The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-29
LADYSTENOGRAPHER
 COMMITS SUICIDE
DiscONSoLATE OVER MISPLACED AFFECTION MISS EMMA c. BLAIR ENDS LIFE IN BRoWN-MARx BUILDING WITH OxALIC ACID.

Disconsolate over a misplaced affection, Miss Emma c. Blair committed suicide yesterday afternoon in her office on the third floor Of the Brown-Marx building, using oxaiic acid. The deed was pre- meditated, Miss Blair having planned it carefully. She was widely known in Birmingham, having resided here for n number of years, coming originally from Lauderdale county She had operated a public stenographic bureau in the Brown Marx building for some tune, formerly having had offices in the various hotels here. Her partner in business was J. B. Burkett.
 Miss Blair yesterday morning told the people with whom she boarded that she vas going to kill herself. She also tele- phoned a number of her other acquaint- ances, telling them the same thing.
 l.. F. Hill of Ensley, editor of the Ems icy Enterprise, was in the office d;otating some letters to Miss Blair yesterday morn- ing. She became much disturbed, telling MT. Hill that she was going to kill her self. He tried to reason with her, but to no avail, and left the office shortly after wards He telephoned the Rev. Dr. l.. $. Handley, pastor of the Central Presby- terian church, and who had always ,ap- Ieared to have much irfilensc with Miss Blair, and asked bin, 10 visit Miss Blair and sec if he could not persuade her to change her mind
 Dr. Handley agreed to meet him at certain place, which he dld, and tue two men proceeded to Miss Blair g office. When they reached there they fouad her in an excited condtion but did not re- alze that she had taken the drug. She made an attempt to get a glass If water, but Mir. Hill prevented her. After :. few moments she became quie.er, and Mr.. Hill stepped out of the office for moment. When he returned he found her very pale, and upon questioning her she admitted that she had taken poison.
 A half dozen physicians in the building were immediately summoned, while per sons in the offices on the same floor en- deavored to save her life. A stomach pump to save her life but the oxalic acid had already burned it's course ana she was in a dying condition before the physicians arrived. She died few moments afterwards, the time being about O'clock
 It appears Miss Blair had written to her nieee Miss Lille Blair, on Wednesday, telling of her intention to commit suicide. Miss Lillie Blair had turned this letter over to her uncle, B. F. Williams of Lauderdale county. who immediately hastened to Birmingham in an effort to prevent the rash act. He arrived at the cffice while the physicians were working upon Miss Blair.
 Police headquarters had been notified of Miss Blair's declaration and City Detec- tive Tom. Williams was assigned to the case, arriving there shortly after it had been discovered that she had taken the oxalic acid.
 Miss Blair left letter to MT. Burkett. and also a note asking him to see to her burial.
 Coroner Paris was notified immediately after death ensued and went to the scene. After carefully Investigating Bur kett and several others he declared it Q pure case of suicide.
 Miss Blair was an orphan, having been reared in Lauderdale county by her grand mother and uncle, B. F. Williams. She gradually grew tired of country life and came to Birmingham, stopping here with friends and securing employment as stenographer.
 News of her suicide spread rapidly and the Brown-Marx building and the streets surrounding 1t were soon filled with a curious crowd None but physicians and those directly interested were allowed to enter her office, however