Stars Break Up Hearst Yacht Party When Death Strikes Ince -- November 19, 2024

New York Daily News, 20-November-1924

One hundred years ago today, on 19-November-1924 producer Thomas H Ince died under what some see as questionable circumstances. William Randolph Hearst and his inamorata Marion Davies invented several Hollywood acquaintances to a party on Hearst's yacht, Oneida. On 15-November-1924, the group held a birthday party for producer, director and writer Thomas H Ince. Ince took sick that evening. He may have indigestion, a heart problem or some sources insist that he had been shot. Some people believe that William Randolph Hearst was jealous of Charlie Chaplin's attentions to Marion Davies and that Hearst tried to shoot him but mistook Ince for Chaplin. Ince's family took him to their home in Los Angeles, where he died on the Nineteenth. 

STARS BREAK UP HEARST YACHT

PARTY WHEN DEATH STRIKES INCE

Director Dies in Arms of

Wife; Children Near

(Special to DAILY NEWS)
Los Angeles, Cal., Nov. 9. -- Thomas H, Ince, maker of celebrated films and film celebrities, died early this morning at his Beverly Hill home, of a heart seizure. The producer's death was sudden and came from a heart affection following an attack of indigestion which began at a yacht party aboard the Oneida, off San Diego, last Sunday.

Personages who made merry with Ince on Sunday when the yacht party was turned into a celebration for Ince's forty-third birthday anniversary, dispersed yesterday and tonight none could be reached, although a partial list of the guests assembled from other quarters contained the following names:

Marion Davies, William Randolph Hearst, Elinor Glyn, Charlie Chaplin, Seena Owen, D.C. Goodman, Margaret Livingstone.

Miss Davies Hostess

It is understood Miss Davies issued the invitations for the party.

Ince died in the arms of his wife and surrounded by their children, William, 14; Thomas H. jr., 11 and Richard, 8. at his estate, Dias Dorados, in Beverly Hills.

The film magnate decided to quit the Oneida when he found that Dr. D.C. Goodman, the executive head of Hearst's film enterprises and formerly a practicing physician, was returning by train to Los Angeles by San Diego by train on Monday morning.

Became Nauseated

Shortly after taking the train at San Diego Ince became violently ill. He was extremely nauseated, and Dr. Goodman decided when the train stopped at Del Mar, 25 miles on the road toward Los Angeles, that his friend's condition was critical.

He gave the film magnate temporary attention until Dr. Parker of La Jolla, Cal., and a nurse summoned from San Diego arrived at Stratford inn, in Del Mar, to attend the sick man. Both doctors agreed Ince was suffering from acute indigestion, which often precedes heart seizure.

Mrs. Ince was notified by wire at Beverly Hills and another wire sent to the yacht party at San Diego, which broke up after news of Ince's condition.

The Oneida is said to be listed in marine records under the name of International Film Corporation.

It has been regarded however, as the personal yacht of Miss Davies, used by her on week-ends and periods between the making of pictures.

The yacht, when in New York waters, was known as the property of Mr. Hearst. It came to coast waters from New York within the past several months.