The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-09-10
LEFT PARTY TO
TAKE HER LIFE
Girls Suicide Was Sad End
ing of Reunion in Parental
Home

helgnt OF the festivities incident to a
big family reunion dinner in progress
last evening at the home of William
5. Bransom, 1909 G street northeast,
Alta r. Bransom. the pretty 16-year
old daughter of the household left the
circle surrounding the family board.
Going to the second floor. she entered
the bathroom and committed suicide
by inhaling gas.
The body was found about nine
O'Clock by Mrs. Bransom, who went
upstairs to see why her daughter did
not come down and rejoin the other
members of the family. She was dead
the physicians of Casulty hospital say,
when placed in the ambulance and
hurried to that institution in the hope
that something might be done by arti-
ficial respiration to revive her. DIR.
Charles S. White. deputy coroner, is
sued certificate of suicide by as.
phyxiation.
The suicide brought to a shocking
end reunion of the children and
sons-in-law and daughters of Mr.. and
Mrs. Bransom. For weeks Mr.. and
Mrs. Bransom had made preparations
for the family gathering. Early yes
terday afternoon the reunion began.
Leaves Happy Gathering.
1t was nearly two hours later when
the last course was served. The gath
ering adjourned to the parlors, where
singing and the playing of games
We're indulged in. Shortly after din
ner Alta went upstairs. Her mother
called to her. receiving a response
from the young girl who said she was
in her room reading and would be
down in little while. The father
made several inquiries for the girl
and each time was told by Mrs. Bran
som that Alta was upstairs reading.
About $50 o'clock the vacant chair
of Alta was noticed by her father,
who impatiently asked for the girl
Mrs. Bransom started upstairs
Reaching the bathroom, Mrs. Bran
som smelled gas, and quickly located
it in the bathroom, the door of which
was locked. Going into Atlas room
across the hall, and not finding her
child there, she called and pounded
on the bathroom door, and getting no
response, the mother screamed and
fell fainting to the floor.
Finds Daughter LifeIesS.
The alarm given by Mrs. Bransom
attracted the attention of those on the
over floor, and Mr.. Bransom, accom-
panied by his title son. James, and
his son-in-law. Henry H. Fry, a po-
liceman. ran up the stairs. Police
man Fry forced open the door of the
bathroom, finding it filled with gas
and the girl crumpled up in a heap.
lifeless on the floor. She was picked
up by her father and carried to her
room. where there was an abundance
of fresh air.
Artificial respiration was resorted
to by Mr.. Bransom and Mr.. Fry. In
the meantime Casualty hospital was
called and the ambulance made
quick run to the house. returning to
the hospital at high speed. the two
doctors during the trip applying ar
tificial respiration to the girl. The
entire staff of the hospital worked for
more than an hour. but at no time did
the girl show any signs of life. 1t is
the belief of the physicians that she
was dead when taken from the bath
room.
The father and other members of
the family hurried to the hospital to
render any aid possible. When the
physicians announced that the girl
was dead. the sorrow of the father,
mother. sisters. brothers and friends
appealed to all
To reportre Mr.. Bransom said
that during the dinner Alta partici-
pated in the conversation. taking a
lively interest in all that wss said
frequently showing her pleasure by
laughter.
Had No Love Affair.
There is no motive" said Mr..
Brsnsom. that can assign why Alta
took her life. She had peculiar
temperament and the only reason
that l can assign for her act is that
in discussion with one of her sis
ters she became piqued at something
that was said as to her views regard
ing the wearing apparel of fashion
able women. No, she had no love
affair.
Occasionally she had company at
the house. Several young men whose
characters and families knew had
permission to call on her. but the sug-
gestion that she took her life on ac-
count of love affair is without basis
of fact. She was employed as a
stenographer in the Office Of friend
of the family"