The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-14

Weary Of life because she was not
brought into the world right" and be-
cause she was not brought up right.
Mrs. Ruby Smith tac young and beautl-
ful wife Of Earl V. Smith, a prominent
lumber merchant OF Salt Lake, commit :
ted suicide some time Thursday or
doors of her rooms I'm the Hicks apart
mcnts, 6S South Sixth East street. and
turning on the gas.
The young wife left a farewell letter to
her husband, who was absent from the
city on business at the time OF the trag-
edy, which. in so many words declared
that she had deliberately sought death
and that. while she still passionately
loved her husband. she regarded IL as
best that she bring only this last dis
grace" upon him.
Time of Death Unknown.
At just what hour Mrs Smith ended
her life will probably always remain a
mystery. BY other occupants OF the same
apartments she was last seen Wednesday
afternoon. but as she and her husband
lived quietly and she seldom went out
during his absence from the city, moth
Ing was thought OF her non -appea ra nee.
The odor OF escaping gas on the second
floor OF the apartment house was FIRST
detected by other tenants about 7:30
O'Clock Friday morning. An invcstiGn
tion was instituted and the source OF The
smell was traced TO the apartments occu-
pied by Mrs. Smith. AS the doors en-
tering TO all of her rooms were locked,
the police were notified and Policemen
Moore and Hendrickson were sent TO In
vestigate
Moore climbed through a transom lead
Ing from door to the screened Porch
at the rear, forced the kitchen door, and
was nearly overcome by the rush OF es-
Gaping gas. as. entering the ROOM he saw
the form Of Mrs. Smith clad in her night
robes and lying on the kitchen floor.
Probably Delirious Near End.
Inspection Of the sleeping room in the
apartment showed that the bed had been
occupied and the circumstantinl evidence
is that Mrs. Smith after completing her
Al some time before the end. rendered
delirious by the fumes of the gas which
she had turned on from every jet in the
apartment had arisen from her bed and
groped her way into the kitchen. where.
at last overcome by the fumes, she had
sunk 10 the floor and expired.
After the officers had made an inspec-
tion Of the apartments Coroner II g.
Harper was notified and the body OF
Mrs. Smith was sent 10 the undertaking
rooms OF O'Donnell e. Co. where Coroner
Wnether or not an inquest will be re-
quired, although he expressed the opin-
lon Friday night that no formal investi-
CATION would be necessary.
Husband Is Frustrated.
Earl V, Smith. husband of the Young
woman VINO so Unexpectedly sought and
found death, reached the city Friday
night, having been located north OF Ogden.
whither no had gone on a business trip.
NIT. smith; who was prostrated by the
shock OF the news. went AZ once 10 the
home OF his father. T. II. Smith. 167
South Seventh East street and denied
himself to all except members OF the
FAMILY 1t was stated that he was SO
overcome that he was hardly able TO
realize the blow that had fallen upon
him. So far as ncishbors. friends and
members Of the family know there was
no cloud OF unhappiness TO mar the lives
the letter which Mrs. Smith left would
seem TO bear out this statement They
were married two years ago and entoyed
the respect and esteem OF a large number
of friends.
Young Woman Was Popular
Mrs. Smith who was Miss RUBY
Thompson before her marriage. was for
several years employed as clerk OF the
news stand and cigar counter at the
kenyon hotel. BY reason OF her unusual
beauty and vyacity she made hundreds
OF friends. who received with horror and
GRIEF the news OF her untlmeIy. TAX
ing Off.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thompson. parents ~ the
Young woman. were unhappy In their do
mestic relations and were divorced sew
erai years ago. Mr. Thompson went 10
lenVer where he is believed to be now
living. Mrs. Thompson married man
named Ncice and removed 10 Los An
geles. Tho authorities will make an ef-
fort TO communicate with the parents OF
the young woman,