The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-07-29
SWALLOWED cARBoLIc ACID.
And Died Young Girl Took it With
Suicidal Intent-Left Note.

\ AZ - & i =
| Suicidal Intent-Left a Note.
Vera Ridenour, a member of this
years eighth grade graduating
class at the Corvallis public schools
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Viii
! liam Ridenour, and a bright, at
tractive young girl of II, commit
ted suicide at her home in Big
Elk Monday afternoon. She swa1-
lowed a quantity of carbo1ic acid
at FIVE O'Clock and after three hours
of frighifu1 suffering, died at eight.
She left note in which she ex-
planned that she was tired Of living
and wanted to die. The universal
supposition among friends in this
city is that the unnatural deed was
committed while the young girl
was in fit Of dependency, in
which her gir1ish fancy magnifed
circumstances that she was dispos-
edit regard as unmixed evils. Mem
bers of the family in Big Elk dis
covered the facts after she had
swallowed the fatal dose, when it
was too late to save, and are pros
trated with grief over the terrible
tragedy.
All the last school year, Miss
lRidenour resided in Corvallis. She
lived at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Samuel King, in the north end of
town, where she assisted in the
housewoTk and attended school.
In school, she was bright, at
tentive student, and a general fav-
orite among her classmates. At
the King home, she was attentive
to her duties. and was much be-
loved by all the family
After she graduated from the
public school, she accepted a po-
sition in Chipman's restaurant.
There she was a favorite with her
employers and the public. She de-
sired to remain at the place, and
her employers were anxious to re-
tain her, but about the 18th of
June she was summoned home,
and within a day or two left for Big
Elk.
Before she left. Miss Ridenour
made it plain to her friends that
she did not wish to return to Big
Elk. She wept bitterly when the,
word was received for her to leave
the restaurant. She told Mrs
,Chipman that it was lonely over
there among the mountains, and
that she did not>wish to go back,
She also said that as soon as she
was IS, she would return to the
restaurant and resume her duties
The day before she left for home
the young girl and her sister vis-.
tied Mrs. King, and there repeated
in substance the things she had
said to Mrs. Chapman about going
back to her Big Blk home. She
said she liked life in town better
than in the remote settlements, and
that she was grieved at the thought
of going away from Corvallis where
she had many friends to meet and
greet. This unwi1lingness to re.
turn to her rural surroundings is
ascribed by those familiar with the
facts irresponsible for Miss Riden-
ours unnatural and melancholy
fate. She has brooded,. as girlishi
minds will, these friends say over
her lot. and in a fit of unusual
melancholy swallowed the poison
that swept her young life out of.the.
world. p
The funeral is to occur at the
family home in Big Elk today.
The bereayed father is William
Ridenour, who once lacked but
single vote of being sheriff of Ben
ton county. His successful oppon-
ent was Joel Palmer. Sisters of
the deceased are, Mrs. u. G. Ber-
ry1and Mrs, Lamar of Peoria, Mrs.
Young of Corvallis. and younger
sister at home A brother is en-.
gagged in business In Portland, and
another brother resides in Big Elk.
The parents are wellknown in Cor
wallis, and many friends here feel
a deep sympathy for them. In the
horror with which young girls
contemplate the terrible fate of this
young girl and the, awful grief of
her stricken parents, there is al
warning to look atthe bright side
of life rather than to NOPE over an
unreal aud over painted darker
picture. 3 |