Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-18
PREFERS SUICIDE
TO DETENTION
DEATH DEFEATS EFFORTS OF
PASADENA OFFICERS
Mary E. ReddIok, stenogrspher, About
TO Be Committed on Insanity
Charge, Drinks csrbolie
Acid and Dies
Pasadena Agency.
i6h East Colorado Street.
Telephone Main 752


PASADENA. Aug. 17.-In the belief
that the officers of the law had come
to take her to the asylum, Miss Mary
r. Reddick committed suicide this
afternoon in her rooms at 2S0 Grant
street, this city.
Before she could be prevented she
drank the contents of a two-ounce
bottle Of carboic acid, and although
medical assistance was at once sum
noned and everything possible done
for her relief. the unfortunate woman
died about two and. half hours after
she took the poison
Miss Reddick was a stenographer
and came to Pasadena originally from
Dorchester, Mass, where her relatives
still reside.
It is understood that at various
times she has served as stenographer
for General wentworth and ex-Gov-
ernor H. II. Markham, and that she
made many friends about the city.
But she was in poor health, this being
her primary reason for coming to
Southern California, and she did not
remain employed continuously for this
reason.
About three months ago she rented
room at $50 Grant street.
Acted oueerly
For some time past the inmates Of
queerly and a few days ago she be-
came violent, threatening to commit
suicide and at the same time to kill
those in the house with her. There ap-
peared to be no reason for these vaga-
ries and threats, and her associates
concluded that worry over her i'll
health was driving her insane.
A consultation was held, and, the
young woman failing in any manner
to improve, it was decided to ask her
commitment, or at least her examina-
tion, as insane.
Eaton T. Sans, secretary of the
local Y. M. c. A., therefore called on
Justice H. H. Klamroth this forenoon
explained the situation. and warrant
was issued for her arrest the intention
being to convey her to the county hos
pital at once, where she could be ex-
amined as to her condition mentally
Constable Austin and his deputy,
oscar Kunzman. were given the war;
rant for service and went to the house
on Grant street at about p. n They
were Immediately shown to the young
wonan's room and, securing admit
tance, found her lying on the bed
Constable Austin noticed the smell of
carbolic acid in the room, and quickly
surmising what had happened, rushed
to the woman's side.
He lifted her head, and, looking at
her face, saw that the lips were ter
ribly burned. as was part of the face
She was unconscious
Too Late for Help
Help was Immediately called for, DR..
A. d. S. Mccoy arriving in a few min
utes, everything possible being done
to save the woman's life. But little
could be done and she died without
becoming more than partially con-
scious.
It seems likely that the unfortunate
woman had been expecting some such
effort to remove her to the asylum, and
noticing the arrival of the officers, in
an agony of apprehension determined
to thwart their plans.
The presence of the carbolic acid in
the room indicates that she had been
prepared for the attempt on her own
life
The body has been removed to the
undertaking rooms Of Ives & Warren,
awaiting the action of Coroner Trout,
who has been notified but who has not
yet been able to fix the time of in
quest.
Word has also been sent to M. G.
Jewell, Dorchester, Mass, a relative of
Miss Reddick, she having no relatives
or very near friends in this city. The
disposition of the body will await word
from the east.
Neither General Wentworth nor ex-
Governor Markham, In whose employ
a time. can be reached. both being
out of the city.
There seems to be no reason for
supposing that any other cause than
that of i'll health can be assigned for
her rash act.