BY Senator
From Connecticut
HAD WORRIED MUCH
Had Been III Long Time
Was a Leader in Party
Councils at Washington

Councils al washington
Washington, Oct. 14.-(By the A.
P.)-Senator Frank Brandegee Of
Connecticut, prominent for years
among the Republican leaders in
Congress-, committed suicide at his
home here.
Worried and distracted, his friends
said, over financial difficulties he
went to an unused bathroom on the
third floor of his house and, just
before dawn, took his own life by
inhaling gas.
He left in his bedroom below q
note to his chauffeur, telling him
where the body would be found. He
was a bachelor and for years had
lived alone.
The note ascribed no motive. A
verdict of suicide was returned by
the coroner.
Pencilled in an uncertain hand, on
Senate stationery, the Senator's last
message said:
Oct. 13, 1924.
"Dear George:
81 enclose $100 for you and $10O
for Emma and Rufus.
II am up in the bathroom on the
top floor, near 18th street. The top
floor. The floor above the one
sleep on.
IF you are Lundy come up there,
beware Of the gas.
"Good-bye."
Frank B. Brandegee."
Pinned to the note were two 500
bills. Emma and Rufus, referred to
by the Senator, are Emma and Rufus
Kenney, negroes, servants of Mr.
Brandegee. The chauffeur is George
Jones.
The two sentences in the note, the
top floor, the one above the floor
sleep on" were written in red crayon
as though inserted in after thought
The Senator was last seen alone by
Jones and Lundy, his secretary, yes
terday morning. At that time he
went for ride with Jones about
the city. Jones said he seemed then
to be in the best of spirit Of health
remarking time and time again
about how beautiful day it was.
He was heard ABOUT the house last
night by the serthts but his bed
had been untouched except for the
note.
Washington, Oct. Ex-senator
Frank Brandegee of Connecticut, for
! years one of the Republican leaders
in Congress, was found dead at his
home here today under circum-
stances which convinced police Of
ficials that he had committed sui
eide.
His body was discovered in bath
room on the third floor of the
house and those who made the dis
covery were quoted by the police as
saying that the dead man still held
in his band a rubber tube which
was attached to an open gas jet.
It was impossible at once. to es-
tablish all the facts surrounding
the Senator's death. His secretary,
who took charge of the situation at
his home, refused to answer any
questions beyond making the plain
announcement that the Senator was
dead. The police excluded visitors
pending the arrival of the coroner.
Police officials began an inquiry Of
their own into the circumstances of
the death, which they were inclined
not to discuss, pending a thorough
examination of the house and the
close questioning of those who might
have pertinent knowledge.
Chairman of Judiciary Body
Senator Brandegee was chairman
Of the Senate judiciary committee
and one of the Republican leaders
on the foreign relations committee.
A close personal and political
friend of Senator Lodge, the Repub-
lican floor leader, he had been one
Of the circle Of Senators which had
most to say in the conduct of Sen
ate affairs since the Republicans re-
gained a majority in Congress.
A native of New London, where
he maintained his home until death,
Senator Brandegee had risen to pro-
minence through a succession of
minor offices, including the United
States Attorneyship of his home dis
trict, the speakership Of the Conn
ecticut house of representatives and
member of the national house of
Representatives. He was so years
old and had been in the Senate al
most 20 years. He had never mar
ried.
Against League
The most conspicuous part play
ed by Mr.. Brandegee in recent years
was in the League Of Nations fight.
Taking a position from the start
with the irreconciliables he threw
the powerful weight Of his forensic
ability against the treaty and the
League covenant during the long
Senate debate and. later ut the Chi
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