Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-15
ENDING A LIFE OF SHAME.
DAISY SIMMONS SENDS A Bull
ltT 1NrO HER BRAIN.

Coroner's Investigation-Verdic of the
Jury.
At $40 o'clock last night Eta Sim
mons, an inmate Of Josie DeCamp's
house. No. 50 Price street, shot herself in
the head with a pistol. She lived only
fOrty-fve minutes, and died on the floor
where she fell. No one was in the room
at the time. Her lover had just left her,
and was standing in the front door Of the
house when the shot was fired. He had
called a half hour before to get some arti-
cles which belonged to him, and
to bid the girl goodbye, as he
She entreated him not TO leave her. de-
claring that she loved him desperately.
and that he would not see her again. AS
he was going down stairs, she called Lot
tie Rankins, who was in an adjoining
room. When her friend en-ered, Eta
kissed her and said 'goOd-bye," and ask
her to call the young man who was going
out Of the door.
Lottie Rankins stepped into the hallway
ana called to the young man to come back
a moment, as Eta wished to see him.
His reply was 1T is no use"
THE FATAL SHOT.
The next instant the shot was heard.
The young man hurried up the stairs.
Lizzie Maxwell Was the first TO enter the
room. Others came in Immediately, and
they found the Young girl lying in a pool
of blood on tine floor beside the bed.
Dr.. Nichols was summoned and arrived
In a few minutes. He found that the
wound was atal, and that no treatment
could save the girls life. The bullet had
entered the forehead on the right
side back Of and an inch and a
half above the eve. Her pulse
continued to beat until 9:25. There We're
four or i've other girls IN the house at the
time, and they were greatly excited, as
matter Of course.
When Coroner Dixon summoned jury
Of inquest, the Jurors found slight, deli
cate, girlish figure living on the floor. The
room was small, but we'll furnished, and
was on the south side of the house. A
large pool Of blood had OoZed from the
wound upon the carpet. The gir's right
hand still clutcaed the pistol, which was
a 32-calibre Smith ~ Wesson. One of the
five chambers was empty.
MOTHER HUBBARD DRESS
revealed a graceful and petite form. The
face was quite fair, the bloody side being
down and hidden. Only one or two red
stains disfpured the upturned cheek and
well-rounded arms. The dark hair fell
Gown over the temple, cOnceallng the
ugly hole.
DR.. Nichols and the Coroner lifted the
light body upon the bed and an attendant
removed the slippers and jewelry. A
towel was thrown over the clotted mass
on the carpet. and the jury was sworn.
Lizzie Mitchell was the first witness.
She said thai she was in the ball room a
few minutes before 8 O'Clock. Hurrying
upstairs she found the deceased as
described above breathing and holding
the pistol. She was unconscious ana did
not speak. The witness had known the
deceased for four weeks. and at no time
had believed that she contemplated
suicide. She believed that the girl had
quarreled with her friend on Tuesday, but
knew nothing of the particulars.
THE GIRLS CAREER.
James Landsberger was called and
stated that the girls name was Eta
Hinson, that her mother and stepfather
live near GoldsborOugh, n. c., and that
she was about Il years old. He had
known her for eighteen months. First
met her at Augusta. Two months ago he
persuaded her to 20 home and reform.
she remained with her parents about four
weeks. attending school during the time.
He wanted to send her home yesterday,
ana Ilu UtI NlhL Nt GOull UOl i've
with her He saw her for moment dur
ing the afternoon on the street. She seemed
cheerful, and at both meetings did not
give any evidence of suicidal intent
beyond intimating that he would not see
her again. She was OF a Jealous dispO-
sltiOn, and he did not think Of sound mind.
LOttie Rankins was the third and last
witness. She knew the girl as daisy
simmons" ''When she called me into
her room and kissed me and bade me good
bye" she said. 81 thought she was going
to bed, as she was attired in her night
dress. | left her sitting on the edge of
the bed to call JIM She heard him re-
fuse to come back, and tired the
next instant. l did not know that
she had a pistol about her at
the time. She had one on Saturday
night, and lett the house with the inten-
ton Of shooting him il she could find him.
Her friend offered me s. if would get his
pistol, which he thought Daisy had. She
said she did not have IT,"
written statement Of DR.. +. II.
Nichols was received, in which he stated
that he could not find any pulse at the
wrist when he arrived. The carotid ar
terry beat 100 to the minute.
THE JURY's VERDICT.
This closed the evidence, and the jury
returned a verdict stating that she died
from pistol shot wound inflicted by her
own hand with suicidal intent.
IL was midnight before the inquest was
over, and knots Of people were still stand
ing IN the rain on a iacent corners dis
cussing the terrible deed. The body will
be taken IN charge by Coroner Dixon. a
telegram was sent TO Mrs. Hins0n stating
that her daughter was dead and asking
what should be done with the body. In
the room was found a sheet Of note paper,
on which five stanZas We're written legibiy
In "A sentimental, school girl style. TWAS
dated Saturday and cntitled;
THE BROKEN LINK.
now give up thy friendship.
It's % hard aud bitter thing.
But mine Is a nature far tu proud
To bear neglecrs cold sting.
IT'S bitter lesson added
To ihns already learned.
The huiest feelings OF the heart
Are oiumes rudcly spurltd.
Bni set ] cannot blame Won.
tn" fault Wny have been mine.
! SAW NOu clad va ycstmcuts,
Perhaps not truly thine.
hlught thy heart was noble
Aud tnuder a- IN uc own
Alas! but twas q mirage
The soul had round me thrown.
The last siauza read:
But no; and yet believe me,
AS breathe thi. last farewell.
NJ thought Of bitterness or scOrn
Doth boy my bosom dwell.