Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-31
DISTRESSING DEATH OF
A YOUNG LADY.
A NORMAL SCHOOL PUPIL WHILE IN
SANE COMMITS SUICIDE

A NORMAL SCHOOL PUPIL WHILE IN
SANE COMMITS SUICIDE
THE PURCHASE OF sTRYCHNINE IN
sTAUNToN-A MOURNING DRESS CAR
RIED ASA PRESENT TO HER MOTHER
ITY.
&C, &C.. &C.
On Thursday aftern DON last merry
party of teachers, who are attending the
Normal School, stood on the sward IN
front of Mrs. Bayly's near Trinity church,
where they were guests, playing croquet.
One of item was tall, 1.-the girl OF great
beauty, with black hair and with eyes
glittering with mirth. So marked was
her beauty that it had been a subject OF
comment among her fellow teachers OF
the school. and on account of 1t she had
been selected for part in the "Fortune
Teller" at the Teachers Entertainment
at the Opera House on Wednesday night
last. She was daughter of Maj. Thomas
FL. Awde, respected and well to do citI-
3onG OF TING fRSln1I9 AS1sA " ~ ASS
boro, and was but few months past
nineteen years Of age. She had been ed
ucated chiefly in the family of Mr.. Geo.
q. Killiau, relative, near Ivy Depot in
Albemarle, and was young girl of re-
markable intellect. In one winter she
had mastered German so as to speak it
fuently. Though her family were in cir
eumstances that rendered it unnecessary
that she should teach, she was young
lady of much independence OF character
and preferred to follow profession that
she loved. Her home was a delightful
one, she was the pet of her parents and
everything seemed to point to happy life
for this young girl, whose beauty on the
croquet ground attracted the attention of
those who passed on the street.
On Saturday she determined to go home,
but it was understood she was to return
in time to take part in the Opera House
entertainment. On the day before, in
company with another lady scholar OF
the Normal, she called at the drug store
of DR.. N. Wayt & Bro. and said she want
ed to buy some strychnine for her father,
who wanted to kill rats. She gave her
name and residence, as is required OF those
who buy deadly drugs, but as there was
hesitation about selling it to her a young
gentleman present promptly identi-
fed her to the proprietor. She was in high
spirits and laughed good deal as to
the regulations made as to selling it,
AS she left the store she remarked to her
companion ''why wonder if he thinks I
want to kill myself" On the next
day she took Capt. Lynn's accommo-
dation train and at Fishersyille got off and
started by vehicle for home. She took her
trunk with her. On the trip down Capt.
Lynn remembers that she was in gay
spirits. On Monday the community in
Staunton was shocked to hear that she
was dead. A representative of the VIM
DICTATOR visited her fathers residence on
Wednesday, and received from her bereav-
ed mother and friends, and the two physic-
1ans VINO attended her, the following facts
about her death:
When she got home Saturday afternoon
she was in gay spirits and directly on get
ting into the house asked if supper was
ready She sat down TO the table early,
and commenced eating bread and butter,
saying she was very hungry. She ate so
heartily that her mother said to her that
1t must be the change of return to home
fare that gave her such an appetite. After
supper she unpacked her trunk and clear
ed it out SO thoroughly that her mother
suggested that she could not intend re-
turning to the Normal, to which Willie
replied, 'Oh, when [ go back, l will only
take my satchel." Out of her trunk she
took the goods for a mourning dress,
which she had bought for her while in
Staunton and handed it to her mother
saying, Mother, this will do for you if
you go in mourning.o After tea the
family went out On the front porch and
sat in the moonlight. She was in high
spirits and told her mother all the daily
news about the Normal. AS her pastor,
Rev A L. Krouse. rode by he said good
evening to her in German aad she made a
reply in the same language. She sat Oh
the porch till late. and talked IN her usual
spirits, speaking much Of her acquaint-
ances in Stanton, and chiefly of her
roommate here. Miss Hahn, who was a
great favorite of hers. The family then
retired for the night.
1t was not very long afterwards, and
about l / O'Clock, when her mother heard
from her room a sound as if the head
board of the bed was being shaken. She
ran in and found Willie in a CONFUSION.
She got camphor and bathed her face.
When the CONFUSION subsidized she asked
her what was the matter. The daughter
only replied, sob, I am so tired; so tired. !"
The CONFUSION came on again and DR..
Killian, who lives near. was sent for.
When he got there he found her in yet an
other CONFUSION. He soon saw symptoms
of poison, and as the CONFUSION subsidized,
asked her what she had been taking. She
renlied, II ate a piece of candy in Staun-
ton and 1t has made me SICK" He COM
menced giving her such antidotes as were
at hand, and later asked her If she had
been taking any medicine. She replied,
'sNo, haven It; there is nothing the mat
ter'' The commissions continued and Dr..
K. sent for DR.. Myers of Waynesboro.
DIR. NJ. arrived just before she went into
her last CONFUSION. She said to him,
"Hold me''; and then inquired of him.
''Can't you help me ?'' IN minute more
she had expired.
Search was made after the death, by the
family for poison in her room, but nothing
could be found. But Mr.. Philip Killian
friend of the family made closer search
and on the top of the wardrobe in the room