OBITUARY: Hazel Smith, Mitchell County, Iowa



Hazel Smith [circa 1925?]




               GIRL COMMITTED SUICIDE NEAR ST. ANSGAR MONDAY

      Miss Hazel Smith of Meltonville Took Carbolic Acid to End Life.

                        WAS FOUND DEAD LYING ON BED

       Had Been Working in R. L. Valentine Farm Home Only Few Days
                       No Reason For Rash Act Know
    Apparently In Best of Spirits When Mrs. Valentine Left That Morning.



A very regrettable suicide occurred at the R. B. Valentine farm home, on the
old George Brown place about two and a half miles southeast of St. Ansgar,
Monday morning, when Miss Hazel Smith of Meltonville drank carbolic acid.
Miss Smith was nineteen years of age and came to work at the Valentine
home about two weeks ago. She had been out with a company of friends Sunday
and on Monday morning appeared in the best of spirits. About 8:30 that
morning Mrs. Valentine drove to St. Ansgar to take one of her children to
school. Upon returning home about 10:30 she did not see Miss Smith about the
house and going up to her room, discovered the lifeless body lying on the
bed. In a window was found an eight ounce bottle which had contained carbolic
acid and which was practically empty. A glass was also found there and she
had evidently diluted the acid before taking it.

A St. Ansgar physician was called as soon as possible, but could do nothing
to help the lifeless young lady. 

Dr. Lott, county corner, and Sheriff Hungerford were also called, but decided
an inquest was not necessary, there appearing to be no question but what it
was a case of suicide. No motive for the rash action is known, but it is said
Miss Smith was at times subject to spells of melancholy and it may be she
committed the act at such a time.




Copyright (c) 2001 by Marilyn Oconnor <oconnor@osage.net>
(Note: I am not necessarily related to the subject of the obituary.)
This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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