Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-30
Girl ATTEMPTS
SUICIDE BECAUSE
OF SPURNEDLOVE
Mabel Stargal, Pretty Rushville
Maid, Shoots Herself With
80 Caibre Revolver.
WOUND MAY PROVE FATAL
Declares That She Was Engaged to
Former Moline Man But That He
Had Abandoned Her.

The victim of an unrequited affec-
tion, motherless, and feeling that the
world had no longer anything for her
10 live for, Mabel Stargal, Il years old,
of Rushville, H., tried 10 kill herself
Last night with 32-calibre revolver in
the yard Of the premises at AL Tenth
street at 11:40 O'Clock.
The bullet entered her body immedi-
ately above the heart and came out
under her left shoulder, and may prove
fatal. No one witnessed the deed, the
girl having sent F. S. Howard, a room
or, 70 the kitchen before firing the
shot, on the pretext that she wanted
glass Of water. Mrs. Andrew Johnson,
the landlady, was Ia the kitchen wash
ing dishes at the time, and knew moth
ing Of the occurrence until she heard
the report.
STORY OF THE GIRL.
The girl, who is quite pretty,
rConCd on Fourth avenue between
Tenth and Eleventh streets, stated at
the hospital this morning that she was
engaged 10 be married 70 a former Mo-
. line man named Otto Blacllledge. but
that he had left the city two months
ago, and that, Notwithstanding the
fact that he had returned for a brief
period several weeks ago, he had ap-
parently not paid any attention TO the
ceremony which was to have taken
place this week In other words, the
girl summed up his treatment as equal
to an abandonment OF her.
Inquiries tended TO show that the
girl was excessively lonely, but that
her actions had been of AN exemplary
character. Mrs. Johnson said the girl
had been invited to a moving picture
show last night by the roomer, How
ard, and that she had accepted, but
while at the performance she had. not
interest except when one particularly
tragic scene held the boards.
WANTED TO DIE.
After her return to the house she
told Mrs. johnson. whom she had fire.
quently called mother" that she in
tended to leave Moline today. at the
same time indicating the deepest
poiEnancy over something, and even
gclng so far. as TO express the wish
that she were dead. She volunteered
no information as to her troubles, how
ever. when questioned as to the re
mark by Mrs. Johnson.
Afterward she sat on the front porch
with Howard until he remarked
10 her that It was time she wa:
going home to her cwn place. There
upon she entered Mrs. Johnsons house
paid her Sc which she had borrowed
from that lady. k. sed her goodbye
AID left. again stntitg her intention o
leaving town. She walked with How
ard. who was to take her home, as ia
as the sidewalk. and then asked him q
get her the water. He did not suspec
anything and disappeared for the pun
pose requested. when he heard tn
shot. and returned TO find her lying il
the yard with the smoking weapon il
her hand She had carried ii in he
handbag. though where she obtaine
II is a mystery.
TAKEIN TO HOSPITAL.
The police were notified and sh
was taken 10 the hospital. where a ply
slc'an attended her. pronouncing tn
wound very grave.
Neghbors were surprised TO learr
OF the reported engagement. asserting
that Blackledge was much older thai
the girl. and taking it for granted tina
he. merely rooariad har l., q f,io,d1,