The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-31
THE MISSOURI TRAGEDK
The Suicide OF Miss Juiia Rowland. aud her
UncIe,s Altempt ON his Own Life.

FAYErTE, Mo, March 2s.-The suicide OF
Miss Julia Rowland on Sunday last. because OF
her uncles continued opposition TO her mar
rage. and his attempted suicide on soeng the
tragic result OF his course toward tho young
lady, has created intenee Excitement in this
region. MI james Rowland was wealthy
bachelor and farmer across the Boone County
line. and tho brother OF tho late Judge Robert A.
Rowland. He cultivated large farm. and had
MS his housokeepor his niece Julia. whose
mother on dying. four years ago, committed
her TO his care. Miss Rowland was exception
ally beautiful. She was tall and slender. and
had a wealth OF glossy black hair. She was IL
years old. and was left an orphan early In life by
the death Of her father as Confederate prisoner
in the Alton ull.l prison. in the late war. Her
uncle became her protector. and II Is said con-
templatcd making her the heiress to his wealth:
He was devoted to her. and treated her most
tcnderly. Miss Rowland becamo attached to a
poor young man in the nelghborhood. and be-
turo her uncle was aware OF their relations
there was an engagement between them
Her uncle set his face against their mar
riage. and forbade his niece to see her lover
ngnin. his main objection being that inc
EE3uh s wns an unvfeIJlpp in Ms r obstinacy he
young girl prepared to commit suicide. and on
last sunday morning arranged herself WITH
uncle In going to her room saw hor dead body
on the bed The face WINS pale but smile chung
10 inc lips even IN ucNln. n picture Oh neT lpNtr
lay 10y her side and on the back of II were writ
| ten these words.
DEAR FriFNps; have taken poison this morning. to
take from this world, tor cannot stay any longer
Grrve not tor me tor am going home 10 rest forever
cannot write any longer Tell Grow her married sister
, not to think hard Of my not writing TO her j. v H.
Mr.. Rowland, Overcome by n sense OF blame
J IN having caused his niece's suicide through
! ohstinacy. Mt once got his pistol and shot him.
/ self in the head. The bullet entered Just be-
hind his right ear. and he fell upon the lounge.
| No one else was In the house At about noon
/ his brother. Joshua Rowland and his family
reached the house TO spend the day with Miss
| Julia Rowland. The house was closed up. but
IA Mr.. Rowland listened NJ tho door ho heard
| groaus from the inside. Forcing open shut,
| ter. he saw his brother in agony from the pistol
! shot wound. tossing about on the lounge. the
! blood flowing over the snowy pillow In erin
| son stream He quickly forced an entrance MIR
| Rowland was still conscious. and while rendJ
10 talk upon almost any topic Of immediate in
terest, when he was questioned about the deatt
| OF his niece and his own injury. he closed
! his eyes and WIS silent The surroundings
| told their own story. A letter was found in the
! dead girls trunk. addressed to her lover. nnC
| explaining to him that she had nothing To live
for without him, and that she could only SAL
farewell. On Monday evening her body wal
buried in u neighhoring cemetery n weep nI
throng attending. Mr.. Rowland was alive thi
morning. but his recovery Is in doubt.