The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-08-19
TAKES POISON
AND ENDS LIFE
Mrs. Myrtle Reed Mccullough,
Noted Novelist, Dead in
Chicago Home.
BLAMES HUSBAND IN
NOTE LEFT TO SERVANT
Friends Surprised at Refer
ence, Her Married Life Be-
ing Considered Happy.

CHICAGO, Aug. 1s.-Mrs. Myrtle
Reed Mccullough, author of 'tLaven-
der and Old Lace Love Letters Of q
Musician" Glove Affairs OF Lit.
erary Man, and many other books,
WIS found dead at her home last night
death was caused by an overdose of
sleeping powders taken with suicidal
intent.
Mrs. Mccullough body was found
by Miss Annie Larson, her maid, to
whom she left q note md check for
$1,000. Mrs. Mccullough was 81 years
old. and was born in Chicago.
That death was intentional was in
dicated by the following note which
the writer left on her maid dresser:
Leaves Maid $1,000.
"Dear Annie-I am leaving you a
check for $1,000 for your true and
faithful service during four years. II
my husband had been as good and kind
to me and as considerate as you, !
would not be going where | am now
"MRS. NJ M'CULLOUGH."
Inclosed in the note was check for
Annie Larsen, the maid, had gone out
and found the note in her room when
she returned at $50, She rushed into
Mrs. Mccullough s room and found her
dead.
The reference to her husband in the
pote was n surprise to friends OF Mrs.
Mccullough "Paradise Flat as her
home is known, long had been favor
itc gathering place for select circle
of fhe writer's acouaintances. Sho
gave many unique entertainments.
isN6oGo1 C0nfpuf
Among these was a model husband
contest, which took place last year,
Each woman CUES. '' entered' her hus-
band for the hopes of beng designated
the Finest husband in the world. -
The nen paraded, sewed buttons and
deported themselves at their best, and
their wives extolled their virtues in
writing essays. On that occasion,
largely through the eloquent praises
OF his wife. Mr.. Mccullough received
first prize as the "model husband.
Mrs Mccullough undressed and re-
tired in her usual manner before tax.
Ing the fatal dose. The maid aroused
the neighbors and called two physicians.
but the police were not Informed of
the death until three hours after it
occurred. The family physician, DIR.
Newton D. Lee. said.
"Mrs. Mccullough had been trou
bled with insomnia for some time and
! understand that she had been using
sleeping powders. She died from an
overdose of some drug and probably 1t
was the one she had been using to In"
duce slumber.'
There was a pretty romance connect
ed with her marriage TO Mr.. McCul-
lougb, romance that some said was
cleverly described in her story, "a
Spinner in the Sum- published about
the time of her marriage IN 1906.
Edited School Paper.
Miss Reed-as then she was-was in
her girlhood days one of the editors
of "The Voice" published by the pu-
pills at the West Division high school.
James Sidney Mccullough was editor
of college paper in Toronto. Canada.
The Voice was on his exchange list.
He admired the writings of Miss Reed
and CORES spondence that continued
for q number Of years was opened.
In 1906 Miss Reed and Mr.. McCul-
Tough. who had by that time made Chi
cago his home, slipped away quietly to
Grand Haven. Mich. and were mar
ried Miss Mccullough entertained
some original ideas on the subject of
the "sterner SEX and it had been
her delight TO poke good natured fun
at men- For instance. she has written;
Is inc average MIN only llttIS
better than the mushroom; at his best
delicacy; at his worst a poison7'
"Most wives are expected TO run
porterhouse steak establishment on
a mutton stew allowance
Men. the married kind, are the
greatest gold brick artists IN the
world-their wives are the easy
marks -
An inquest into the death of Mrs. Nc
bG0nn U
Coroner Spear. George Sydney McCui-
loush. the husband. who left home early
yesterday and was away when his wife
was found dead. is sought as a wit
ness.
Annie Larsen. the maid. today said
Mr.. Mccullough left home saying he was
going to take trip TO Michigan and ex-
pccted TO be gone several days. She had
been in the service OF the family four
years. she said. and during that time she
had never heard the McCulloughs quar-