The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-15
COMM rs SUICIDE
AFTER DANCING
Had Separated From Her Hus-
band and Was Living With Her
Parents on the Westhampton
Line-Shot Herself
Through Heart.
R I CHI NJ OND.

r RICHMoND VA Special
Dressed In her preIriest party
clothes and within an hour and a
half after she had danced the final sci
at the neighborhood hop, given in
her fathers home, on the Cary Street
Road, near the Belt Line, Mrs. Anna
Elizabeth Schenks. twenty-one years
old. fired a pistol ball through her
heart early this morning and died al
most instantly.
Mrs. Schenks had been In the best
or spirits. She danced every set, and
Wnen the hop broke up, at about
4:30 this morning she declared thai
she was not in the least tired and
expressed the wish that the dance were
just beginning.
At ten minutes to o'clock she
walked into the parlOr on the first
floor. and bolted the door. Two younN
men and three girlS--One her sister
were In the room. Mrs. Schenks went
10 the mantelpiece, picked up a pistol,
and after gazing down the muzzle for
and fired.
Death Ensued Instantly,
Terrihed at the sight, but too late
to prevent the act. Miss Ella Brock.
sister OF Mrs. Schenks. rushed across
the room and caught the dying woman
as she fell. Both were soon covered
with blood, which gushed from Mrs
Schenks breast. Mrs. Schenks moved
several times convulsively after she
had been laid on the floor, but made
no apparent effort to speak. No mem
ber OF the family knows why she
killed herself.
Mrs. Schenks was the daughter of
John Brock, a building contractor
Five years ago she married Edward
Schenks. but her married life was
NOT hADDV and loo -
band, but later returning to him once
she finally left him for good, and for
the last three or four months had
been living with her parents. She
years old. and Marie, born about four
teen months ago.
Her Hopes Disappointed.
Though Mr.. and Mrs. Brock are
grief stricken. they declared this
morning that their daughter had fire.
Quently threatened to kill herself. and
that they were not entirely surprised
Ever since she left her husband, Mrs
Schenks had been morbid and un-
happy. She talked freely with her
family regarding her disappointed
hopes, and said that but for her chill
dren she had but little to live for.
Mrs. Brock declared that her
daughter was deeply in love with Ed
ward Schenks when she married him.
but that her lifelong ideals were soon
and acutely.
Naturally OF a bright and happy
disposition, the young woman fought
on her troubles and often appeared
to be bright and merry-particularIy
when guests were in the house, but
her old morbidness would soon re-
turn, Mrs. Brock said, and then her
daughter would be more detected than
ever and under such conditions many
times declared that she would be hap
n oil
could hardly keep from killing herself
and putting an end to her troubles.
Reaction Followed Dance.
1t Is thought by Mrs. Brock that
the excitement Of the dance last night
wore out the young woman's nerves
and when the hop was over a kind
of reaction set in, which temporarily
unbalanced her mind and drove her
to kill herself.
When she entered the parlor the
young people sitting on a long sofa
were chatting and laughing. Mrs
SchenkS appeared to be suffering
either intense mental or physical pain.
according to those who were in the
room. Her face seemed to be drawn
md her eyes had a peculiar stare.
Without noticing any of her young
friends she stepped over to the man
,elpiece. took up the pistol and fired
the fatal shot.
Mr.: Brock said this morning that
1e did not know where Edward
Schenks was living. He said. more
over, that he did not care, and spoke
IF his son-in-law with some bitter
ness. 1t was learned, however, that
Schenks is living in Henrico county,
about seven miles from the city. He.
an iron-worker by trade. and is said
20 make excellent wages.
Inquest Not Probable.
Acting Coroner Bright viewed the
body late in the forenoon and pro-
nounced death due to a self-infiicted
wound. 1t Is not probable that an
inquest will be held.