Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-03
Suicide of Alice Peu, Aged Six
teen Years, After Being
Chastised by Her
DIED AT HER SISTERS HOME
Had Donned Halloween Garb
and Gone There on Monday
Night, After Swallowing
Poison = Had Been
Refused Permis-
sion to Marry.

Alice Peo, aged 16 years, daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Peo of No. 20o
Market street, died Tuesday morning at
the home of her brother-in- law, Sylves-
ter Defalco, No. 702 Spruce street, of
poison taken with suicidal intent
The daughter has caused contention
between the father and mother for some
time. The girl lived at the home of
her parents and she was waited upon
by Christopher Dallas for some time
past. About three months ago the
young man asked her father for her
hand in marriage, but the father re-
fused to give his consent ON the grounds
that the girl was too young, and,
further, that she was of much service
at her home, where she was needed.
The girl has met the young man out
side since he was refused by the father
and has threatened on several occasions
to run away from home. The threat
was never carried out, as the man was
afraid that the father might pursue
them and cause trouble.
On Monday the daughter sought her
mother and stated that she wanted to
masquerade and attend party on the
eastern side of the city. The mother
objected, but the father acquiesced and
told the girl to go to the party. Shortly
before the daughter was ready to go to
the party trouble occurred between the
father and mother and she took the
part of the mother, an unusual course
for her to take in the quarrels between
her parents. The father became an
gered and struck her across the face,
according to his statement She then
went to the upper story Of the house
and took the dose Of poison, rough on
rats, which ended her existence.
Notwithstanding this fact, however,
she masked Monday evening after the
trouble and proceeded to the eastern
part of the city. She went to the home
Of her sister, Mrs. Sylvester Defalco,
about O'Clock, and complained of
severe pains in her stomach. She was
very i'll and DIR. I'll. M. Frist of Eighth
and Spruce streets was sent for and
learning that she had taken poison at
her hot water and mustard and other
emetics. AT first she refused, saying
she wanted to die, but finally took the
emetics and vomited freely. She after
wards took oils, and other drugs were
given to counteract the effect of the
poison which she had taken. At first,
when she refused to take tho medi-
cines, it was forced down her throat,
she then stating that she wanted to
live. DIR. Frist left her shortly before
II o'clock and thought that she was on
fair way to recover. Tuesday morning
he learned that she had died about j
O'Clock. Her parents were with her
during the night.
Rumors were rife about the city to
the effect that the girl had been abused
by her parents. The report reached
the ears of Chief of Police Dolan and
he at once sent out officers to look into
the matter and the father of the girl,
Samuel Peo, was summoned TO the
Office of Chief Dolan and questioned in
relation to the matter. The father ad-
mitted that he had struck his daughter
on the face with his hand, but said he
did nothing else. He also claimed that
the girl had become tired of the con-
tinued fights between himself and his
wife and had on several occasions
threatened to leave the place. Peo was
held until released by an order of
Deputy Coroner Chandler, who stated
that the girls body had been examined
by DR.. H. NJ. Frist and that there were
no signs to show that she had been as
saulted as had been reported.