Evening star., 1911-08-20
LIFE WAS J0YLESS
Mrs. Petersen's Existence
Only a Burden to Her.
UNFORTUNATE IN LOVE
Compelled to Earn Own Livelihood,
Although Poorly Fitted.
ENDED ALL BY CARB0LIC ACID
t.
Developed Hallucinations and Was
Driven to Suicide Despite Love
for Infant Daughter.
ENDED ALL BY CARB0LIC ACID

lOT 0d0kAtCIs
Decisions, bred in brooding loneliness,
are only in a measure the explanation
of the suicidal mood of Sarah Elizabeth
Pollock English Petersen, who ended her
Alfe by poison in her apartments on the
first floor OF the Riviera, 223 II street
northwest, and whose body was discov-
cred yesterday morning.
Hers is the story of life cheated of
joy. Endowed with aspirations, her love
affairs went always awry, her matri-
,monial ventures ended disastrously, and
before and between the blighted ro-
finances Of her two marriages, was the
NECESSITY to gain a livelihood by work
for which she was poorly fitted and not
well inclined.
Attractive. we'll groomed and her per-
lsonality clothed with the sentiment that
accompanied the desire to appear well
1she also carried a pride that prevented
her from asking aid from those Of whom
she might rightfully have demanded it
lOthers who guessed her need dared moi
offer to help her.
During her residence in the Riviera
since November of last year only one
woman visntor has rung her doorbell.
Three men entered into that period OF
sher existence. Two of them, apparently
accepted by her to help out in her ex
.tremity. contributed to her support.
4 Thought She Was Watched.
Il She was slightly deaf She entertained
sthe idea that detectives were watching
/. her every movement. Whispering under
her window she construed as plotting
against her.
She held herself aloof from kinsmen,
even those nearest to her Those less
closely related she suspected OF enmity
against her. and returned it in some
sn,easure.
The summons of self-destructon came
to her when 1t seemed no longer possible
10 her to meet her financial obligations
, Behind in her rent, with no immediate
prospect of having mony to pay her way:
her child lacking food to sustain its life
and no hope that the future would be
more joyous than her unhappy past she
apparently saw only one way out, and
took IL.
Her girlhood found her in the employ.
OF the government She did not keen her
place. Then came into her life a man.
pronounced by her friends a ne'er-do-
well. the man she first married, Lucius
o. English. whose inattentions worried
and broke her. She divorced him and he
disappeared.
Then came again a long period of work
She found employment with Woodward
Lothrop, and they thought so well Of
her that they were willing to- take her
on when she needed 1t. later, but had
nothing 10 offer her that she would con-
slider. The American Federation of Labor
gave her work to do. She was valued
employe of 8. ]. venable. in the picture
frame business on 9th street.
She might have been with this last
concern yet had not illness caused her
10 seek a climate where incipient con-
QumnftOn hn cd 0k1
Denver about five years ago.
Married Trick Bicycle Rider.
:. In Denver she met trick bicycle rider,
n W. Petersen. who was also ma
foninist employed In bicycle shop. They
loved and married. Petersen's constancy
was short lived. and he. too, disappeared.
: The baby girl was born soon afterward.
s Mrs. Petersen. with babe in arms. re-
appeared In Washington about two wears
ago. she sought shelter with a girl cou-
SIN. and was sent away in the belief she
Q others. -
= Then came another line of work
TINS time as an employe of the Inter-
national Association of Machinists. in
| the McGiil building. G street, near 9th
street This employment she lost when
she was told that there was no work
lett FOR her to do. about four months
ago.
Her struggles reached the climax
ednesday, as the result OF her in
ability to find something to do. She
took examination for the position OF
assistant TO plate printer in the bureau
or engraving and printing. but her ap-
pointment. despite some influence ex-
= erted in her behalf. failed to be made
There was not even an eggshell in the
s garbage removed from her apartment
by the janitor Wednesday morning. Food
apparently had grown scarce. She ap-
pea ed TO nobody. but chose to die.
There was the child, and the letters
she wrote In contemplation of her act
OF self-destruction. suggest that she In
tended II to die with her. She may have
given 1t a drug. but IL was not the same
poison. carbolic acid. that ended her own
. hfe. The child survived her.
Preston Forrest. negro janitor of the
Rivera. gives an account OF nearly ter
months of the life OF Mrs Petersen
spent in the apartment rented by her
last November. a man who represented
himself as her husband. Mr.. Petersen
paid the first months rent, says the
Janitor. Rent for the following months
!, until last May. was promptly paid
About that time .Srs. Petersen lost heI
pace with the International Association
Of Machinists. She was unable to pay
the rent on time, and explained to For.
rest. he says. that Mr. Petersen had
failed 10 give her any money.
In Arrears for Rent.
The rent for May and June was paid
but long after 1t was due, says Forrest
July and August rents were in arrears
Mrs. Petersen. explaining her dereliction
had appealed 10 Forrest as a Mason. She
said that in her Strengthened circum
stances she might have to seek cheaper
quarters. and was to tell him OF her de-
cision Saturday night.
Wednesday night Forrest says he
knocked at her door without response ant
felt sure that she was not at home. H.
went TO bed. finally. to be awakened by 1
: sudden crash. followed by the SUSTAINED
crying OF the Petersen baby.
Partly dressing himself. the janitor lef
his rooms and went to the tube that con
. meets with the Petersen apartments N.
Whisfied UP several times. but no re
sponse came. He put his ear to the tube
Above the dripping of water in a til
pan. he could hear sounds that perplexes
him. lie thought he heard struggle ant
si4hs.
Going upstairs to the apartment. HI
tried the handle of the door. Then h.
fell against the door. but not with suf
1cient force to break the lock. KNOWN;
that Mrs. Petersen owned a revolver, h