The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1913-11-11
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
Wife Crazed Over Death of
Husband Kills Self and
Child.

Since Sunday night a cloud of sorrow
has hung like pail over our little city.
About five o'clock that afternoon news
was received of the death of Mr.. b. l..
Banks. 1t came as a shock, as but few
knew of his absence from the city and
none had heard of his illness. Worn on t
with anxiety over his wife's long con-
tinued 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 sick
man when he left Richmond. and upon
reaching his fathers home, was imme-
diately taken down with pneumonia and
rapidly grew worse until death Came to
him about noon Sunday.
The shock to his friends here of his
death announcement had not spent itself
when another and more heart-rending
one came in the announcement that his
wife, unable to bear the violent shock of
her husbands eeath, had taken the life
OF herself and little son. About $50
o'clock Sunday night. Mrs. Banks at her
home on West Main street, contemplate
ing 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 o. life alones
With deadly weapon she sent ball
through his temples and Immediately
ended her own life in the same manner.
She lived only few minutes, not speak
Cornelison, reached her bedside. rushing
as quickly as possible from down stairs
room. Little Ben lived two hours or
more, but was never conscious. Medical
aid was quickly in attendance, but Of no
avail. IL was too late.
Mr. Banks was 46 years of age, had
been a resident of this city about Is
years and a member Of the firm Of
Covington & Banks, clothiers and mems
furnishing goods, since January, 1901.
This firm has been one of the most pros
porous ever doing business in this city.
A few months after engaging in business
here Mr.. Banks was married to Miss
Pattie Cornelison, son blessing the I'M
ion. Mr.. Banks was buried yesterday
at his old home. Cane Valley, at his own
request. The following letter received
by his partner serves TO show that in his
last hour he knew his serious condition
and also shows his solicitude for his
boy. The same mail also brought let
ter TO his wife and boy.
(HERE FOLLOWS THE LETTER)
'Dear Mr.. Covington:
Lying fiat of my back trying TO write.
Please send by parcel post 8 Outing
Cloth night shirts, not the heaviest kind.
was stricken~wi:h pneumonia yester-
day and have suffered greatly since, but
am making the fight Of my life TO pull
through. OF course, the crisis has moi
come yet.
Don't tell my little boy about it Oh
allow any one else TO tell him. lido no
want him to know | am so sick.
with kind regards TO yourself anS
all the boys. Sincerely,
B. l.. RANKS"
/ Mrs. Banks was 90 years Of age, wa
born and reared in this county and wa
a daughter Of Alexander and Mary Coz
nelson who died some years ago. Sh
, leaves two brothers. John. Of St. Louis
and Alex, late of Panama. now Of thi
city, and three sisters. Mrs. John Masor
OF this county, Mrs. j. l. Ashbaugh. {
, Tuscaloosa. Ala. and Mrs. Mary Ent
/ lish, of this city. all Of whom will prol
ably be present at the burial tomorro'