Assing, who had despair and was identified with incurable breast cancer, fully commited suicide in France in 1884 right after listening to of the relationship. His associations with Julia Griffiths and Ottilie Assing, two women of all ages with whom he was professionally included, triggered recurring speculation and scandals. On February 20, 1895, Douglass attended a meeting of the National Council of Women in Washington, D.C.