The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-23
VERDICT OF JURY
AT CoroneTs inquest Over
Body Of
MISS BELLE SLAVEN
Death Was Accidental--Little
Doubt 1t Was Intentional.

The coroners jury yesterday In the case
of Miss Belle S:aven, vino was found dead
In the Bank Of Commerce, found verdict
Of death by accident
A number Of witnesses were examined and
all the circumstances taken into consider
alton. Mr.. Gill, the undertaken who had
the body in charge says he thinks there
Is little doubt that Miss Slaven commit
ted suicide. He thinks the nature Of the
wound goes to establish this theory.
Mr.. C. V. Ferguson, for whom Miss
Slaven worked as stenOgrapher. says ne
thinks it was an accident. He doesn't
believe that she would kill herself from
what he knew of her disposition while
she was an MS employ.
It is known that when the subject of
suicide was mentioned or suicide was the
topic of conversation in her presence, she
was unusually attentive A few weeks
ago. when Mrs. Hastings was here from
kansas City telling of the suicide of her
son, Miss Slaven was very much interest
ed. The revolver she had was purchased
from Mr.. A. D. Blanchard, whose gun
store is near the bank. She got box of
shells and had the bullets drawn from
all but two. These two were put into the
gun, though she speaks of having great
fear from loaded shells in her letter 10
her friend Miss Lane, at Kansas City,
No.
She probably killed herself about $50.
Hunter Williams, II. c. Lockwood and
3ir. Dewey, whose office Is above the
bank, all heard the shot about that time
though il was somewhat mufTied and duh
and appeared to be in some other part
OF the city.
The funeral will occur at O'Clock this
afternoon from the residence.
Miss Slaven is gone, and only the most
meager speculation can be brought 10
bear TO account for her untimeiy end.
In the morning she left her home with no
indication of what the sunset hours would
record for her-tne sudden and tragic end
ing Of a life that promised much. She
had friends, and they are steadfastly loyal
10 her memory, and this memory is coli
ored with the mellow and tender tints
None Of her most intimate friends in this
city WEI be convinced that she was not
the victim OF circumstances, a highly SEN
sitive disposition which brooded over the
things of life and was all too prone to
Imagine her well meant efforts a failure
and her life fruitiess of the results of
which she had fondly dreamed Over her
tnsensate form on Thursday morning bent
those workers of the night, the police pa
trol. and those WHO were huriedly sum-
moned by the ominous warning that
something was wrong. They gazed in
silence over the wreck of a promising
life. and not one but within himself felt
that a bright light had suddenly been ex-
finguished and a tale of sadness and trag-
edy would be forever shrouded in the
gloom Of mystery and the silence of the
lasting sleep. Just why she chose to thus
too soon c.Ose her work upon earth no
one can tell, and who will dare to say?
Retcent, exclusive, taciturn. she passed
her daily life bent on doing the best she
could. and no one vino knew her best but
say she well accomplished her task. Faith
ful and willing, accommodating and
thoughtful, she performed those ready
tasks at hand which were expected of
her, and she did them well as evidenced
by all who had been her friends and as
sociates. Some great heart secret Of
winch the sordid world could never know.
and which even friends and relatives
would little appreciate or sympathize WITH
perhaps suggested the act which. in the
hours of the night, was carried out. ont
from the foul and Borrowing air Of a
world Of uncertainty and disappointment
and despair, her pure soul was suddenly
waited; out Srom the CLOUD over her life;
out from the doubt and the querulous; out
and away into the spaees between Here
and There, whore are found those untriad
paths which all must walk alone and win
such BITTERNESS as = known only to the All
Hail. who sees these pitcoUs things on
earth and orders in what fashion distorted
lives may be made SWEEP and wholesome
again in the places OF reimbursement.
She carefully planned her act and no
one knows just now or when she d.d il.
and Il matters little now. Those who aye
left beSlind mourn and wonder and Vet pa
shadow hangs over her life. which WIS
one of humble and CONSCIENTIOUS effort
faithful service and willing acts OF friend
illness and duty. out to her memory goes
the frank and generous tribute. the tender
memory and sympathy Of frier,ls.
4 THOUSAND TONGUES
Could not express the rapture d Annie
i. Springer, OF ll25 Howard street. Phila-
deiphia. Pa, when she found thar pr
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had completely cured her Of a '.ac.,.r.,
cough that had FOR years ia,de
life a burden. All other remedies
and doctors could give her M
help. but she says Of this Roval
cure: 1T soon renewed the pain in ,n-
crest and cal roX sleep sodndlv some
thing / can scarcely remember doing he
lore. l feel like sounding lis praises
throughout the universe" 50 will @ .--,.
one who tries DR.. Kings New Discovery
Tor any trouble Of the Throat. Chest az.
Lungs. Price soc and $lo0. Trial bottles
Tree at G. behring's drug store; every
bottle guaranteed.
MUSIC AND DRAMA
The SPooner Dramatic con7anv ,-,vsg,
a. Greenwalrs las: night r~oSsr,.t,,,- .