Published in The Rochester News-Sentinel
Monday, December 9, 1929
Marking the seventh tragic death in Fulton county within three weeks the body of Miss Louise CARITHERS, aged 49, who had shot herself through the heart with a 32 caliber revolver, was found shortly aftr 9 o'clock Sunday night at the Carithers home two miles east of this city on the Barrett road, where she lived alone by her cousins Solomon [KEEL], Stella [KEEL] and Bess KEEL. Despondency over ill health and melancholia caused by the fact that she lived alone are advanced as the reason for her suicide.
The body of Miss Carithers was found after Nick ROBBINS, who lives in a cottage at Lake Manitou across the road from the Carithers farm home notified the Keels after he had received no answers to his calls at 7:30 Sunday evening when he went to the house after he had failed to see Miss Carithers around the yard at her home during the day and because the lights in the lower part of the house burned all day Sunday.
Solomon, Bess and Stella Keel drove to the Carithers home after they had been called by Mr. Robbins. Receiving no response to their knocks or calls and finding all of the doors locked, the Keels called Sheriff Ora CLARK. Sheriff Clark then notified Coroner A. E. STINSON and the two officials drove to the Carithers home. When they received no answers to their calls they broke in the door on the east side of the house.
The body of Miss Carithers was found on a cot in the living room. She was undressed and from appearances had just retired. The revolver which she used was found clasped tightly between her hands, the trigger guard around one of her fingers. The hands were powder burned which proved that Miss Carithers had killed herself. The bullet had passed directly through the heart. In order to place the mouth of the revolver over her heart Miss Carithers had pulled her night dress down in front.
Coroner Stinson and the Keels notified the immediate relatives of Miss Carithers who came to the farm home and ordered the body removed to a local undertaking parlor where it was prepared for burial. Coroner A. E. Stinson has not as yet filed his verdict in the death of Miss Carithers but has indicated that he will declare it was caused by an act on the part of Miss Carithers. Death according to Coroner Stinson had occurred 24 hours before the body was found.
The last person who saw Miss Carithers alive was Walter SIPE, proprietor of the Walt's Chili Parlor and Barbecue on the Barrett road, who went to the Carithers home Friday morning to purchase eggs for use in his barbecue stand as had been his custom for a number of years. At that time Mr. Sipe said that Miss Carithers did not appear or act any different to him than she had on any other of his trips there to make purchases.
Miss Bess Keel stated this morning that she talked over the telephone to Miss Carithers Friday afternoon at which time she said that she had been unable to sleep for the past three nights. Miss Keel said that she was positive that Miss Carithers had not intended to commit suicide when she retired Saturday night as she had washed a number of pieces of clothing and they were hanging in the kitchen to dry.
Miss Carithers had been in ill health for over three years caused by leakage of the heart. Those who knew her best said that she permitted minor things to worry her condierably. Some of her friends say that the cutting of the beautiful shade trees in front of the Carithers home for the right of way for State Road 14 had cause her considerable worry and sorrow.
Others say that on Thanksgiving Day and the days which followed until the time of her death she appeared morose and all attributed this to the fact that just a year ago on Thanksgiving her father was buried. Miss Carithers had cared for him almost entirely alone for six years during which period her parent was bedridden most of the time. Others say that Miss Carithers imagined many times at night that persons were attempting to steal chickens and other articles from the farm at which time she would open a window and fire a revolver into the air several times. The revolver which Miss Carithers used to kill herself she kept on a chair at the side of her cot or under her pillow.
Another theory advanced for the suicide is that Miss Carithers feared a blackmailing man who has made a practice of preying upon widows and maids who lived alone in this section of the state. His game was to call women at all times of the night and threaten them if they did not give him money he would cause them harm. This man who is known to have called Miss Carithers on several occasions last summer is now doing time on the penal farm, having been sent from a county west of Fulton.
His term on the farm was about over and some think that Miss Carithers knew this and feared that he would again try to harass and blackmail her. Relatives when asked today if Miss Carithers had ever told them of the blackmailer said that she had never confided in them about him. Miss Carithers had refused offers made by her brothers and sisters to live with them saying she much preferred to live alone at the old home. Miss Carithers was one of the wealthiest women in the county.
Sarah Louise [CARITHERS], daughter of Hiram and Melissa (COLLINS) CARITHERS was born on a farm northwest of Rochester, now the site of the Kentucky Stock farm, on July sixth, 1880 and her entire life had been spent in this county.
Miss Carithers was a graduate of the Rochester College and was a member of the Baptist Church in this city. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Fred MOORE, of Logansport, Mrs. Walter BROOKER, of near Bruce Lake; two brothers, Albert CARITHERS, of Argos, and Franklin E. CARITHERS, east of Rochester.
Funeral services will be held from the Carithers home at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Daniel PERRY pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in charge. The services will be private. The body will be interred in the mausoleum at the side of Miss Carrithers' father and mother.
SOURCE:
Fulton County Indiana Obituaries - 1929
by Jean C. and Wendell C. Tombaugh
Monday, December 9, 1929
Marking the seventh tragic death in Fulton county within three weeks the body of Miss Louise CARITHERS, aged 49, who had shot herself through the heart with a 32 caliber revolver, was found shortly aftr 9 o'clock Sunday night at the Carithers home two miles east of this city on the Barrett road, where she lived alone by her cousins Solomon [KEEL], Stella [KEEL] and Bess KEEL. Despondency over ill health and melancholia caused by the fact that she lived alone are advanced as the reason for her suicide.
The body of Miss Carithers was found after Nick ROBBINS, who lives in a cottage at Lake Manitou across the road from the Carithers farm home notified the Keels after he had received no answers to his calls at 7:30 Sunday evening when he went to the house after he had failed to see Miss Carithers around the yard at her home during the day and because the lights in the lower part of the house burned all day Sunday.
Solomon, Bess and Stella Keel drove to the Carithers home after they had been called by Mr. Robbins. Receiving no response to their knocks or calls and finding all of the doors locked, the Keels called Sheriff Ora CLARK. Sheriff Clark then notified Coroner A. E. STINSON and the two officials drove to the Carithers home. When they received no answers to their calls they broke in the door on the east side of the house.
The body of Miss Carithers was found on a cot in the living room. She was undressed and from appearances had just retired. The revolver which she used was found clasped tightly between her hands, the trigger guard around one of her fingers. The hands were powder burned which proved that Miss Carithers had killed herself. The bullet had passed directly through the heart. In order to place the mouth of the revolver over her heart Miss Carithers had pulled her night dress down in front.
Coroner Stinson and the Keels notified the immediate relatives of Miss Carithers who came to the farm home and ordered the body removed to a local undertaking parlor where it was prepared for burial. Coroner A. E. Stinson has not as yet filed his verdict in the death of Miss Carithers but has indicated that he will declare it was caused by an act on the part of Miss Carithers. Death according to Coroner Stinson had occurred 24 hours before the body was found.
The last person who saw Miss Carithers alive was Walter SIPE, proprietor of the Walt's Chili Parlor and Barbecue on the Barrett road, who went to the Carithers home Friday morning to purchase eggs for use in his barbecue stand as had been his custom for a number of years. At that time Mr. Sipe said that Miss Carithers did not appear or act any different to him than she had on any other of his trips there to make purchases.
Miss Bess Keel stated this morning that she talked over the telephone to Miss Carithers Friday afternoon at which time she said that she had been unable to sleep for the past three nights. Miss Keel said that she was positive that Miss Carithers had not intended to commit suicide when she retired Saturday night as she had washed a number of pieces of clothing and they were hanging in the kitchen to dry.
Miss Carithers had been in ill health for over three years caused by leakage of the heart. Those who knew her best said that she permitted minor things to worry her condierably. Some of her friends say that the cutting of the beautiful shade trees in front of the Carithers home for the right of way for State Road 14 had cause her considerable worry and sorrow.
Others say that on Thanksgiving Day and the days which followed until the time of her death she appeared morose and all attributed this to the fact that just a year ago on Thanksgiving her father was buried. Miss Carithers had cared for him almost entirely alone for six years during which period her parent was bedridden most of the time. Others say that Miss Carithers imagined many times at night that persons were attempting to steal chickens and other articles from the farm at which time she would open a window and fire a revolver into the air several times. The revolver which Miss Carithers used to kill herself she kept on a chair at the side of her cot or under her pillow.
Another theory advanced for the suicide is that Miss Carithers feared a blackmailing man who has made a practice of preying upon widows and maids who lived alone in this section of the state. His game was to call women at all times of the night and threaten them if they did not give him money he would cause them harm. This man who is known to have called Miss Carithers on several occasions last summer is now doing time on the penal farm, having been sent from a county west of Fulton.
His term on the farm was about over and some think that Miss Carithers knew this and feared that he would again try to harass and blackmail her. Relatives when asked today if Miss Carithers had ever told them of the blackmailer said that she had never confided in them about him. Miss Carithers had refused offers made by her brothers and sisters to live with them saying she much preferred to live alone at the old home. Miss Carithers was one of the wealthiest women in the county.
Sarah Louise [CARITHERS], daughter of Hiram and Melissa (COLLINS) CARITHERS was born on a farm northwest of Rochester, now the site of the Kentucky Stock farm, on July sixth, 1880 and her entire life had been spent in this county.
Miss Carithers was a graduate of the Rochester College and was a member of the Baptist Church in this city. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Fred MOORE, of Logansport, Mrs. Walter BROOKER, of near Bruce Lake; two brothers, Albert CARITHERS, of Argos, and Franklin E. CARITHERS, east of Rochester.
Funeral services will be held from the Carithers home at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Daniel PERRY pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in charge. The services will be private. The body will be interred in the mausoleum at the side of Miss Carrithers' father and mother.
SOURCE:
Fulton County Indiana Obituaries - 1929
by Jean C. and Wendell C. Tombaugh
Published in The Rochester News-Sentinel
Monday, December 9, 1929
Marking the seventh tragic death in Fulton county within three weeks the body of Miss Louise CARITHERS, aged 49, who had shot herself through the heart with a 32 caliber revolver, was found shortly aftr 9 o'clock Sunday night at the Carithers home two miles east of this city on the Barrett road, where she lived alone by her cousins Solomon [KEEL], Stella [KEEL] and Bess KEEL. Despondency over ill health and melancholia caused by the fact that she lived alone are advanced as the reason for her suicide.
The body of Miss Carithers was found after Nick ROBBINS, who lives in a cottage at Lake Manitou across the road from the Carithers farm home notified the Keels after he had received no answers to his calls at 7:30 Sunday evening when he went to the house after he had failed to see Miss Carithers around the yard at her home during the day and because the lights in the lower part of the house burned all day Sunday.
Solomon, Bess and Stella Keel drove to the Carithers home after they had been called by Mr. Robbins. Receiving no response to their knocks or calls and finding all of the doors locked, the Keels called Sheriff Ora CLARK. Sheriff Clark then notified Coroner A. E. STINSON and the two officials drove to the Carithers home. When they received no answers to their calls they broke in the door on the east side of the house.
The body of Miss Carithers was found on a cot in the living room. She was undressed and from appearances had just retired. The revolver which she used was found clasped tightly between her hands, the trigger guard around one of her fingers. The hands were powder burned which proved that Miss Carithers had killed herself. The bullet had passed directly through the heart. In order to place the mouth of the revolver over her heart Miss Carithers had pulled her night dress down in front.
Coroner Stinson and the Keels notified the immediate relatives of Miss Carithers who came to the farm home and ordered the body removed to a local undertaking parlor where it was prepared for burial. Coroner A. E. Stinson has not as yet filed his verdict in the death of Miss Carithers but has indicated that he will declare it was caused by an act on the part of Miss Carithers. Death according to Coroner Stinson had occurred 24 hours before the body was found.
The last person who saw Miss Carithers alive was Walter SIPE, proprietor of the Walt's Chili Parlor and Barbecue on the Barrett road, who went to the Carithers home Friday morning to purchase eggs for use in his barbecue stand as had been his custom for a number of years. At that time Mr. Sipe said that Miss Carithers did not appear or act any different to him than she had on any other of his trips there to make purchases.
Miss Bess Keel stated this morning that she talked over the telephone to Miss Carithers Friday afternoon at which time she said that she had been unable to sleep for the past three nights. Miss Keel said that she was positive that Miss Carithers had not intended to commit suicide when she retired Saturday night as she had washed a number of pieces of clothing and they were hanging in the kitchen to dry.
Miss Carithers had been in ill health for over three years caused by leakage of the heart. Those who knew her best said that she permitted minor things to worry her condierably. Some of her friends say that the cutting of the beautiful shade trees in front of the Carithers home for the right of way for State Road 14 had cause her considerable worry and sorrow.
Others say that on Thanksgiving Day and the days which followed until the time of her death she appeared morose and all attributed this to the fact that just a year ago on Thanksgiving her father was buried. Miss Carithers had cared for him almost entirely alone for six years during which period her parent was bedridden most of the time. Others say that Miss Carithers imagined many times at night that persons were attempting to steal chickens and other articles from the farm at which time she would open a window and fire a revolver into the air several times. The revolver which Miss Carithers used to kill herself she kept on a chair at the side of her cot or under her pillow.
Another theory advanced for the suicide is that Miss Carithers feared a blackmailing man who has made a practice of preying upon widows and maids who lived alone in this section of the state. His game was to call women at all times of the night and threaten them if they did not give him money he would cause them harm. This man who is known to have called Miss Carithers on several occasions last summer is now doing time on the penal farm, having been sent from a county west of Fulton.
His term on the farm was about over and some think that Miss Carithers knew this and feared that he would again try to harass and blackmail her. Relatives when asked today if Miss Carithers had ever told them of the blackmailer said that she had never confided in them about him. Miss Carithers had refused offers made by her brothers and sisters to live with them saying she much preferred to live alone at the old home. Miss Carithers was one of the wealthiest women in the county.
Sarah Louise [CARITHERS], daughter of Hiram and Melissa (COLLINS) CARITHERS was born on a farm northwest of Rochester, now the site of the Kentucky Stock farm, on July sixth, 1880 and her entire life had been spent in this county.
Miss Carithers was a graduate of the Rochester College and was a member of the Baptist Church in this city. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Fred MOORE, of Logansport, Mrs. Walter BROOKER, of near Bruce Lake; two brothers, Albert CARITHERS, of Argos, and Franklin E. CARITHERS, east of Rochester.
Funeral services will be held from the Carithers home at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Daniel PERRY pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in charge. The services will be private. The body will be interred in the mausoleum at the side of Miss Carrithers' father and mother.
SOURCE:
Fulton County Indiana Obituaries - 1929
by Jean C. and Wendell C. Tombaugh
Monday, December 9, 1929
Marking the seventh tragic death in Fulton county within three weeks the body of Miss Louise CARITHERS, aged 49, who had shot herself through the heart with a 32 caliber revolver, was found shortly aftr 9 o'clock Sunday night at the Carithers home two miles east of this city on the Barrett road, where she lived alone by her cousins Solomon [KEEL], Stella [KEEL] and Bess KEEL. Despondency over ill health and melancholia caused by the fact that she lived alone are advanced as the reason for her suicide.
The body of Miss Carithers was found after Nick ROBBINS, who lives in a cottage at Lake Manitou across the road from the Carithers farm home notified the Keels after he had received no answers to his calls at 7:30 Sunday evening when he went to the house after he had failed to see Miss Carithers around the yard at her home during the day and because the lights in the lower part of the house burned all day Sunday.
Solomon, Bess and Stella Keel drove to the Carithers home after they had been called by Mr. Robbins. Receiving no response to their knocks or calls and finding all of the doors locked, the Keels called Sheriff Ora CLARK. Sheriff Clark then notified Coroner A. E. STINSON and the two officials drove to the Carithers home. When they received no answers to their calls they broke in the door on the east side of the house.
The body of Miss Carithers was found on a cot in the living room. She was undressed and from appearances had just retired. The revolver which she used was found clasped tightly between her hands, the trigger guard around one of her fingers. The hands were powder burned which proved that Miss Carithers had killed herself. The bullet had passed directly through the heart. In order to place the mouth of the revolver over her heart Miss Carithers had pulled her night dress down in front.
Coroner Stinson and the Keels notified the immediate relatives of Miss Carithers who came to the farm home and ordered the body removed to a local undertaking parlor where it was prepared for burial. Coroner A. E. Stinson has not as yet filed his verdict in the death of Miss Carithers but has indicated that he will declare it was caused by an act on the part of Miss Carithers. Death according to Coroner Stinson had occurred 24 hours before the body was found.
The last person who saw Miss Carithers alive was Walter SIPE, proprietor of the Walt's Chili Parlor and Barbecue on the Barrett road, who went to the Carithers home Friday morning to purchase eggs for use in his barbecue stand as had been his custom for a number of years. At that time Mr. Sipe said that Miss Carithers did not appear or act any different to him than she had on any other of his trips there to make purchases.
Miss Bess Keel stated this morning that she talked over the telephone to Miss Carithers Friday afternoon at which time she said that she had been unable to sleep for the past three nights. Miss Keel said that she was positive that Miss Carithers had not intended to commit suicide when she retired Saturday night as she had washed a number of pieces of clothing and they were hanging in the kitchen to dry.
Miss Carithers had been in ill health for over three years caused by leakage of the heart. Those who knew her best said that she permitted minor things to worry her condierably. Some of her friends say that the cutting of the beautiful shade trees in front of the Carithers home for the right of way for State Road 14 had cause her considerable worry and sorrow.
Others say that on Thanksgiving Day and the days which followed until the time of her death she appeared morose and all attributed this to the fact that just a year ago on Thanksgiving her father was buried. Miss Carithers had cared for him almost entirely alone for six years during which period her parent was bedridden most of the time. Others say that Miss Carithers imagined many times at night that persons were attempting to steal chickens and other articles from the farm at which time she would open a window and fire a revolver into the air several times. The revolver which Miss Carithers used to kill herself she kept on a chair at the side of her cot or under her pillow.
Another theory advanced for the suicide is that Miss Carithers feared a blackmailing man who has made a practice of preying upon widows and maids who lived alone in this section of the state. His game was to call women at all times of the night and threaten them if they did not give him money he would cause them harm. This man who is known to have called Miss Carithers on several occasions last summer is now doing time on the penal farm, having been sent from a county west of Fulton.
His term on the farm was about over and some think that Miss Carithers knew this and feared that he would again try to harass and blackmail her. Relatives when asked today if Miss Carithers had ever told them of the blackmailer said that she had never confided in them about him. Miss Carithers had refused offers made by her brothers and sisters to live with them saying she much preferred to live alone at the old home. Miss Carithers was one of the wealthiest women in the county.
Sarah Louise [CARITHERS], daughter of Hiram and Melissa (COLLINS) CARITHERS was born on a farm northwest of Rochester, now the site of the Kentucky Stock farm, on July sixth, 1880 and her entire life had been spent in this county.
Miss Carithers was a graduate of the Rochester College and was a member of the Baptist Church in this city. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Fred MOORE, of Logansport, Mrs. Walter BROOKER, of near Bruce Lake; two brothers, Albert CARITHERS, of Argos, and Franklin E. CARITHERS, east of Rochester.
Funeral services will be held from the Carithers home at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Daniel PERRY pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in charge. The services will be private. The body will be interred in the mausoleum at the side of Miss Carrithers' father and mother.
SOURCE:
Fulton County Indiana Obituaries - 1929
by Jean C. and Wendell C. Tombaugh
Gravesite Details
This person was originally interred in the Rochester Mausoleum. In April 1971, 124 people interred in the Mausoleum were removed to this section of the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The cemetery lists this section as 'Burials from Mausoleum'.
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