River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-11-14
TIRED OF IT ALL.
rst. T,ouis Hepnbliean

St. Louis Republican.
For some time Mrs. Ida Mayer, widow
lady, So years of age, has been living with
the family of John Seeker. at No. 612 South
Second street. She came from Germany,
leaving all her relatives there, and after the
death of her husband, which occurred sew
eral years ago, Mrs. Mayer was forced to de-
pend almost entirely upon friends for sup
port, as her husband had left her but very
little means. Several days ago the family of
Mr.. Seeker observed that the old lady was
engaged in writing what seemed to be a
long letter, prepared with unusual care, but
no one questioned her in regard to its con-
tents and she did not say anything which
even suggested The character or purpose of
theletter. TWAS finished last Friday evening,
and about o'clock Saturday evening she
put it into an envelope, with two or three
short slips of paper, and placed it on table
in the sitting room. Soon afterward the old
lady disappeared, and was seen no more until
$50 o'clock yesterday morning, when an
officer found her body lying in the edge of
the river at the foot of Plum street, and
conveyed it to the morgue. 1t was evident
that she had not thrown herself into the
river, but had simply laid down in the water,
which was not more than two feet and half
deep at the place where she was discovered,
and thus ended her existence by drowning.
Saturday night Mrs. Seeker and family re-
tired at the usual hour, thinking that Mrs,
Mayer was somewhere in the house or net
far away, and would make her appearance
soon. But as the hours passed they began
to feel
UNEASY AND SUSPICIOUS
that something had happened to the old
lady. Mrs. s. noticed the envelope on the
table and opened it, finding letter addressed
to them all and a will, both written in Ger
man, and neither bearing any date. The
following is translation of the letter:
DEAR Mrs. SEcKIER AND FAMILY This is
the last letter | will ever write you, for ] am
tired of my life and will end it. 1 have not
the courage to bid you farewell, and earnest
ly hope that l may be successful in my I'M
dertaking. Take charge of all l possess,
and divide it between Rosa and Malwine.
TO Louis leave my watch as a keepsake. /
am old and cannot work much,
and what would be my lot but
the poor house? I am going to jump
into the river, where 50 many find rest from
life's trouble, and may God help me, if there
is God. Tonight friday I will commit
suicide. My relatives cannot assist me any
longer, because they cannot afford it. No
body will weep for me. You, dear, have
taken care of me, and therefore you shall
have all possess. have rest nowhere in
this world. If anybody should ask for me,
tell all you know. My mind, / think, is de-
ranged. dare not take leave of you in per-
son, for my heart is heavy and sorrowfnl
Farewell, my dear; think of me sometimes.
The future is so dark that it is far better
should be dead. pray you not to search
for me; l shoH be drowned when you read
these lines. When the night comes / shall
jump into the river. cannot write to my
friends in Germany any more. Perhaps
you think ii impossible that | should
COMMIT SUICIDE,
b 1T have intended it for some time. You
asked me often Whether intended TO kill
myself. Yes, it is Sc Who would like to
take care of an old woman like me, without
means? After my boly is found, | do not
care where il is bUrel. My sorrow is too
great for me to bar, and l do not
wish to live longer. The pictures of my
husband and myself you may keep, if you
like. If I was not Homeless, would not
take my life, but an existence like mine is
miserable and without any consolation. |
cannot Lesitate-it must be done. / can
write no more, and mist now take leave of
you. My hand tremhes when l think OF
my last moments, and how fortunate it win
be for my friends when Tn out of the
world. do not know which street ! shall
take to the river. Lilo down and go to sleep,
and don't wait for me. Farewell forever"
There was no signature to the letter. 1t
appears that she intended to carry out her
design Friday night, but for some reason
did not do SO. The will found i'll the en-
velope is as follows:
"My last will: My watch and umbrella
give to Louis; all my clothing TO Mrs. Seek
Ter, Rosa and Malwine. Everything IS good
and may last them for long time yet.
There are some pictures in my trunk, and /
would kindly request you to save them. My
spectacles I give to Mr.. Seeker. Nobody
knows that have willed YOU all"