Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1914 — A SUICIDE AT FAIR OAKS. [ARTICLE]

A SUICIDE AT FAIR OAKS.

Pearl Bake* 1 ,1 G Years Old, Dies From Self Administered Wuse of Morphine. Dr. 1. X. Hemphill was called to Fair Oaks Sunday afternoon to sA Pearl Baker, a 16-year-old girl who lived with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Dewitt of that place, and who had taken a dose of morphine with suicidal intent. The girl was lying, in a semi-conscious state w hen the doctor arrived, but did not live only a short time after he reached her side, the poison having gotten in its work before his ariyal. Coronor Wright and Drs. Hemphill and English went up to Fair Oaks Monday morning and an autopsy showed conclusively that the death was caused from morphine, and a verdict of suicide will be rendered by the coroner. It is reported- that the girl was in love with and wanjted to marry a railroader, who recently went to X'orth Dakota, where she was to join him, but such a close watch was kept on her by her grandparents, who opposed the marriage, that she could not get away. Her grandfather is an invalid and takes morphine to ease his pain. She had often seen him take the drug and she procured some of it Sunday afternoon and thereafter went up the stairs to her room. When the rain came up she was called to close the windows, but no response was had from her and an investigation was made by one of the Dewitt.'boys, who found her frothing at the mouth and breathing heavily. Dr. Hemphill was called at once but it was too late to save the girl’s life. , ; The girl was a daughter or John and Stella Baker, who lived in Rensselaer several years ago. Her parents separated and her mother later married Allen Gray, formerly of Carpenter tp., and they went to lowa to reside, where Mr. Gray died some two years ago. The mother is still in lowa, we understand, and was expected to arrive at Fair Oaks yesterday forenoon. Pending her arrival the time for holding the funeral had not been set.