The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-06-28
| THE SAD STORY
OF MRS. ARNOLD.
Liquor Has Been the Ruin of Her
Once Happy Home,
DRIVEN TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE.
The Conduct Of Her Husband, Now an
Inmate Of the City Jail. Has To-
tally Wrecked Her Life.
Her Story.
DRIVEN TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE.

A husband more devoted to Bac&us
than to his wife and child, and behind
prison bars for their protection; home
once happy. but now a scene Of desperate
poverty and distress; bitter feeling OF
humiliation at the indignlties inflicted by
the man who had sworn 10 protect her:
hopelessness in the unequal struggle for
existence; an pleasant memories lying far
I'm the past: a gloomy present. and stiil
darker future looming up. broken I'm
health, heart and spirit; a terrible feeling
OF loneliness in the great world. and des-
pair OF any change for the better in the
conditions such was the burden Of sor-
row which overwhelmed Mrs. NJ r..
Arnold whose attempt TO commit suicide
was noted in The Times Yesterday. She
was stil suffering from the after-effects
Of the drug when I saw her yesterday.
SUICIDAL MANIA.
There IS little doubt that her troubles
somewhat affected Mrs. Arnolds mind
Her father died some years ago insane
from the effect ~ a sunstr0ke received be-
fore her birth. and a sister made two or
three attempts on her own life. This
would indicate a suicidal mania in the
family.
When seen yesterday Mrs Arnold was
working slowly on a child's garment
and apOlOgized for some litter on the
floor made by two playful kittens The
little daughter a child of about ten years
did not seem 10 realize the terrible nature
of her mothers deed.
Mrs. Arnold says she was born IN Han
over county and lived there until about
twelve years ago. when she married Her
former name was Martin. and her father
was a farmer BOO comfortable circum-
stances. Her husband was az the time
Of their marriage. holding a position at
the Tredegar Works and made sufficient
money 20 keep his wife and little girl in
comfort. Everything went along very
Well FOR four or i've years. Arnold had
been in the habit ~ drinking on saturday
night but FOR a long time was always at
] work on Monday The habit gradually
took st0nger hold. however. and he lost
! his position. Another was given him by
/ his brother 100 a cabnet-maNng establish
/ ment uptown. This DE has held for some
/ time past.
BAD TO WORSE.
/ Mrs. Arnold says they had a pleasant
/ home VOL furnished. and her husband
/ gave her money for various purposes. As
! the drinking habit became more fixed his
/ whole course changed and DE was often
very abusive he stopped giving
her money and later would sometimes
| collect money which she had earned and
] spend b. Then he made a practice of COM
| ing home drunk and breaking up the
| furniture. He stopped this and began 90
sell or pawn the furniture and beat his
/ wife. All this time he was not contrib
/ utlng to the support of his family. his
/ little girls Mia affection WAS changed 90
mortal fear and she tried 10 hide when
ever he came home one day last week
Arnold beat bis wife terribly and She
/ deeming forbearance no longer a virtue
I appealed t0 the police for protection Ar
mold N.nt before Justice John and IN de-
! fault of peace bond was sent TO ial for
twelve months a few days ago Doe sent a
message to his wife by a discharged pris-
0ner begging her % get him out of JAIL
but She naturally is not anxious FOR him
20 be at large
HER STRUGGLES.
Mrs. Arnold said she tried 10 support
herself and little girl by sewing and wash
ing Her strength would NOT admit the
latter. She then tried working in q che
root factory. but was made ili by the
0d0r of tobacco. and besides. she says
She did not know what company her child
was 'n during her absence Recently her
efforts 20 secure work had been limited
10 sewing. but her health has not been
good and The income from that source
was irregular The terrible struggle for
existence and the gloomy prospect for the
future together with her Rad health, Mrs.
Arnold says. so wrought on her that
hardly rcaliNng what She was doing she
secured i've cents worth of laudanum
and took d. She then feil asleep and
doesn't remember anything else uri
awakened by the heroic methods which
Dr. Cunningham. 0f the CITY Hospital
Ambulance Corps. found necessary 20 re-
viye her.
THE DISCOVERY.
Mrs Arn0lis little girl went our with
q friend Monday night She discovered
her mothers condition when she return
ed and summoned help
Several persons called ar the house yes
terlay one being Bishop Penick, rector
of g. Marks Episcopal church.
When asked what she thought would
have become Of the little girl IL she had
succeeded. Mrs. Arnold said she thought
perhaps some one would take care Of her
Mrs Arnold held membership in Mar
shall-Street Christian church. bur says
she rarely went 10 services anywhere
OF late years.