Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 123, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1915 — KEENER TOWNSHIP WOMAN SUICIDES [ARTICLE]

KEENER TOWNSHIP WOMAN SUICIDES

Mother of Four Children Took Rough On Rats and Death Resulted a Few Hours Later. 1 Mrs. Cornelius Walstra, whose age was about 30 years, died at her home 2% miles east of Roselawn at 10 o’clock Monday result of taking “rough-on-rats” with suicidal intent. She leaves her husband and four small children. Mr. Walstra, who is described as a hard working man and good citizen, had realized for some time that his wife was suffering from mental disorders and that she might do ‘herself bodily harm. Precaution was taken to keep everything out of her way that might be used tor taking her life, but when her husband went to the barn at about 5 o’clock Monday morning she procured'a package of the rat poison and took a considerable part of it. She was conscious when her husband returned to the house and was vomiting. Her husband urged her to tell what she had done and she claimed to have taken a dose of Watikin’s liniment. Later, however, die admitted that she had taken the poison. Dr. Rice was called from Roselawn and tried to save her life but without avail and she passed away at about 10 o’clock.