The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-09-07
TIRED OF LIFE.
Miss Emma Burke Ends Life in
the Minnesota.
Driven TO Point of Insanity by Poor
HesI,h and an Importuoate Lover.
She Commits Suicide
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Something of sensation was caused
Wednesday by the report that Miss
Emma Burk, a domestic, employed at
the home of DR.. ]. w. Andrews, had
disappeared, and had left a note to the
effect that they would find her in the
river. Search was instituted for the
unfortunate girl that morning, and
shortly before dinner her hat and par
asol were found on the North Mankato
side of the Minnesota river, short
distance above the bridge and nearly OPP
posite the Omaha freight depot. Work
was at once instituted to drag the
river for her body and the search was
successful as it was found between one
and two o'clock only few feet from
where she must have entered the
river, in about four feet of water.
The body was removed from the river
and taken to the undertaking rooms of
John Klien q Co.
To a representative of the Free
Press DR.. j. W. Andrews gave some
of the reasons so far as are known
which drove Miss Burk to the desper-
ate act She had been employed at his
home as a domestic at different times
for the past four years. She was an
exceptionally fine girl in the house,
prompt and neat in her work, and
most accommodating in everything.
A year or two ago she had fit of ILL
ness and went home and since then
her health had not been as good as
previously. Added to this she was
worried about her mother, whose
health is poor. Besides these matters
she was worried nearly to death over
love affair, the young man in the
case, being Jack Segers, whose state
ment will be found below.
Miss Burk had frequently said Of
late that she did not care to live
longer, and some two or three weeks
ago told the other girls at the doctor S
house that she was going to throw her
self in the river and end all. She
started for the river, but they followed
her and brought her back.
This time she was more quiet about
it and did not say anything as to her
intentions. She left DR.. Andrews
residence at Z 80 last evening saying
that she was going home to see her
mother, and went directly there. She
had been crying some during the eve
ming, but no one suspected that she
had in mind such rash act. While
at her home, however, she told her
mother that she did not want to live
any longer About 80 she started to
return to the doctors house and that
was the last seen of her alive.
Left Note.
On the table in her room Miss Burk
left note. This was noticed by he
roommate last evening, but she paid
no attention to it, supposing it to be
letter she had written, but this
morning when it was found that she
had not returned, the note was looked
at, and found to be as follows:
Dear Mother, Sisters and Brothers
Don't feel bad about what will hap
pen. learned that Jack don't love
me any more and my heart is break
ing. l can't stay here no longer. I
thank Jack for all the trouble I was to
him. 1 wish him long, happy life,
and [ beg of you to cause him no
trouble, whatever, for my sake. Fare
well to all. Look for me by the river.
This caused the search to be made
this forenoon, which resulted in find
ing her body in the river as above
stated. Miss Burk was "a years of age
and was we'll liked by those who knew
her. Mrs. Andrews, when seen this
afternoon, spoke very highly of her,
and was completely broken up over
the sad affair.
Great credit is due to the janitor of
the city hall Geo. May and Policeman
Olmstead for the vigorous manner in
which they prosecuted the search for
Miss Burk's body, and to them is due
the credit for its prompt recovery.
Segers interviewed.
A Free Press representative called on
Jack Segers who is buss driver for
the City Hotel
'tMr. Segers," asked the reporter,
"do you know Miss Emma Burk2"
81 do. 4"
"How long have you known herr"
about two years. -
"How long have you been going
with herr" about two years ago I
commenced.
when did you quit going with
herr" "About five weeks ago..
What did you say when you part
ed?" she said, Jack if you don't
like my company we will quit right
here. 1 wish you success and happi-
ness. We shook hands and parted. .
Ibid you ever make any improper
proposals to her?'' "No sir, I never
did. She is lady in every respect,
and l always respected her as such. /"
When did you see her AGAIN."
Last Wednesday evening at seven
o. clock at the corner of Plum and
Front streets. She said, Good eve
ming, Jack, do you want to go to my
room2' I said No, will see you
later.
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