Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1902 — A SHOCKING SUICIDE. [ARTICLE]

A SHOCKING SUICIDE.

■ 11 Pretty Bessie Foster Ford Takes Her Own Life. Domestic Troubles the Cause of Her Rash Act Which Took Place at Her Home In Elwood. This community was shocked last Thursdayon the receipt of the sad news of the death by her own hand of Mrs. Bessie Ford, of Elwood. Deceased was formerly Miss Bessie Foster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Foster, former residents of Rensselaer. Miss Bessie before her departure for Elwood was an employe in the Republican office. She was a most charming young woman and beloved by all who knew her. About six months ago she eloped with Luther Ford, a former resident of Remington and they were married at? Benton Harbor, Mich. Since then they have made their home at El-wood,-where Ford was employed in a tin plate factory. Ford’s treatment of his wife is said to have been the cause of her rash act. This was his second marriage, his first wife hav ing obtained a divorce after living with him a few months.

The following account of the suicide is taken from the Elwood Daily Record of last Thursday and is probably as near a correct account of the affair as the public will ever be able to obtain:

Excitement ran high in this city last evening when the news of the shocking suicide of Mrs. Luther Ford became known. The report spread quickly to the Columbia club where a dance was in progress and put a damper upon an otherwise jolly affair. The unfortunate woman’s husband was a member of the club and she attended the social functions with him on many occasions and was a general favorite among the young folks. The tragedy occurred at 9 o’clock. -The woman and her husband had made arrangements earlier in the day to attend the dance. Mr. Ford is employed in the tin plate factory .and was on the afternoon turn yesterday but made arrangements for some one to finish his turn so that he could attend the dance. His wife was prepared to go to thg dance when he came horn;. He informed her that he would not take her, stating that he had some business to attend to and that when he was at leisure it would be too late. He told her he intended to go himself, however, whereupon the wife answered, “Alright, I have heard enough today, anyway.” She went into the bedroom and removed her clothes as though to retire, donning her nightrobe. She called her husband and before he had time to respond the report of a revolver was heard. His brother was at the house at the time aud was assisting the husband to put on his overcoat. Upon hearing the report they rushed into the room and found the woman upon the floor with a bullet wound through her head. The wound was instantly fatal. She had placed the muzzle of the revolver to her right temple, the bullet passing through the brain aud coming out at the left temple. The revolver was a hammerless, 32-calibre, which her father had given her two years ago. Dr. Cotton was called, but his services were not needed. Officers Wallace and Worley were dispatched to the scene. The deceased was formerly Miss Bessie Foster and was but 18 years old. She came to this city with her parents from Rensselaer and was employed in the sorting room of the tin plate factory previous to her marriage to Luther Ford, which was about six months ago. The marriage was a hasty one and her parents were vigorously opposed to it. Their domestic life has been anything but flowery and the troubles have told greatly on the nervous system of the young woman, who was of a very sensitive disposition. It is rumored that they quarreled yesterday morning and that many things of like nature were the cause of her taking her own life, and not merely the disappointment of not being able to attend the dance. She was a beautiful girl, beloved by all who knew her, and her sad end has caused universal sorrow throughout the city. Her parents are almost distracted over the affair. The coroner held an inquest this morning and rendered a verdict of suicide. The remains were shipped to Remington on the noon Pennsylvania train today for interment.

Friday’s Record, under the head of “Many Rumors Afloat” has the following:

Owing to the fact that previous to the death of Mrs. Lute Ford, she and her husband had had many domestic troubles and that their house had been robbed several times by some one who was not acquainted with the places where the money was secreted, which at the time was considered a little peculiar by those who were familiar with the circumstances. And further the fact that the husband constantly neglected her who was of tender years have given rise to rumors upon the streets today to the effect that she might have met her death at other than her own hands. It was disclosed at the coroner’s inquest that the husband and his young brother were the only persons on the premises when the affair happened and the young man’s version of the affair corresponds with that of his brother. On the day of her death she had done the family washing and had visited the dressmaker twice, who was making her a gown to wear to the dance that evening, and yet she was told by the husband that she was not able to attend the dance. Only several days ago grief caused from disappointment so effected her health that the services of a physician were necessary, and the fact that the husband had sorely tried her, knowing her sensitive nature, has caused him to be rtuch criticized. The funeral was held at Remington Friday afternoon. Interment took place al Gilboa cemetery, in Benton county. Dr. Kay’s Lung Balm for bronchitis.