Obit of Baldwin, Bridget (b435) - Pittsburg County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Genea Bohanan 17 Oct 2004 Return to Pittsburg County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pittsburg/pittsburg.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== The Hartshorne Sun APRIL 19, 1895 "Mrs. Baldwin's Suicides" Since the Choctaw Nation mines were first opened William Baldwin, with but short intervals, has been connected with them in some capacity, either contractor, strip pit opening, or pit boss, the latter position he now fills. During these four or five years his wife, Mrs. Bridget Baldwin and their little girl Mamie, made their home with Mrs. Baldwins brother, Mr. Pat McKennon at Providence, R. I., until nine months ago when the wife and little girl came to Hartshorne, and the family commenced boarding at Mr. D. C. Cole’s. Sunshine and contentment existed between the couple until a few months ago when it is said, a dark shadow came between them, and Mrs. Baldwin’s lamentable and unlooked for suicide of Saturday morning last was the culmination. Mrs. Baldwin had her own and little Mamie’s clothing arranged and trunks packed to start back to her old home, but she surprised all by taking a different route. At 7: 30 o’clock she swallowed two tablespoonfuls of arsenic and forcibly administered a teaspoonful to the little girl. The child’s screaming attracted Miss Bessie Cole’s attention, and going to the room door, Mrs. Baldwin handed her two glasses, cautioned her particularly to wash them thoroughly as poison had been in them, adding that she and Mamie would soon be out of the way. Mrs. Cole quickly gave both an antidote of sweet milk; vomiting followed. Mr. Cole hastily summoned the two company physicians. Drs. Bond and Miller. Stomach pumps were vigorously used. The little girl was the worse of the two until noon when a change took place, the child getting better and the mother worse and unconscious, and continued so until 5 o’clock, when death relieved her sufferings, and her spirit winged its way to the God that gave it. With the best of nursing and attention the little girl was restored to life and was soon all right, save soreness and weakness from such excruciating vomiting. During her illness Mrs. Baldwin told where she laid two letters, written by herself, one to Mrs. Cole of this place and the other to her brother at Providence, R. I., requesting Mrs. Cole to mail it to him. (small unreadable part) In the one to Mrs. Cole she acknowledges the great sin she is about to commit and prays God for forgiveness, and that her own and littles Mamie’s bodiy be placed in one coffin, that their pictures be taken together after death and gave names of parties to whom she desired them sent, directions what to do with her own and Mamie’s clothes and effects. The letter was written in a tone of such utter wretchedness that only a cast iron being could read without being visibly moved. The letter to her brother was forwarded to him, and each and every request the poor heart broken woman made of Mrs. Cole will be compiled with. The Catholic Priest was telegraphed for but declined to come. At the house and grave Captian Frazier said a few appropriate, non-sectarian remarks, the Odd Fellows took charge and a large crowd followed the remains to the cemetery Sunday evening. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Pittsburg County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pittsburg/pittsburg.htm