Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-07-16
MRS. IRwIN's SUICIDE.
She Shoots Herself Through the Heart
With a Pistol.

OUC 0NNNOA0 JIG AANaAA ~ W.
With a Pistol.
Evansville COurier.l
One of the saddest and most start
ling tragedies that has ever occurred
in the city took place yesterday, when
Mrs. DIR. Irwin carried her young life
into the great unknown land. Atirst
the rumor was disbelieved, and when
the fact became known hal the beau
tiful woman, who, but a few short
weeks ago had stood beside the man
whose name she bore, with a woman's
love and tenderness, and had vowed to
be a helpmeet to him, had destroyed
that young life, a feeling of horror
overspread the feelings of those who
had known her on earth aud those
who had known of her, Probably no
more sad death has ever occurred. A
woman young, beautiful and cultured,
surrounded by everything that helps
to make lie bright and joyous, delib-
erately shoots herself, leaving behind
a blank in a husbands heart that will
never be filled while memory lasts
him and a yearning sadness in the
hearts of devoted parents. No cause.
can be assigned for the rash act, as her
home was made pleasant by husbands
devotedness, and every luxury that
money could command. Mrs. Irwin
was undoubtedly laboFing under tenn
porary mental alteration as all the
facts go to prove. Mary Espers, a
servant in the family, gave a clear and
detailed statement OF the facts that
occurred just previous to and after
the fatal act had been committed. She
says that in referring to the events of
the day, hat DR.. Irwin was a little
later than usual coming home to din
ner that he and his wife while the
meal was being put on tho table we're
seated in the yard under an apple
tree, both seemingly in excellent hui
NOR and spirits, that at the table
Mrs. Irwin ate but little, refusing
meats and vegetables offered her that
after the meal was over both went
into the sitting-room where they re-
manned until about a quarter after 2
o'clock, when DR.. Irwin took his de-
parture, Mrs. Irwin following him to
the door. After the doctor had gone,
Mrs. Irwin went to her room and
must have been sewing, as the girl
heard the sewing machine running.
About half past 3, Mary Espers
stepped to Mrs. Twins room and
asked if she might spend the after
noon out. Mrs. Irwin expressed her
willingness. Mary then asked what
time she should get supper, Mrs.
Irwin said she did not know, but
half. past 6 would be time enough.
At this time Mary did not notice
anything strange in her manner. Mary
then went to her own room aud was
making her preparations to 90 out,
when she heard a pistol shot.
She Immediately ran to Mrs.
TWINS room and said, "Oh,
Mrs. Irwin, what have you
been doing Mrs. Irwin replied :
oh, Mary! Oh, Mary what
is the matter?" Mrs. Irwin then
turned toward her, aud as she did so
Mary saw the pistol 10 her hand, aud
rs it was pointed toward her she
Jumped behind the door and then ran
to her room. She had not been there
/ minute when she heard another
shot. On returning to the room she
saw Mrs. Irwin in the middle Of the
floor, looking as though she was going
to fall. The girl says she caught her
and laid her on the floor and got a wet
towel to bathe her head. She was
terribly frightened and commenced
crying. She afterward sent for Mrs.
DeRby, and when she got there Mrs.
Irwin vas breathing her last. The
scene on DR.. lTwip'S arrival at home
was heartrending IN the extreme. He
fell on entering the patlOF eQmeplete-
" exhausted from the fear Of he
knew not what. Scores of sympa
thizing friends were there to render
such consolation as sympathetic
hearts could suggest Upon an ex-
animation Of the body it was discoy-
cred that the ball had passed com
pletely through, it entering Just over
the heart, and from a mark on the
floor it would, were it not for the evi
dence Of Mary Espers, seem that Mrs.
Irwin was lying down when the fatal
shot was fred. The first ball had en-
tered the ceiling, not far from the
door. The pistol used vas a Smith
& Wesson thirty-two oaliber and one
that DR.. Irwin has had foP some
years.