Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-22
suicide of !, Young Lady at San dose.


SAN JOSE, March 2lst.-Considerabl con.
sternation was produced here to-day by the
announcement that last night, about II
o'clock, Miss Lou M. James, d beautiful girl
aged about seventeen years, niece of Mrs.
Levi Goodrich, formerly Mrs. Sarah L.
Knox, had committed suicide at the latter's
residence on First street. An inquest was
held this afternoon, previous to which all
kinds Of rumors were prevalent. Deceased
and younger sister came to this State with
Mrs. Goodrich from their home in Spring
field, Illinois, in 1876, when their aunt re-
turned from the Centennial Exposition, for
the purpose of attending school, and Miss Lou
was expected tograduate from the high schoolat
the end Of the present school year. The
facts elected at the Coroner's inquest this
afternoon were as follows: For few months
past deceased had been engaged to be mar
ried to young man residing at San Fran
cisco, who is employed at the San Francisco
Mint. He visited her regularly, and everys
thing was apparently particularly harmonious
between them. He was in this city for the
last tire on the 18th instant, and was ex-
pected here again last evening. She was of
very happy disposition. but since the visit
of her faucee she appeared more so than
usual. The only particular thing noticeable
was the avidity with which she inquired daily
for letters, but none came. Last evening
Mrs. Goodrich returned from Sacramento by
the $50 train, and noticing that Louisa seemed
depressed in spirits, asked the cause, but
was told that nothing was wrong. After sup
per she " ent to the front gate and waited till
the last train from San Francisco arrived.
Her lover not coming, as expected, she after
a short time returned to the house. Her sis
ter was playing the piano, and asked her to
join her. Sh9 refused, saying she was not in
;
her room, which she occupied together
with her sister. Some time later the
sister went to the room, and before
retiring, at the request OF deceased, went
down stairs after school book which de-
ceased said she wished to study. She sat
down and commenced 20 study the lesson
Her sister then retired About half past 10
the younger sister was awakened by deceased,
who told her to go and call her aunt. She
replied, "What for, Lou? Aunt is asleep.
| will do anything for you you wish" To
which answer deceased said, mo, you can
rot | want aunt. Call her quick" "Whk
is the matter?" asked the other
Nothing; but call aunt" 'There must
be something serious, else you would
not want to disturb Aunt Sarah
at this hour" To which deceased replied;
4 have taken strychnine, and am dying
call aunt, quick" Her'sister asked, What
have you done this for" and the unfortunate
girl replied, ''Oh you could not under
stand" Mrs. Goodrich was Immediately
aroused and on entering the room Miss james
said. 'Oh aunt, am dying. Forgive me-"
Just then convulsious commenced, and lasted
until she died, half an hour later. Nothing
further was elected. It was also stated that
some time before, deceased had declared that
she intended to make bonfire OF all her let
tiers, and as none of these were found it is be
lieved that she destroyed them. 1t also came
ont that several times she had in
Joking way said she thought she would 6 turn
on the gas" A day or two ago mirror
was broken in the house, and when the cook
said it was certain sign of death in the fam
lily she said, g | don't know but what cook is
right, as I think | shall turn on the
gas SOON" No vestige of the poison
could be found. As she had not
left the house the day previous, it is
known that she must have procured the
poison before that time, and that the suicide
was premeditated. As usual, there are sew
eral rnmors not authenticated, going to show
that her lover had discovered that she had
been too intimate with the son of retired
doctor of this city; that she had confessed
this to him at their last meeting that he had
apparently forgiven her, but his failure to
write and TO come at the time appointed left
the impression that he had deserted her, and
she in dependency took the fatal drug. The
only explanation appears in the fact that she
did not get letter or visit. The suicide is
deeply regretted. 1t is said that the name of
her lover is Potter, and he is said to be very
excellent young man.