| Notes |
- Sad Death
Once more we are called upon to chronicle the bereavement of one of our citizens, Mrs. Marion Merritt, who lived with her husband on a farm four miles above this city on the Sacramento River, died yesterday afternoon from the effects of poison, administered by her own hand. She had been visiting during the day, at the house of Mr. and Mrs. William Pierce, who live on the Humboldt Road, about one mile this side of her own residence. On starting home she asked Mrs. Pierce if she had any strychnine about the house. Mrs. Pierce said she had, and Mrs. Merritt said she would like to take some home for the purpose of exterminating rats, which had become very troublesome about the house. At about four o'clock, her husband and another man who were engaged at some work near the house, were startled by her screams and repaired to the house, where they found Mrs. Merritt in convulsions and while the stricken husband did all he could to alleviate the sufferings of his companion the man who was with him was dispatched at once to this city for a physician, calling at Pierce's and announcing the circumstances to Mrs. Pierce, who at once repaired to the house of her suffering neighbor. At half past four o'clock the messenger reached this city and notified Dr. G. W. Westlake of the fatal poisoning. At about five o'clock the doctor arrived but too late to render any assistance, as the pulse had virtually ceased to beat. There seems to be no reason for the act unless her mind became unsettled from the loss of an only child a few months since. Mrs. Pierce informed Dr. Westlake that Mrs. Merritt appeared in her usual health and spirits at her visit, a few hours before the sad occurrence. Mr. Merritt said that she has seemed gloomy and Birth: 1856
Iowa, USA
Death: Dec. 6, 1878
Red Bluff
Tehama County
California, USA
Sad Death
Once more we are called upon to chronicle the bereavement of one of our citizens, Mrs. Marion Merritt, who lived with her husband on a farm four miles above this city on the Sacramento River, died yesterday afternoon from the effects of poison, administered by her own hand. She had been visiting during the day, at the house of Mr. and Mrs. William Pierce, who live on the Humboldt Road, about one mile this side of her own residence. On starting home she asked Mrs. Pierce if she had any strychnine about the house. Mrs. Pierce said she had, and Mrs. Merritt said she would like to take some home for the purpose of exterminating rats, which had become very troublesome about the house. At about four o'clock, her husband and another man who were engaged at some work near the house, were startled by her screams and repaired to the house, where they found Mrs. Merritt in convulsions and while the stricken husband did all he could to alleviate the sufferings of his companion the man who was with him was dispatched at once to this city for a physician, calling at Pierce's and announcing the circumstances to Mrs. Pierce, who at once repaired to the house of her suffering neighbor. At half past four o'clock the messenger reached this city and notified Dr. G. W. Westlake of the fatal poisoning. At about five o'clock the doctor arrived but too late to render any assistance, as the pulse had virtually ceased to beat. There seems to be no reason for the act unless her mind became unsettled from the loss of an only child a few months since. Mrs. Pierce informed Dr. Westlake that Mrs. Merritt appeared in her usual health and spirits at her visit, a few hours before the sad occurrence. Mr. Merritt said that she has seemed gloomy and despondent at times for some days, and at times cheerful. Sometimes she would say that she might drown herself, but always in such a way as not to create suspicion in the mind of the hearer that she had any intention of so doing. The husband of the unfortunate woman is bowed with grief at her sudden and unexpected death, as they were very much devoted to each other. The community will join us in tendering our heartfelt sympathy to him in his bereavement.
The Daily People's Cause - Red Bluff, California
7 Dec 1878
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Abt 1856 - 1878 (~ 22 years)
