Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 125, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1914 — MADE CONFESSION AND THEN SUICIDED [ARTICLE]

MADE CONFESSION AND THEN SUICIDED

Reginald Barr Says That Sweetheart Died in His Arms When He Tried to Kiss Her. Reginald Barr, who was the cause of the death of Florence Bentley, at Downers Grove, IM, and who killed himself Tuesday morning by jumping in front of a train, left a note in which he related the death of the Bentley girl. He declared that he loved her dearly and would not have injured her purposely. He said that he tried to Ides her and she objected and that be asked her if she did not love him and drew her close to him and that hte arm was pressed across her throat and that she gasped and fell to the ground but was breathing. He said that he covered her head and in his fright ran away and did not return to full conoeiousnras until the following day. He then jumped into a pond to try to drown himhelf but failed. He then bought chloroform and went to the place where the girl was and lay down by her side and placed the chloroform where he could breathe the fumes, but it tipped over and spilled. He’then bought more chloroform and saturated a handkerchief and placed it over hte face but this did not produce death. He then jumped beneath the train and was gspund to death. The note of explanation was found in his pocket after death.