Adopted/foster daughter of Jefferson and Mary Ballard, who committed suicide at age 19 by taking strychnine.
A relative stated that her birth name was Burdine. The identity of her birth parents, where she was from, and reason for adoption is unknown and remains a mystery.
∼ WEARY OF LIFE
Miss Birdie Ballard, Formerly of Farmington, Takes Poison in Minneapolis.
One of the saddest events we have ever chronicled is the death of Miss Birdie Ballard, who died at Minneapolis last Sunday night, at the home of Dr. Goodale, where she was employed.
When Dr. Goodale's family returned home from the theatre near midnight, Miss Ballard informed the doctor that she had taken poison, but it was thought at first she was joking as she said it in such a careless way. Finally Dr. Goodale was convinced that the girl had really taken poison and summoned help. At first Miss Ballard resisted treating, saying she wanted to die, but finally, when it was too late she swallowed antidotes. After a few hours suffering she died.
It is not known how Miss Ballard procured the poison, but it is thought she took arsenic pills from the doctor's stores.
Dakota County Tribune – December 22, 1899 ∼There is no doubt that the girl had been contemplating suicide for some time. A letter was found by the doctor sometime ago, in which Miss Ballard said she expected to take her life on Dec. 7, by taking laudanum. The letter was found in time, however, to save her from her intentions, but last night the family had no idea of what she was about to do when she returned from the theatre.
The remains were brought to Farmington on Monday, in care of Mr. W. H. Brownell.
Funeral services were held at the house, on Oak Street, at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, the Rev. H. F. Ackerman, of the M. E. Church officiating.
The remains were interred in Corinthian Cemetery. The pall bearers were Walter Lewis, Carlton Hunter, Levy Hosmer, Frank Lansing, James Brownell and John Archer. The funeral was largely attended.
Miss Birdie Ballard would have been twenty years old had she lived until January 1900. She was the foster daughter of Jefferson Ballard, having been adopted when an infant, and her youthful days were all spent here. She was educated in the village schools. In June last she went to Minneapolis and studied stenography and type-writing at the Minnesota School of Business. A few weeks ago she took a position in the office of Dr. Goodale, where her sad end came.
The news of Ms. Ballard's death and especially in such a tragic manner, was received with many expressions of sorrow here. She was a young lady of bright and cheery ways and had a large circle of friends who sincerely mourn her loss.
The sympathy of the community is with the aged father and other relatives.
The Minneapolis Journal
A relative stated that her birth name was Burdine. The identity of her birth parents, where she was from, and reason for adoption is unknown and remains a mystery.
∼ WEARY OF LIFE
Miss Birdie Ballard, Formerly of Farmington, Takes Poison in Minneapolis.
One of the saddest events we have ever chronicled is the death of Miss Birdie Ballard, who died at Minneapolis last Sunday night, at the home of Dr. Goodale, where she was employed.
When Dr. Goodale's family returned home from the theatre near midnight, Miss Ballard informed the doctor that she had taken poison, but it was thought at first she was joking as she said it in such a careless way. Finally Dr. Goodale was convinced that the girl had really taken poison and summoned help. At first Miss Ballard resisted treating, saying she wanted to die, but finally, when it was too late she swallowed antidotes. After a few hours suffering she died.
It is not known how Miss Ballard procured the poison, but it is thought she took arsenic pills from the doctor's stores.
Dakota County Tribune – December 22, 1899 ∼There is no doubt that the girl had been contemplating suicide for some time. A letter was found by the doctor sometime ago, in which Miss Ballard said she expected to take her life on Dec. 7, by taking laudanum. The letter was found in time, however, to save her from her intentions, but last night the family had no idea of what she was about to do when she returned from the theatre.
The remains were brought to Farmington on Monday, in care of Mr. W. H. Brownell.
Funeral services were held at the house, on Oak Street, at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, the Rev. H. F. Ackerman, of the M. E. Church officiating.
The remains were interred in Corinthian Cemetery. The pall bearers were Walter Lewis, Carlton Hunter, Levy Hosmer, Frank Lansing, James Brownell and John Archer. The funeral was largely attended.
Miss Birdie Ballard would have been twenty years old had she lived until January 1900. She was the foster daughter of Jefferson Ballard, having been adopted when an infant, and her youthful days were all spent here. She was educated in the village schools. In June last she went to Minneapolis and studied stenography and type-writing at the Minnesota School of Business. A few weeks ago she took a position in the office of Dr. Goodale, where her sad end came.
The news of Ms. Ballard's death and especially in such a tragic manner, was received with many expressions of sorrow here. She was a young lady of bright and cheery ways and had a large circle of friends who sincerely mourn her loss.
The sympathy of the community is with the aged father and other relatives.
The Minneapolis Journal
Adopted/foster daughter of Jefferson and Mary Ballard, who committed suicide at age 19 by taking strychnine.
A relative stated that her birth name was Burdine. The identity of her birth parents, where she was from, and reason for adoption is unknown and remains a mystery.
∼ WEARY OF LIFE
Miss Birdie Ballard, Formerly of Farmington, Takes Poison in Minneapolis.
One of the saddest events we have ever chronicled is the death of Miss Birdie Ballard, who died at Minneapolis last Sunday night, at the home of Dr. Goodale, where she was employed.
When Dr. Goodale's family returned home from the theatre near midnight, Miss Ballard informed the doctor that she had taken poison, but it was thought at first she was joking as she said it in such a careless way. Finally Dr. Goodale was convinced that the girl had really taken poison and summoned help. At first Miss Ballard resisted treating, saying she wanted to die, but finally, when it was too late she swallowed antidotes. After a few hours suffering she died.
It is not known how Miss Ballard procured the poison, but it is thought she took arsenic pills from the doctor's stores.
Dakota County Tribune – December 22, 1899 ∼There is no doubt that the girl had been contemplating suicide for some time. A letter was found by the doctor sometime ago, in which Miss Ballard said she expected to take her life on Dec. 7, by taking laudanum. The letter was found in time, however, to save her from her intentions, but last night the family had no idea of what she was about to do when she returned from the theatre.
The remains were brought to Farmington on Monday, in care of Mr. W. H. Brownell.
Funeral services were held at the house, on Oak Street, at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, the Rev. H. F. Ackerman, of the M. E. Church officiating.
The remains were interred in Corinthian Cemetery. The pall bearers were Walter Lewis, Carlton Hunter, Levy Hosmer, Frank Lansing, James Brownell and John Archer. The funeral was largely attended.
Miss Birdie Ballard would have been twenty years old had she lived until January 1900. She was the foster daughter of Jefferson Ballard, having been adopted when an infant, and her youthful days were all spent here. She was educated in the village schools. In June last she went to Minneapolis and studied stenography and type-writing at the Minnesota School of Business. A few weeks ago she took a position in the office of Dr. Goodale, where her sad end came.
The news of Ms. Ballard's death and especially in such a tragic manner, was received with many expressions of sorrow here. She was a young lady of bright and cheery ways and had a large circle of friends who sincerely mourn her loss.
The sympathy of the community is with the aged father and other relatives.
The Minneapolis Journal
A relative stated that her birth name was Burdine. The identity of her birth parents, where she was from, and reason for adoption is unknown and remains a mystery.
∼ WEARY OF LIFE
Miss Birdie Ballard, Formerly of Farmington, Takes Poison in Minneapolis.
One of the saddest events we have ever chronicled is the death of Miss Birdie Ballard, who died at Minneapolis last Sunday night, at the home of Dr. Goodale, where she was employed.
When Dr. Goodale's family returned home from the theatre near midnight, Miss Ballard informed the doctor that she had taken poison, but it was thought at first she was joking as she said it in such a careless way. Finally Dr. Goodale was convinced that the girl had really taken poison and summoned help. At first Miss Ballard resisted treating, saying she wanted to die, but finally, when it was too late she swallowed antidotes. After a few hours suffering she died.
It is not known how Miss Ballard procured the poison, but it is thought she took arsenic pills from the doctor's stores.
Dakota County Tribune – December 22, 1899 ∼There is no doubt that the girl had been contemplating suicide for some time. A letter was found by the doctor sometime ago, in which Miss Ballard said she expected to take her life on Dec. 7, by taking laudanum. The letter was found in time, however, to save her from her intentions, but last night the family had no idea of what she was about to do when she returned from the theatre.
The remains were brought to Farmington on Monday, in care of Mr. W. H. Brownell.
Funeral services were held at the house, on Oak Street, at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, the Rev. H. F. Ackerman, of the M. E. Church officiating.
The remains were interred in Corinthian Cemetery. The pall bearers were Walter Lewis, Carlton Hunter, Levy Hosmer, Frank Lansing, James Brownell and John Archer. The funeral was largely attended.
Miss Birdie Ballard would have been twenty years old had she lived until January 1900. She was the foster daughter of Jefferson Ballard, having been adopted when an infant, and her youthful days were all spent here. She was educated in the village schools. In June last she went to Minneapolis and studied stenography and type-writing at the Minnesota School of Business. A few weeks ago she took a position in the office of Dr. Goodale, where her sad end came.
The news of Ms. Ballard's death and especially in such a tragic manner, was received with many expressions of sorrow here. She was a young lady of bright and cheery ways and had a large circle of friends who sincerely mourn her loss.
The sympathy of the community is with the aged father and other relatives.
The Minneapolis Journal
Gravesite Details
Her stone faces east, the opposite way of the rest of her "family," who all face west, and is out of line with the rest of them. The stone used to also state "and illegitimate baby" (which has since been removed).
Family Members
Parents
Children
