The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-10-13
A WACO SUICIDE.
A Highly Esteemed and Gentle Lady
Cuts Her Throat With a Razor.
SHOCKING SUNDAY SPECTACLE.
Mrs, E. A. Jones, In am Attack of Mental
Alteration, Takes Her Life-Her
Husband Summoned From
Church to the Scene.

WACO, Oct l2.-tSpecial. The follow
ing is the Days Extra, which explains
itself: "There have been tragedies
social, domestic and otherwise in Waco
life, death and the happi
ness of families and in turn they have
burst upon the community, furnishing
food for talk, regret and wonder. We
cannot recall, however, an event that
has so greatly shocked and filled with
regret (because of its deplorable nature)
this community az the death, this morn
ing, by her own hands, OF
MRS. Il. A, JONES,
the estimable wife Of Hon. 4. A. Jones,
senior member of the law firm of Jones
Il Kendall. AT first those who heard il
could not believe the sad tidings; it
seemed too utterly Improbable. As the
hours went by, however, and messin-
gers from the residence confirmed what
had first been heard, the news was ac-
cepted and the sentiments of astonish-
mont gave way to . feeling of profound,
widespread regret for such an untimely
demise of a lady who was the embodf.
ment of
woMANLY AND CHRISTIAN GRACEs.
"In placing the news before its home
readers thus early, The Day can give
only such general facts as have been
gathered hastily and under some diff
culties, for the circumstances and high
standing of the family forbade unseem-
ly and hurried intI'psion on those who
mourn; their grief is too intense and sa-
cred to be exposedtopublic view. Accord
ing to such accounts as are attainable
TIE NOW DEAD LADY,
between the hours Of o and 10 this morn
ing, stated that she desired to rest for
awhile, for which purpose she would re-
tire to her private chamber; that she
would prefer TO bo lett quiet and undis-
turbed by anyone while thus resting.
She did so retire, closing the door after
her. aud was not seen again alive bv
anyone. Sometime elapsed and all was
quiet in the room tHat proved to be the
CIIAMBER OF DEATH.
Not Il sound came iOIth to denote what II
tragedy had been thore enacted. At last
Il member of the family, believing thar
Mrs. Jones was slcel ing and that If not
properly covered she might catch cold.
thought it would be prudent to enter the
room and perform tlIGt service. Ouiptl ,
and slowly the door was opened lest TIM
sleeper be awakened. The sceno thnt
was revealed almost rro2e the blood I'm
the Veins Of the behol1er. Mrs. Jones
LAY DEAD uN THE FLOOR,
I'm the middle of the room. The crim-
son stream that ran q pm her throat fan
away from the body, told the taly.
Across the throat, IN front, ran a
wound. The veins had been severed bv
a sharp blade. The instrument of de.
strucjIOn lay near. It was a razor,
RrInhf unI ghurfN
h1uds this gentle woman had performed
the act that waited hsr soul unto an
other shore and left M ight but the
STILL, LlPELt nuDY
to the view of husband, children anc
friends. OF course, aNcr this discovery
all was terror, grief and hustle. Til,
husband, all unaware of the torribl,
tidings that would c.ll him home, wa.
IN the city attending religious services
Messengers were dispatched quickly fol
MIN and physicians, and both answered
the call promptly enough. Drs, Joe \
Willis and w. II. Wilkes were the first
physicians on the scene. They could
only look at the body, shake their heads
and turn away. IL was
TOO LATE FOR HUMAN SKILL.
lhio had fled and the lady was dead
According to the physician's estimates
she had expired an hour before they
came. AS she entered the room betweei
. and 10 o'clock it follows that the doet
was committed almost immediately
thereafter. 1t Is probable that sucl
was her purpose when she stated sh,
desired rest and wished TO be undis
turbcd. But for the care which prompt
ed attention, it would have been m
hour or more later until the discovery
would have been madu.
THEORIES AS TO THE ACT.
"lf Mrs. Jones left anything, i'm th,
nature of writing or orally, stating hei
intontlon and the motives leading there
TO, we have not heard of II. 1t is no
probable that anything of the kint
would bc made known og given to Ia,
puulic thus carly. D.. Wilkes thoor,
* that Il ll-health, continued and causin,
great physical sullOring, had ailecte,
her nervous aud mental system, culmi
Mating IN the tragedy OF to-day, IL /,
well known to her friends that for som,
time her health has hem feoble, and 1
was with tho hope of restoring IL tina
she spent the summer inst closed on In,
EtsrhhN SHORE or MARYLAND,
NJ IrincosS Anne. IL is cool and sulu
briuuS thurc; she was surrounded b,
relatives and friends; IL was the land o.
her nativity aud she moved amid ia,
scenes OF her earlier days. Uniottun
atcly, however, she did not recuperat,
as rapidly or as thoroughly rs was hopcc
lor' ana when she turned her face home
Ward ieW days ago she was still weak
Nthough apparently muih better tina,
Wleh she lelV waco In the early spring
she had two of her smaller cbildre,
with her and the party came yln ~
Louis, spending n day there and
go, REACHED WACO YESTERDAY.
The joyous greeting with husband
children, relatives and friends. p1o,
months of separation can be imnpinod
IL was noticeable, however, that Mrs
Jones did not seem her usual buoynnt
cheerful selii she appeared dcspoidenl
aS u uepressod with premunitiOn o.
somo impending evil. Ii can only u,
surmlsed that this feeling 40 grew iipo,
her, and took possession of her that 4
was under its impulse she took tn,
dread step.
THERE CAN M so OTHER TuHoRy.
Her domestic relations were of In,
happtest nature. Tho love of husban,
ana children was tender, far.renchinp
deep and loyal; ample means gave M,
family all the comforts and luxurips q
me- she found pleasure nhor homo life
the social circle, aud was moreover
devoted aud consistent christian,
member ot the Protestant Episcopa
church. Tho death, under such circnm
stances, of any other person In Waco
cou'u NOT nave been mote OF surpr,s,
and shock to thiscommuulty.
MRS. JONES'
was about ~ years ofage, a highly cul
tureu woman, amiahlo an of charmln,
personal charOrioiisucs. She was m,
mother OF four bright children and II 10,
al her duties admirably as wife, mother
nnlS nnu member OF society. Like her nus