Arizona republican., 1909-02-23
DEATH WAS SOUGHT
 BY MRS. ATHERTON
Funeral Will Be Held at 10 O'Clock This Morning at Merryman's Par Tors.

S. T. Atherton arrived here yes l terday morning from Clifton, accom- panied by his three-year daugh- ter. and the body of his wife, whose death on Friday night has already been announced. The announcement that death was accidental was erron- eous, though it was in conformity with a telegram sent by Mir. Atherton to Mrs. Atherton's mother, whom he did not wish to apprise that the incl dent was suicide until he could reach here and tell her all the facts.
 Mrs. Atherton shot herself with a 3S calibre revolver, undoubtedly dur ing a momentary attack of insanity due to frequent and severe headaches of which she had suffered. No other reason has been discovered for her act and so far as Mir Atherton knows she had never threatened such a step nor had she ever disclosed any par -ticular unhappiness that might be ex- pected to cause her to harbor such thoughts. She had said that she did not like to live in Clifton but circum- stances did not warrant their moving for a time, and other than that MT. Atherton says that if she had any particular unhappiness he was not aware of it.
 The circumstances of the deed were most tragic and left no doubt as to the facts of the deed itself Miss Etta Morrell, well known in Phoenix and a cousin of Mrs. Atherton, was living with the family in Clifton. MT. Atherton, who is employed at the smelter, works from to II pm. Mrs. Atherton had been suffering on Fri day with one of the nervous head aches above referred to, and as was her custom, after the, monday meal she laid down on the bed for a time to rest. Shortly before going to work MT Atherton told her that he would go and get a headache remedy if she wanted it but she said she felt better and 1t would not be necessary.
 A little after o'clock in the even ing Mrs. Atherton came out of the bedroom, having in her hand the re- volver which she had taken from till in a trunk in the bedroom. Speaking to her cousin, she said, "Etta be good to Frances" meaning her little daughter Miss Morrell divin-
 
 hand with the weapon in 1t and man. aged to disarm her. Mrs. Atherton being a much larger and stronger woman, immediately grabbed her cou- sin and after a little scuffle man. aged to secure the revolver again and rushing out on the back porch fired a single but a fatal shot. The bullet passed through the head from a point behind the right temple emerg- ing almost exactly opposite The weapon could not have been held close, as there were no powder burns. Mrs. Atherton fell and became in stantly unconscious. never rallying though she did not die until about 10 o'clock that night.
 MT. Atherton, who was at the smell ter, was notified immediately that a woman had been shot at his home, though he did not know who until he arrived there. The revolver he said is one he bought two or three years ago for the protection of his wife, who was sometimes left alone, and he had taught her something about how to use it. Had he ever dreamed of her harboring a thought of suicide he would have taken it away from the house. He thinks now that it was a sudden insane impulse due to the severity of her headaches.
 The inquest was held Saturday af- ternOon and he left Clifton Sunday morning, without learning the verdict of the jury. The funeral will be held this morning at 10 o'clock in the un- dertaking parlors of G. F. Merryman. A religious service will be conducted by Rev. Thompson of Tempe, and the interment will be under the aus pieces of Arizona Rebekah lodge, she having been a member of Clifton Re bekah lodge. The Rebekahs will meet in their lodge room at o'clock this morning to arrange for the funeral
 Mrs. Atherton was 25 years old and was born and raised in Illinois. She came to Phoenix about six years ago and was married about four years ago.
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