The sun., 1890-01-21
SHE ESCAPED STARVATION.
room GRACE HENDERSON ENDS HIS
ERR M SUICIDE

WORK and Ignorant OF the Help that
Was Ready EnouEh-Her Dismal story
OF the wilderness Side OF New York.
It was learned yesterday that the woman
who committed suicide by throwing herself
to the sidewalk from the roof OF 105 Second
avenue shortly before midnight on Sunday had
lived in the houseifor six weeks. She was Mrs.
Grace Cyrene Henderson, and she had lived
with her husband until o short time ngo in
Hartford. Her husbands name was Edward
M. Henderson. He had kept a book and music
store in Hartford for several years. Failing In
business he came to this city and hired rooms
for himself and his wife from Hugo CASTOR. the
proprietor OF the Second avenue house. Hem
derson was sick In the New York Hospital for
some time. Afterward he became canvasser
for Anderson l. Gillette In the Standard Union
office, Brooklyn. His visits TO his wife became
fewer and fewer. and finally they ceased alto
Gether. His wife was thrown on her own re-
sources and she tried to get work, tramplnR
up and down the streets day after day, asking
for scrub work or washing, but unable to get
1t because city references were demanded. She
had no references. because she had mover
done such work. She Was 80 years old. and
finely kent tawney hair washer chief personal
attraction.
On table In Mrs. Henderson's attic room
yesterday was found this letter. written In
fine. flowing handwriting. Il was evidently
addressed to her husband:
SUNDAY EVENING.
Mr. EVER BELOVED Ed: am not In 4 at condition Of
mind to write you, because am too deSpondent
cannot get any employment and what ia going to be-
come Of me know not was out in ali that storm
last week. and came in drenched and usual unsuo-
cesstul and think will become total wreck it ever
again hear tho expression, Have you any refer.
encesr
Women vho were 40 ignorant that I felt sorry for
them would not take me in their kitchens because
could not show "city roferepceA" and tried OF.
plain that had had work before but because
was not born and bred In the gutter must starve
Such Is life In charitable New York. There 10 help for
all but the gentee and they the who suffer
most but have the satisfaction Of knowing that
have tried and would have done any honest work.
even to scrubbing. could have got plenty OF shady
work. widowers who advertise for housokeeperS and
meSc arrangements are very plenty in this city but
mann ot SPt You'd IKE 20 have shot tTe ep Of tSs
heads on the old fools
On tho letter were two spashes OF blood from
her wrist She had tried to commit suicide by
letting out the blood with q razor.
:. Mrs. Frank Pellen. wife of u photographer.
see Mrs. Henderson alive. She said yesterday
Il learned from Mrs. Henderson that che had
been tramping the avenues on Thursday last
and that The was worn out and sick on Friday.
On, Saturday she was looking for work again.
had not been able to get anything to eat. SO
gave her some food. She did not eat all of It,
very ilttle St II; indeea, Tor she was exhausted:
while Mrs. Henderson was talking she sat
at a little table. and while she talked she wrote
after she was dead but che didn't lot me see It.
she couldn't stqrve. ! noticed that Mrs. Hem
derson's eyes glittered as she said she was go
Ing away that Pisht asked as her I she was
but was sure she would feel better soon. Then
bade her good night and left the room"
after Mrs Pelien left the room. cut her wrists. %
els had been tossed upon, the floor it was evil
dent that Mrs. Henderson, purpose had weak
sIied ened at the sight Of bood, s, and that she
bandsge around her wrist There was a.wash-
basin Of blood and water on small wash
slight wound. as though she had tried to cut
her throat with the razor.
womans ans mind She % pulled % tho e bureau tn to the the
and then showed a chair up to the bureau SO
sary in order that she might reach the opening
to climb out on the roof. The opening WAS five
square While the cens soped from from the T9 sids sHfs
Of the room nearly to the floor, The hole
derson s body. There were spias6es Of blood
Henderson had touched her hands as she
souttle the woman had to roll on the sloping |
roof but a few feet to the caves and fall four |
stories to the sidewalk. Her skull was
smashed.
The wardrobe left by Mrs. Henderson con-
TRere was % nothing I In her Doc 'ebrSey bnt
few copies Of verses clipped from newspapers.
Mrs. Henderson's father is said to have been |
q wel-to-d do grain merchant in Hartford The |
body was sent to the. Morgue., MIR. Anderson OF |
is said to be relative OF Mr.. Henderson. was
:, MI; 81 Chas. 2; Kellogg the general secretary of
ter which was found in Mrs Henderson's room.
II is our duty and our pleasure in this So
ciety TO help the deserving poor If We learn
OF woman Of refinement and education and
%n9 SaSs s u To asss sSshste hsI
this case was that Mrs Henderson did not
know where to apply for help, not charity
sought, employment in this city for ten hours ours
the Young ,Women's Christian Association. II
our attention had been drawn to her case. we
would have probably sent her to some
ge could have found something for her to do.
One OF the objects OF this society is TO procure
wholly or partly supporting themselves. 1t Is
not fact that one who has been born and
better off in this city than one who has been
Used to refined and even luxurious surround
nRs and who has unfortunately become desti-
ute. Take a case In point: About six years
ago an old lady came to this society for assist
lnce to procure her more iemuneraiive work
han she had been doing. Her mother was 80
ears old she WAS SO. and her sister was CO.
Ives by two brothers. The brothers died within
! short time Of each other. and the three old
adies were left almost destitute They went to
york making neckties and macram6 lace. but
hey gradually sold all their furniture
o get enough to live on. Our society In
'estiGated the case, and then six OF our
PATRONS were, quietly told ,abont It. They
hat they could live In comfort for the rest OF
heir lives They work continually making
title fancy articles and earn some money in
hat way. The rest is made up by the six pa
rons who subscribed to the pension No out
Ider knows anything about It. and the old
numbers Of such cases. Let the genteel
'oor apply at the proper place for help and 1t
viii not be denied them. This poor woman |