Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-17
LARNED DEAD
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life which had been until recent
years rich In colorful activity. Inter-
nationally famous as tennis player,
he was the first of the modern hard
hitters and volleyers to gain the peak
OF the court game. He also was
crack rifle shot, star hockey player,
and an ardent follower of the fox
hounds,
Rheumatism, developing into partial
paralysis of his legs, cut short Larn-
eds tennis career in 1911, after he had
won the national singles title five
years IN succession. He never fully re-
covered from the effects Of this all
ment, which kept him confined at one
time In recent years for about six
months, and friends today ascribed his
suicide to the influence of his physical
disability.
Although obliged to use a cane in
walking. he was apparently on the road
to recovery until few months ago.
A relapse resulted in his doctor for
bidding him to engage in any outdoor
activity, even to drive his automobile.
According to his physician, DIR. Boiling
Lee, a nervous breakdown suffered two
years ago was direct cause of his
act"
Although business venture of re-
cent years-manufacture of steel
framed tennis racquet which he in
vented-was said to have come up to
expectations, friends of Larned denied
that any financial worries figured in
his action. He was said to be we'll
to do. He was a member of the New
York stock exchange for several years,
selling his seat in 1922 for $4,000.
Larned ranked among the 9greatest
tennis stars America has ever produc-
ed. His achievement in holding the
national singles title seven times
1901-1902 and 1907-1911-matched the
record of the first recognized cham
pion, r. D. Sears, who held the crown
seven straight years-1SS1 to 1887.
Larned played on six American Da-
Wis cup teams-1902, 1903, 1905, 1908,
1909 and 1911-but participated in the
challenge round of the international
team championship only four times.
He won 10 out Of Is Davis cup matches
but figured in an American team tri-
umph only once, in 1902, when he COM
btned with Holcomb Ward, Malcolm
Whitman and Dwight Davis, now sec
rotary Of war, to beat Great Britain
three matches to two.
Iamo
while student at Cornell University,
winning the intercollegiate champion
ship in 1892. Although regarded by
some as of the "old school," he was
also the first of so-called modern type
Of hard hitters and met stormers. I"
Like the recent six-time champion,
Big Bill Tilden, Larned painstakingly
developed an al1-around game which
veterans declare had no weakness. He
was consummate strategist and keen
student Of the game.
Larned was number one on the
American ranking list eight times, a
record which no other player has ever
touched. Altogether he was ranked
In the "hrst 10" every year from 1892
to 1911 with the exception of 1898,
when he was out of competition.
Larned had notable war record
He went to Cuba in 1898 with Colonel
Roosevelt's Rough Riders and fought
in the battle of San Juan Hill.
One of the first civilians to take up
aviation, he was commissioned major
upon Americas entrance into the
World War in 1917 and put in charge
of developing aviation personnel. In
1918 he went to England to take
charge for time of the American air
forces stationed there and was pro-
NOTED to lieutenant colonel.
He was a member of the famous st.
Nicholas hockey team, national anna
teur champions, some % years ago. In
later years. after retiring from tennis,
he was member of the Racquet and
Tennis and Knickerbocker clubs in
New York as well as the Essex Fox.
hounds. His summer home was in Far
Hills, N. j.