GILSON GIRL TAKES HER LIFE
Mabel Smith, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
POISON ENDS HER CAREER
No Cause is Assigned or Imagined for the Sad Affair
STRYCHNINE WAS THE AGENT
By Which the Young Woman Committed Suicide – Coroner Chalmers Institutes an Inquest Into the Case
Mystery surrounds the suicide of pretty Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, who took poison last night at her home two miles west of Gilson. Young, happy, of a generous disposition, living a harmonious life at home, for some unknown cause (at present) she swallowed the fatal drug and died in great agony. Coroner G.S. Chalmers was summoned to the home this morning, and holds an inquest this afternoon.
Last night at the usual hour for retiring, the young lady bade the family good-night and went upstairs to her room. A short time later an aunt of the girl, Miss Jane Ellsworth, who sleeps in an adjoining room, heard her cry for help. She ran to the room, and then called the family. When they reached the girl she was in a terrible state, and shortly after was thrown into convulsions.
WOULD GIVE NO REASON
She admitted to her mother that she had taken strychnine, but would give no reason for the act. She said that she had found the poison in the clock and that she had swallowed it, knowing what she was doing. The family at once applied emetics, but to no avail. A messenger was sent to Gilson, and Dr. E.B. Miller hastened to the home. A minute after he entered the house, the young woman died in great agony. Undertaker Wilder was then sent for at Knoxville, and Dr. Chalmers was notified. The coroner left on the morning train for Gilson.
The terrible affair caused great excitement in the neighborhood. Supervisor James Rebstock of Gilson was in Galesburg today, and gave the details to an Evening Mail reporter. He called at the home yesterday on a matter of business, and saw the young girl there. She seemed as well as ever, and was in a happy frame of mind.
CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR IT
The family are at a complete loss to account for the suicide. The family life is known to be one of the happiest in that part of the country. Mr. Smith and his wife are old residents of the district, and are highly regarded. They live upon a farm owned by E. McElvaine of Gilson, and no family trouble has ever been known. No insanity has ever been perceived on their side.
The mother of the young girl makes the statement that so far as she knows there was nothing the matter with her daughter, and she can assign no cause for the act. The young girl has been going with Frank Pickrel of Gilson for some time.
The family have not been in the habit of keeping poison in the house, and it is thought that the girl must have purchased the drug and hidden it. One other child, a boy, remains to the family. The funeral will be held in Gilson Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 14, 1900
INQUEST IS FINISHED
Jury Investigates the Death of Miss Mabel Smith at Gilson
VERDICT IS RETURNED BY THEM
Declare that She Came to Her Death from Strychnine Administered by Her Own Hand
Coroner George S. Chalmers returned last night from Gilson, where he went to hold an inquest on the death of Miss Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith, who died there Thursday night. The jury found that death was caused from strychnine, administered with suicidal intent.
Arriving at the Smith home yesterday, Dr. Chalmers found a large number of neighbors present to hear the testimony. The following jurors were sworn: George W. Knell, S.C. Selleck, G.W. Duncan, S.E. Woolsey, L.O. Duncan and A.R. Holloway.
The first witness testifying was the mother of the girl. She stated that her daughter was in fair health and that she was better and worse at times. She had been working recently on a waist, and in the evening, after supper, did not seem so cheerful as before. Mrs. Smith was busy preparing for bed at the time her daughter retired, so she did not see her. She was called by the girl later, and gave her lard and milk to no effect. The daughter died about forty minutes after the mother was called. She said that she and her daughter had always been very intimate, and she could assign no reason for the deed. The father was sworn and corroborated the testimony.
Dr. J.B. Miller of Gilson told of being called to attend the case, and of arriving very shortly after the girl died. He declared that death was due to strychnine.
Frank Howater, a hired man living in the family, testified to the jolly disposition of the young woman. He had known her for some time, and they were great friends. He never had seen her in a morose mood.
Frank M. Pickrel, with whom the young woman had been keeping company, was sworn and testified. He said that he had known her for two years and intimately for one year. He said they were engaged to be married. He had seen Miss Smith the afternoon before her death and had parted with her in a very friendly mood. He told her then that he could not take her to an entertainment in Gilson next Saturday night, but that she could come with her brother, and he would take her home. The witness said the young woman did not seem to be disappointed, but said she would see him at the entertainment.
At the conclusion of the evidence, the jury considered the case, and returned a verdict to the effect that Mabel Smith came to her death by a dose of strychnine, taken by her own hand with suicidal intent. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon in Gilson. The entire neighborhood was greatly shocked at the news of the tragic affair, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith received the sympathy of the community.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 15, 1900
Mabel Smith, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
POISON ENDS HER CAREER
No Cause is Assigned or Imagined for the Sad Affair
STRYCHNINE WAS THE AGENT
By Which the Young Woman Committed Suicide – Coroner Chalmers Institutes an Inquest Into the Case
Mystery surrounds the suicide of pretty Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, who took poison last night at her home two miles west of Gilson. Young, happy, of a generous disposition, living a harmonious life at home, for some unknown cause (at present) she swallowed the fatal drug and died in great agony. Coroner G.S. Chalmers was summoned to the home this morning, and holds an inquest this afternoon.
Last night at the usual hour for retiring, the young lady bade the family good-night and went upstairs to her room. A short time later an aunt of the girl, Miss Jane Ellsworth, who sleeps in an adjoining room, heard her cry for help. She ran to the room, and then called the family. When they reached the girl she was in a terrible state, and shortly after was thrown into convulsions.
WOULD GIVE NO REASON
She admitted to her mother that she had taken strychnine, but would give no reason for the act. She said that she had found the poison in the clock and that she had swallowed it, knowing what she was doing. The family at once applied emetics, but to no avail. A messenger was sent to Gilson, and Dr. E.B. Miller hastened to the home. A minute after he entered the house, the young woman died in great agony. Undertaker Wilder was then sent for at Knoxville, and Dr. Chalmers was notified. The coroner left on the morning train for Gilson.
The terrible affair caused great excitement in the neighborhood. Supervisor James Rebstock of Gilson was in Galesburg today, and gave the details to an Evening Mail reporter. He called at the home yesterday on a matter of business, and saw the young girl there. She seemed as well as ever, and was in a happy frame of mind.
CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR IT
The family are at a complete loss to account for the suicide. The family life is known to be one of the happiest in that part of the country. Mr. Smith and his wife are old residents of the district, and are highly regarded. They live upon a farm owned by E. McElvaine of Gilson, and no family trouble has ever been known. No insanity has ever been perceived on their side.
The mother of the young girl makes the statement that so far as she knows there was nothing the matter with her daughter, and she can assign no cause for the act. The young girl has been going with Frank Pickrel of Gilson for some time.
The family have not been in the habit of keeping poison in the house, and it is thought that the girl must have purchased the drug and hidden it. One other child, a boy, remains to the family. The funeral will be held in Gilson Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 14, 1900
INQUEST IS FINISHED
Jury Investigates the Death of Miss Mabel Smith at Gilson
VERDICT IS RETURNED BY THEM
Declare that She Came to Her Death from Strychnine Administered by Her Own Hand
Coroner George S. Chalmers returned last night from Gilson, where he went to hold an inquest on the death of Miss Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith, who died there Thursday night. The jury found that death was caused from strychnine, administered with suicidal intent.
Arriving at the Smith home yesterday, Dr. Chalmers found a large number of neighbors present to hear the testimony. The following jurors were sworn: George W. Knell, S.C. Selleck, G.W. Duncan, S.E. Woolsey, L.O. Duncan and A.R. Holloway.
The first witness testifying was the mother of the girl. She stated that her daughter was in fair health and that she was better and worse at times. She had been working recently on a waist, and in the evening, after supper, did not seem so cheerful as before. Mrs. Smith was busy preparing for bed at the time her daughter retired, so she did not see her. She was called by the girl later, and gave her lard and milk to no effect. The daughter died about forty minutes after the mother was called. She said that she and her daughter had always been very intimate, and she could assign no reason for the deed. The father was sworn and corroborated the testimony.
Dr. J.B. Miller of Gilson told of being called to attend the case, and of arriving very shortly after the girl died. He declared that death was due to strychnine.
Frank Howater, a hired man living in the family, testified to the jolly disposition of the young woman. He had known her for some time, and they were great friends. He never had seen her in a morose mood.
Frank M. Pickrel, with whom the young woman had been keeping company, was sworn and testified. He said that he had known her for two years and intimately for one year. He said they were engaged to be married. He had seen Miss Smith the afternoon before her death and had parted with her in a very friendly mood. He told her then that he could not take her to an entertainment in Gilson next Saturday night, but that she could come with her brother, and he would take her home. The witness said the young woman did not seem to be disappointed, but said she would see him at the entertainment.
At the conclusion of the evidence, the jury considered the case, and returned a verdict to the effect that Mabel Smith came to her death by a dose of strychnine, taken by her own hand with suicidal intent. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon in Gilson. The entire neighborhood was greatly shocked at the news of the tragic affair, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith received the sympathy of the community.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 15, 1900
GILSON GIRL TAKES HER LIFE
Mabel Smith, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
POISON ENDS HER CAREER
No Cause is Assigned or Imagined for the Sad Affair
STRYCHNINE WAS THE AGENT
By Which the Young Woman Committed Suicide – Coroner Chalmers Institutes an Inquest Into the Case
Mystery surrounds the suicide of pretty Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, who took poison last night at her home two miles west of Gilson. Young, happy, of a generous disposition, living a harmonious life at home, for some unknown cause (at present) she swallowed the fatal drug and died in great agony. Coroner G.S. Chalmers was summoned to the home this morning, and holds an inquest this afternoon.
Last night at the usual hour for retiring, the young lady bade the family good-night and went upstairs to her room. A short time later an aunt of the girl, Miss Jane Ellsworth, who sleeps in an adjoining room, heard her cry for help. She ran to the room, and then called the family. When they reached the girl she was in a terrible state, and shortly after was thrown into convulsions.
WOULD GIVE NO REASON
She admitted to her mother that she had taken strychnine, but would give no reason for the act. She said that she had found the poison in the clock and that she had swallowed it, knowing what she was doing. The family at once applied emetics, but to no avail. A messenger was sent to Gilson, and Dr. E.B. Miller hastened to the home. A minute after he entered the house, the young woman died in great agony. Undertaker Wilder was then sent for at Knoxville, and Dr. Chalmers was notified. The coroner left on the morning train for Gilson.
The terrible affair caused great excitement in the neighborhood. Supervisor James Rebstock of Gilson was in Galesburg today, and gave the details to an Evening Mail reporter. He called at the home yesterday on a matter of business, and saw the young girl there. She seemed as well as ever, and was in a happy frame of mind.
CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR IT
The family are at a complete loss to account for the suicide. The family life is known to be one of the happiest in that part of the country. Mr. Smith and his wife are old residents of the district, and are highly regarded. They live upon a farm owned by E. McElvaine of Gilson, and no family trouble has ever been known. No insanity has ever been perceived on their side.
The mother of the young girl makes the statement that so far as she knows there was nothing the matter with her daughter, and she can assign no cause for the act. The young girl has been going with Frank Pickrel of Gilson for some time.
The family have not been in the habit of keeping poison in the house, and it is thought that the girl must have purchased the drug and hidden it. One other child, a boy, remains to the family. The funeral will be held in Gilson Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 14, 1900
INQUEST IS FINISHED
Jury Investigates the Death of Miss Mabel Smith at Gilson
VERDICT IS RETURNED BY THEM
Declare that She Came to Her Death from Strychnine Administered by Her Own Hand
Coroner George S. Chalmers returned last night from Gilson, where he went to hold an inquest on the death of Miss Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith, who died there Thursday night. The jury found that death was caused from strychnine, administered with suicidal intent.
Arriving at the Smith home yesterday, Dr. Chalmers found a large number of neighbors present to hear the testimony. The following jurors were sworn: George W. Knell, S.C. Selleck, G.W. Duncan, S.E. Woolsey, L.O. Duncan and A.R. Holloway.
The first witness testifying was the mother of the girl. She stated that her daughter was in fair health and that she was better and worse at times. She had been working recently on a waist, and in the evening, after supper, did not seem so cheerful as before. Mrs. Smith was busy preparing for bed at the time her daughter retired, so she did not see her. She was called by the girl later, and gave her lard and milk to no effect. The daughter died about forty minutes after the mother was called. She said that she and her daughter had always been very intimate, and she could assign no reason for the deed. The father was sworn and corroborated the testimony.
Dr. J.B. Miller of Gilson told of being called to attend the case, and of arriving very shortly after the girl died. He declared that death was due to strychnine.
Frank Howater, a hired man living in the family, testified to the jolly disposition of the young woman. He had known her for some time, and they were great friends. He never had seen her in a morose mood.
Frank M. Pickrel, with whom the young woman had been keeping company, was sworn and testified. He said that he had known her for two years and intimately for one year. He said they were engaged to be married. He had seen Miss Smith the afternoon before her death and had parted with her in a very friendly mood. He told her then that he could not take her to an entertainment in Gilson next Saturday night, but that she could come with her brother, and he would take her home. The witness said the young woman did not seem to be disappointed, but said she would see him at the entertainment.
At the conclusion of the evidence, the jury considered the case, and returned a verdict to the effect that Mabel Smith came to her death by a dose of strychnine, taken by her own hand with suicidal intent. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon in Gilson. The entire neighborhood was greatly shocked at the news of the tragic affair, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith received the sympathy of the community.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 15, 1900
Mabel Smith, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
POISON ENDS HER CAREER
No Cause is Assigned or Imagined for the Sad Affair
STRYCHNINE WAS THE AGENT
By Which the Young Woman Committed Suicide – Coroner Chalmers Institutes an Inquest Into the Case
Mystery surrounds the suicide of pretty Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, who took poison last night at her home two miles west of Gilson. Young, happy, of a generous disposition, living a harmonious life at home, for some unknown cause (at present) she swallowed the fatal drug and died in great agony. Coroner G.S. Chalmers was summoned to the home this morning, and holds an inquest this afternoon.
Last night at the usual hour for retiring, the young lady bade the family good-night and went upstairs to her room. A short time later an aunt of the girl, Miss Jane Ellsworth, who sleeps in an adjoining room, heard her cry for help. She ran to the room, and then called the family. When they reached the girl she was in a terrible state, and shortly after was thrown into convulsions.
WOULD GIVE NO REASON
She admitted to her mother that she had taken strychnine, but would give no reason for the act. She said that she had found the poison in the clock and that she had swallowed it, knowing what she was doing. The family at once applied emetics, but to no avail. A messenger was sent to Gilson, and Dr. E.B. Miller hastened to the home. A minute after he entered the house, the young woman died in great agony. Undertaker Wilder was then sent for at Knoxville, and Dr. Chalmers was notified. The coroner left on the morning train for Gilson.
The terrible affair caused great excitement in the neighborhood. Supervisor James Rebstock of Gilson was in Galesburg today, and gave the details to an Evening Mail reporter. He called at the home yesterday on a matter of business, and saw the young girl there. She seemed as well as ever, and was in a happy frame of mind.
CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR IT
The family are at a complete loss to account for the suicide. The family life is known to be one of the happiest in that part of the country. Mr. Smith and his wife are old residents of the district, and are highly regarded. They live upon a farm owned by E. McElvaine of Gilson, and no family trouble has ever been known. No insanity has ever been perceived on their side.
The mother of the young girl makes the statement that so far as she knows there was nothing the matter with her daughter, and she can assign no cause for the act. The young girl has been going with Frank Pickrel of Gilson for some time.
The family have not been in the habit of keeping poison in the house, and it is thought that the girl must have purchased the drug and hidden it. One other child, a boy, remains to the family. The funeral will be held in Gilson Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 14, 1900
INQUEST IS FINISHED
Jury Investigates the Death of Miss Mabel Smith at Gilson
VERDICT IS RETURNED BY THEM
Declare that She Came to Her Death from Strychnine Administered by Her Own Hand
Coroner George S. Chalmers returned last night from Gilson, where he went to hold an inquest on the death of Miss Mabel Smith, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith, who died there Thursday night. The jury found that death was caused from strychnine, administered with suicidal intent.
Arriving at the Smith home yesterday, Dr. Chalmers found a large number of neighbors present to hear the testimony. The following jurors were sworn: George W. Knell, S.C. Selleck, G.W. Duncan, S.E. Woolsey, L.O. Duncan and A.R. Holloway.
The first witness testifying was the mother of the girl. She stated that her daughter was in fair health and that she was better and worse at times. She had been working recently on a waist, and in the evening, after supper, did not seem so cheerful as before. Mrs. Smith was busy preparing for bed at the time her daughter retired, so she did not see her. She was called by the girl later, and gave her lard and milk to no effect. The daughter died about forty minutes after the mother was called. She said that she and her daughter had always been very intimate, and she could assign no reason for the deed. The father was sworn and corroborated the testimony.
Dr. J.B. Miller of Gilson told of being called to attend the case, and of arriving very shortly after the girl died. He declared that death was due to strychnine.
Frank Howater, a hired man living in the family, testified to the jolly disposition of the young woman. He had known her for some time, and they were great friends. He never had seen her in a morose mood.
Frank M. Pickrel, with whom the young woman had been keeping company, was sworn and testified. He said that he had known her for two years and intimately for one year. He said they were engaged to be married. He had seen Miss Smith the afternoon before her death and had parted with her in a very friendly mood. He told her then that he could not take her to an entertainment in Gilson next Saturday night, but that she could come with her brother, and he would take her home. The witness said the young woman did not seem to be disappointed, but said she would see him at the entertainment.
At the conclusion of the evidence, the jury considered the case, and returned a verdict to the effect that Mabel Smith came to her death by a dose of strychnine, taken by her own hand with suicidal intent. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon in Gilson. The entire neighborhood was greatly shocked at the news of the tragic affair, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith received the sympathy of the community.
GALESBURG EVENING MAIL: DECEMBER 15, 1900
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