The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-06-11
KNOWN IN OSKALOOSA
Keokuk Tragedy of Interest to
Friends Here.


of Keokuk, as chronicled in a dispatch
to the Herald last evening, was a sad
message to a number of Oskaloosa
people. The deceased is third cous-
in of Sumner and Harry Hayes, of this
city, and sister to DR.. Ada M French
who was formerly located here, but
is now in practice at tella. Another
sister is Mrs. Lillian Payne, wife Oh
DR.. Payne, of Pella- The Paynes for
merly lived at Leighton and were we'll
known in Oskaloosa and in the north
western part of Mahaska county Tue
Keokuk Gate City gives the following
particulars of the sad affair:
Miss French used revolver, sho L
ing herself three times, twice in the
side in an effort to reach the heart
and the final shot in the left temple.
THE act was premeditated for she
had left two notes, one being found
in her room and stating that she could
not stand another week of her pres
ent condition, asking that God would
forgive her and telling where to find
a second note in the vault of the
Ayers store, where she was employ
ed as a bookkeeper.
Went to Sunday School.
"On Sunday morning, Miss rren,
went to the Congregational Sabbath
school and performed her duties as
assistant in teaching the primary
class. She went home after Sabbath
school, not remaining to church with
the other members of the family.
when she arrived at home, there
was no one there but Miss Curtis,
who rooms there. Miss Curtis asked
her to accompany her to church, but
she refused Miss Curtis then went
to church alone, leaving Miss French
in the house.
"She is supposed to have then closed
the doors and windows, gone to her
room, written the note and shot her
self twice in the side while lying on
the bed.
After church was out, her sister,
Miss Florence French returned home,
the parents remaining for business
meeting at the church. Miss Florence
found all of the windows of the house
closed and after opening them, went
to her sisters room. She found ner
lying on the bed and asked her how
she was feeling. .s..
Two Shots in Side.
"The girl on the bed, with two
wounds in her side, replied that she
was feeling all right and asked to be
let alone. Her sister thought that she
had tainted and hurried down stairs
to get water. While she was gone,
she heard the report of the revolver
and rushing back to the room, found
the girl dying, blood streaming from
wound in the left temple.
"A physician was summoned DR..
Dorsey was hurrying down Sixth
street in answer to the call and met
Mr.. and ! RS. French standing on the
corner of Morgan street talking with
friends. He greeted them and stated
that he had call from their house,
asking if anyone was sick. They I'D
not know of the tragedy and hurried
home with the doctor.
A Mental Strain.
There was no reason for the girl
ending her existence, for she was in
no trouble of any character and had
no earthly worries. The home life
was a happy one and the explanation
- of ~. to hat hnp nhUCiC1l
and mental condition caused her
to do the deed which has caused such
profound sorrow in the city.
For the past seven months she had
been one of the bookkeepers at L. k
]. .Ayres & Sons and was most COM
petent accountant. She did not com
plain of her work and seemed salts
fled with the position. For the past
month, she had complained some OF
feeling badly but was not supposed
to be in the physical condition she
must have been in. The note which
she had deposited in the vault at the
store, bears out the opinion that mel
mental condition was impaired.
s. Was Loved by All.
Miss Helen French was born Janu
airy 81, 1886, at Harlan, Iowa, where
her parents were living at that time
They came to Keokuk first in 1873 ant
removed to Harlan in 1882, returning
to Keokuk in the spring of 1887 ant
living her. ever since. Therefore thu
deceased had spent practically all o
her life in keokuk, where she wa
loved by all who knew her.
"She was beautiful girl, pure mind
ed and sweet, attracting friends b.
her gentle disposition and Lowell.
character. She graduated from tn
high school with the class of 1905 ant
j eYnacted to go AWAY to school thi