The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-09-29
A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
Miss Bonnie Otto, of BeaConsfield,
Takes Her Life on what was to
Been Her Wedding Day.

DCEH ICF WCuulng Ddy.
One of the saddest tragedies that
ever occurred in Beaconsfeld or COM
munity took place Wednesday night,
September 21, 1910, when Bonnie
Otto took her own life.
She had spent the day at home
and with friends and seemed to be
one of the merriest of the crowd that
was celebrating the 1. o. o. F. pic
mic, which was being held in Bea-
consfield that day.
At both the afternoon and even
ing entertainments she helped with
the music. After the evening enter
tainment she spent some time with
her friends and then started for
nome. But instead of going to the
house it is supposed she went at
once to- the barn, where with a re-
volver, which she had borrowed, she
ended her life.
Her parents becoming uneasy
about her, wondering why she did
not come home, they began to look
for her. They went to some of the
neighbors thinking that maybe she
was there with friends. Inquiry
and search failed to find her until
her father went to the barn and was
Mortified to find his daughter lying
cold in death. A scream of anguish
brought the mother, and when she
saw her daughters lifeless form her
screams soon aroused neighbors who
came in haste to the scene.
The coroner was summoned and the
coroner's jury returned verdict
that death was caused by gun shot
wound inflicted by herself.
The examination of her body
brought to light two letters which
she had evidently carried with her
all day.
One was to her father and mother
the other was to Harry Devour.
This was the greatest shock the
community has ever felt, and re-
moved one who was loved by all.
Following are the letters:
September 21st.
Dear mamma and papa-Good
bye, dear folks. l am going to leave
you. l am tired of living and |
would rather be dead than to live
without Harry
Don't mourn for me. You have
always. been good to me; lots bet
ter than deserved. Goodbye.
Bonnie.
Please give this letter to Harry.
1t is just last goodbye.
September 21st.
Dear sweet darling.-I wonder
what you will be doing when you
get this. l am writing you these
few lines to bid you a last goodbye.
would dearly love to have some
more of your sweet kisses, but it is
not to be that way. When you read
this l will be here no more, for |
can't live without you, my darling
and we can't get married. Do you
know wat day this is? + was to be
with you today as your wife and |
am not. If l can't have you for my
own dear husband, don't want to
live. l miss you as the roses miss
the rain.
Darling, do you remember the good
times we have had together. l can
some one some day more worthy of
you than / am, and make a better
home for you, and make you hap
pier, but remember, darling, no one
will love you better than 1 do, if you
do think l don't love you. 1 want
you to go and have a good time and
be a good boy, and when you get
married be good, true husband.
Darling love you so. | would
ten times rather be dead than live
without you. l think of you all day
long and at night l lie awake long
after everyone is asleep and cry and
think about you and when I do go to
sleep l dream of you all night, and
in the morning I would rather be
dead than get up. Darling, l love
you and have not one single thing
against you. You have always
treated me right. The girl that gets
you will get a mighty good husband.
l know you think l am foolish, but
darling it is better than the life ]
would have to live without you.
Now, dear sweet heart, will bid
you a last goodbye, hoping and
wishing you long, happy and pros
porous life, with as good little
wife as you deserve. l would like
so well to have had some more of
your sweet kisses, but as can't
/ will have to do without.
Bye-bye my dearest sweet heart
Be a good boy.
From one who loves you better
than any one else.
Bonnie Otto.
Bryan Will Be Here Sure.
h1