The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1913-11-19
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
Wife Crazed Over Death of huS.
band Kills Self and Child.
(Richmond Climax

row has nuIlB ike pdIl Oh6I Jul HI
tie CITY, About five O'Clock that af-
ternoon news was received of the
death of Mr.. B. L. Banks. 1t came as
a shock, as but few knew of his alb
sence from the city and none had
heard of his illness. Worn out with
anxiety over his wife'S long continued
i'll health, he left Wednesday evening
for a short visit for recuperation at
the home of his parents at Cane Val
ley, Adair county. He was really a
sick man when he left Richmond, and
upon reaching his fathers home, was
Immediately taken down with pneu-
monia and rapidly grew worse until
death came to him about noon Sum-
day.
The shock to his friends here of his
death announcement had not spent
itself when another and more heart
rending one came in the announce
ment that his wife, unable to bear the
violent shock of her husbands death,
had taken the life Of herself and little
son. About $50 O'Clock Sunday night,
Mrs. Banks at her home on West
Main street, contemplating her own
death, and with mother love swelling
in her breast, was unwilling TO leave
her child, little Ben, eleven years of
age, to fight the battle Of life alone.
With deadly weapon she sent ball
through his temples and Immediately
ended her own life in the same man.
ner. She lived only a few minutes,
net speaking a word, after her broth
er, Mr.. Alex CorneliSon, reached her
bedside, rushing as quickly as possible
from down stairs room. Little Ben
lived two hours or more, but was new
er conscious. Medical aid was quickly
in attendance, but of 10 avail. 1t
was too late.
Mr.. Banks was AZ years OF age, had
been a resident, in this city about ID
years and member of the firm Of
CoviDgtOn & Banks, clOthierS and
mems furnishing goods, since January,
1901 This firm has been one of the
most prosperous ever doing business in
this city. A few months after engag-
ing in business here Mr.. Banks was
married to Miss Pattie CorneliSon, a
son blessing the union. Mr.. Banks
was buried yesterday at his old home,
Cane Valley, at his own request. The
following letter received 10y his part
70 Sl,r laat in ,iC CT
he knew his serious condition, and
also shows his solicitUde for his boy.
The same mail also brought a letter
to his wife and boy.
(HERE FOLLOWS THE LETTER.
"Dear Mr.. Covington:
Lying fat of my back trying to
write. Please send by parcel post ,
Outing Cloth night shirts, not the
heaviest kind. ! was stricken with
pneumonia yesterday and have suffer
ed greatly since, but am making the
fight Of my life to pull through. OF
course the crisis has not come yet.
Don't tell my little boy about it or
allow any one else to tell him. do
not want him to know | am so sick.
"With kind regards to yourself and
ali the boys. Sincerely,
B. L. Banks
Mrs Banks was 36 years of age, was
born and reared in this county and
was a daughter Of Alexander and Mary
Cornelison who died some years ago.
She leaves two brothers, John, of st.
Louis, and Alex, late of Panama, now
of this city, and three sisters, Mrs.
John Mason, of this county, Mrs j. l.
Ashbaugh, of Tuscaloosa, Ala, and
Mrs. Mary English, Of this city, all Of
whom will probably be present at the
burial tomorrow, Wednesday, after
noon in the CorneliSOn family burying
ground, near Fort EStill, after brief
services at the late residence on West
Main street at I:30, conducted by Dr..
ID. II. Seaman.
Mrs. Banks had been in poor healtf.
the time being confined to her bed.
She was a lovely and loyable yOung
girl ana grew into womanhOod a
strong character, was at one time
secretary of the State Federation of
Womens Clubs, president and enthU-
siastic worker Of Pattie A. Clay In
Urinary and a willing supporter of
charitable and uplifting work of every
Xii. Little Ben will be buried by
hef side.
Thus ends brief and imperfect no,
tice of the most heart-rending and
sorrow laden tragedy that has evel
come,to the people of our city.
The following is from the Richmond
Paragraph: To say that the double
tragedy shocked Richmond as nothing
else. is to speak truly; yet no one car