FOUND BODY OF MISSING GIRL AFTER STORM
River Yields Up Remains of Leona Brackevelt, Gone 10 Days From Moline Home.
The mystery which has surrounded the disappearance 10 days ago of Leona Brackevelt the pretty 17-year old Moline girl who loved against her parents’ wishes, was dispelled by last night’s storm which brought her body to the surface of the river. It was found early this morning by Harrison Ravens, 601 Fifth avenue, who was fishing when he noticed something floating in the middle of the power pool. He had read the story of Leona and rowed out to the floating object.
Until today Leona’s father, Jules Brackevelt, 327 Tenth avenue, Moline, had protested to Chief Ben DeJaeger and to friends that Leona would not take her own life, that he knew his daughter was visiting at the home of some friend.
Objected To Nationality.
Leona was in love with Harry Ward of East Moline. Mr. Ward returned the girl’s love but her parents are natives of Belgium. They wished their daughter to keep company and marry a Belgian, or at least a man of Belgian descent. Harry Ward was not a Belgian.
Leona had returned home a little later than usual on the evening of May 9, having spent the evening with her East Moline sweetheart. Her father chided her about the late hour. He claims he did not mention Ward.
Leona left as usual for the factory at Fourth avenue and Seventh street, next morning. There she met Flossie File, a Rock Island girl whom she had promised to aid in finding employment. They left the factory a few minutes later walking west on Sixth street. Leona gave her friend a note to Ward, embraced her, and disappeared. Police believe she walked directly to the river and threw herself in.
Verdict Is Suicide.
A coroner’s jury returned the verdict today that Miss Brackevelt met her death by drowning May 10 in the Mississippi river and that she went into the water with suicidal intent while despondent.
She was born in Belgium June 5, 1903, and came to this country with her parents 10 years ago. The family has resided in Moline since that time. Besides her parents she is survived by two sisters, Clementine and Mary, and a brother, Albert.
The Rock Island Argus
May 19, 1920
====================
Thanks for this additional info, Susan (#47809747)!
The Evening Courier and Reporter, Waterloo, IA
May 20, 1920
Davenport, Iowa, May 20—Mystery surrounding the disappearance of Leona Brackevelt, pretty seventeen year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jules Brackevelt, Moline, who left home over a week ago, despondent because her parents objected to her choice of a lover, was solved yesterday when fishermen running their lines in the pool near the island side of the river at the foot of Sixth Street, Moline, found the body floating in the river.
The parents of the girl were notified by Chief De Jaeger. They were prostrated with the news of their daughter’s death.
Left Note to Lover
Miss Brackevelt was last seen alive at Sixth Street the carline, Moline, a week ago Monday, where she bade two Rock Island girls Goodbye. “Goodbye, I may never see you again,” she said as she kissed one girl, just before she and her mother boarded the car. She gave the girl a note for the man with whom she had been keeping company, Harry Ward, 30 years old, cook at the J.J. Grier Hotel in Silvis. In the note she said, “Goodbye, I will never see you again. God bless you and your work.”
Father Gives Reprimand
Attention of the police was first called to the girl’s disappearance Monday evening. She had been out with the Silvis man Sunday evening and when she arrived home her father reprimanded her, saying she should keep company with a man of the same descent, Belgian. She said nothing to her father that night, but went to bed.
She slept with her sister Clementine. During the night, Clementine awoke and found Leona awake, crying softly. In the morning Leona left the house at 7 a.m. for work. She had been a very neat girl but did not take any care of her appearance that day. She refused to eat her breakfast.
Just before leaving the house, she took a lavallier from her neck and gave it to her mother, telling her to keep it. She kissed her mother goodbye three times, but never intimated that she was going to end her life. On the way to work, she told her sister who was on her way to work at the same place that she was to meet a girl from Rock Island and her mother. She said she was going to get the jobs at the button factory, where they were employed.
They met the girl and her mother and all four went to the factory but the girl and her mother did not get jobs. “I will walk to the carline with you,” she told the girl at the carline. She kissed her goodbye and said “I may never see you again,” as she burst into tears. “Give this note to my friend in Silvis.” That is the last time Leona was seen alive.
River Yields Up Remains of Leona Brackevelt, Gone 10 Days From Moline Home.
The mystery which has surrounded the disappearance 10 days ago of Leona Brackevelt the pretty 17-year old Moline girl who loved against her parents’ wishes, was dispelled by last night’s storm which brought her body to the surface of the river. It was found early this morning by Harrison Ravens, 601 Fifth avenue, who was fishing when he noticed something floating in the middle of the power pool. He had read the story of Leona and rowed out to the floating object.
Until today Leona’s father, Jules Brackevelt, 327 Tenth avenue, Moline, had protested to Chief Ben DeJaeger and to friends that Leona would not take her own life, that he knew his daughter was visiting at the home of some friend.
Objected To Nationality.
Leona was in love with Harry Ward of East Moline. Mr. Ward returned the girl’s love but her parents are natives of Belgium. They wished their daughter to keep company and marry a Belgian, or at least a man of Belgian descent. Harry Ward was not a Belgian.
Leona had returned home a little later than usual on the evening of May 9, having spent the evening with her East Moline sweetheart. Her father chided her about the late hour. He claims he did not mention Ward.
Leona left as usual for the factory at Fourth avenue and Seventh street, next morning. There she met Flossie File, a Rock Island girl whom she had promised to aid in finding employment. They left the factory a few minutes later walking west on Sixth street. Leona gave her friend a note to Ward, embraced her, and disappeared. Police believe she walked directly to the river and threw herself in.
Verdict Is Suicide.
A coroner’s jury returned the verdict today that Miss Brackevelt met her death by drowning May 10 in the Mississippi river and that she went into the water with suicidal intent while despondent.
She was born in Belgium June 5, 1903, and came to this country with her parents 10 years ago. The family has resided in Moline since that time. Besides her parents she is survived by two sisters, Clementine and Mary, and a brother, Albert.
The Rock Island Argus
May 19, 1920
====================
Thanks for this additional info, Susan (#47809747)!
The Evening Courier and Reporter, Waterloo, IA
May 20, 1920
Davenport, Iowa, May 20—Mystery surrounding the disappearance of Leona Brackevelt, pretty seventeen year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jules Brackevelt, Moline, who left home over a week ago, despondent because her parents objected to her choice of a lover, was solved yesterday when fishermen running their lines in the pool near the island side of the river at the foot of Sixth Street, Moline, found the body floating in the river.
The parents of the girl were notified by Chief De Jaeger. They were prostrated with the news of their daughter’s death.
Left Note to Lover
Miss Brackevelt was last seen alive at Sixth Street the carline, Moline, a week ago Monday, where she bade two Rock Island girls Goodbye. “Goodbye, I may never see you again,” she said as she kissed one girl, just before she and her mother boarded the car. She gave the girl a note for the man with whom she had been keeping company, Harry Ward, 30 years old, cook at the J.J. Grier Hotel in Silvis. In the note she said, “Goodbye, I will never see you again. God bless you and your work.”
Father Gives Reprimand
Attention of the police was first called to the girl’s disappearance Monday evening. She had been out with the Silvis man Sunday evening and when she arrived home her father reprimanded her, saying she should keep company with a man of the same descent, Belgian. She said nothing to her father that night, but went to bed.
She slept with her sister Clementine. During the night, Clementine awoke and found Leona awake, crying softly. In the morning Leona left the house at 7 a.m. for work. She had been a very neat girl but did not take any care of her appearance that day. She refused to eat her breakfast.
Just before leaving the house, she took a lavallier from her neck and gave it to her mother, telling her to keep it. She kissed her mother goodbye three times, but never intimated that she was going to end her life. On the way to work, she told her sister who was on her way to work at the same place that she was to meet a girl from Rock Island and her mother. She said she was going to get the jobs at the button factory, where they were employed.
They met the girl and her mother and all four went to the factory but the girl and her mother did not get jobs. “I will walk to the carline with you,” she told the girl at the carline. She kissed her goodbye and said “I may never see you again,” as she burst into tears. “Give this note to my friend in Silvis.” That is the last time Leona was seen alive.
FOUND BODY OF MISSING GIRL AFTER STORM
River Yields Up Remains of Leona Brackevelt, Gone 10 Days From Moline Home.
The mystery which has surrounded the disappearance 10 days ago of Leona Brackevelt the pretty 17-year old Moline girl who loved against her parents’ wishes, was dispelled by last night’s storm which brought her body to the surface of the river. It was found early this morning by Harrison Ravens, 601 Fifth avenue, who was fishing when he noticed something floating in the middle of the power pool. He had read the story of Leona and rowed out to the floating object.
Until today Leona’s father, Jules Brackevelt, 327 Tenth avenue, Moline, had protested to Chief Ben DeJaeger and to friends that Leona would not take her own life, that he knew his daughter was visiting at the home of some friend.
Objected To Nationality.
Leona was in love with Harry Ward of East Moline. Mr. Ward returned the girl’s love but her parents are natives of Belgium. They wished their daughter to keep company and marry a Belgian, or at least a man of Belgian descent. Harry Ward was not a Belgian.
Leona had returned home a little later than usual on the evening of May 9, having spent the evening with her East Moline sweetheart. Her father chided her about the late hour. He claims he did not mention Ward.
Leona left as usual for the factory at Fourth avenue and Seventh street, next morning. There she met Flossie File, a Rock Island girl whom she had promised to aid in finding employment. They left the factory a few minutes later walking west on Sixth street. Leona gave her friend a note to Ward, embraced her, and disappeared. Police believe she walked directly to the river and threw herself in.
Verdict Is Suicide.
A coroner’s jury returned the verdict today that Miss Brackevelt met her death by drowning May 10 in the Mississippi river and that she went into the water with suicidal intent while despondent.
She was born in Belgium June 5, 1903, and came to this country with her parents 10 years ago. The family has resided in Moline since that time. Besides her parents she is survived by two sisters, Clementine and Mary, and a brother, Albert.
The Rock Island Argus
May 19, 1920
====================
Thanks for this additional info, Susan (#47809747)!
The Evening Courier and Reporter, Waterloo, IA
May 20, 1920
Davenport, Iowa, May 20—Mystery surrounding the disappearance of Leona Brackevelt, pretty seventeen year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jules Brackevelt, Moline, who left home over a week ago, despondent because her parents objected to her choice of a lover, was solved yesterday when fishermen running their lines in the pool near the island side of the river at the foot of Sixth Street, Moline, found the body floating in the river.
The parents of the girl were notified by Chief De Jaeger. They were prostrated with the news of their daughter’s death.
Left Note to Lover
Miss Brackevelt was last seen alive at Sixth Street the carline, Moline, a week ago Monday, where she bade two Rock Island girls Goodbye. “Goodbye, I may never see you again,” she said as she kissed one girl, just before she and her mother boarded the car. She gave the girl a note for the man with whom she had been keeping company, Harry Ward, 30 years old, cook at the J.J. Grier Hotel in Silvis. In the note she said, “Goodbye, I will never see you again. God bless you and your work.”
Father Gives Reprimand
Attention of the police was first called to the girl’s disappearance Monday evening. She had been out with the Silvis man Sunday evening and when she arrived home her father reprimanded her, saying she should keep company with a man of the same descent, Belgian. She said nothing to her father that night, but went to bed.
She slept with her sister Clementine. During the night, Clementine awoke and found Leona awake, crying softly. In the morning Leona left the house at 7 a.m. for work. She had been a very neat girl but did not take any care of her appearance that day. She refused to eat her breakfast.
Just before leaving the house, she took a lavallier from her neck and gave it to her mother, telling her to keep it. She kissed her mother goodbye three times, but never intimated that she was going to end her life. On the way to work, she told her sister who was on her way to work at the same place that she was to meet a girl from Rock Island and her mother. She said she was going to get the jobs at the button factory, where they were employed.
They met the girl and her mother and all four went to the factory but the girl and her mother did not get jobs. “I will walk to the carline with you,” she told the girl at the carline. She kissed her goodbye and said “I may never see you again,” as she burst into tears. “Give this note to my friend in Silvis.” That is the last time Leona was seen alive.
River Yields Up Remains of Leona Brackevelt, Gone 10 Days From Moline Home.
The mystery which has surrounded the disappearance 10 days ago of Leona Brackevelt the pretty 17-year old Moline girl who loved against her parents’ wishes, was dispelled by last night’s storm which brought her body to the surface of the river. It was found early this morning by Harrison Ravens, 601 Fifth avenue, who was fishing when he noticed something floating in the middle of the power pool. He had read the story of Leona and rowed out to the floating object.
Until today Leona’s father, Jules Brackevelt, 327 Tenth avenue, Moline, had protested to Chief Ben DeJaeger and to friends that Leona would not take her own life, that he knew his daughter was visiting at the home of some friend.
Objected To Nationality.
Leona was in love with Harry Ward of East Moline. Mr. Ward returned the girl’s love but her parents are natives of Belgium. They wished their daughter to keep company and marry a Belgian, or at least a man of Belgian descent. Harry Ward was not a Belgian.
Leona had returned home a little later than usual on the evening of May 9, having spent the evening with her East Moline sweetheart. Her father chided her about the late hour. He claims he did not mention Ward.
Leona left as usual for the factory at Fourth avenue and Seventh street, next morning. There she met Flossie File, a Rock Island girl whom she had promised to aid in finding employment. They left the factory a few minutes later walking west on Sixth street. Leona gave her friend a note to Ward, embraced her, and disappeared. Police believe she walked directly to the river and threw herself in.
Verdict Is Suicide.
A coroner’s jury returned the verdict today that Miss Brackevelt met her death by drowning May 10 in the Mississippi river and that she went into the water with suicidal intent while despondent.
She was born in Belgium June 5, 1903, and came to this country with her parents 10 years ago. The family has resided in Moline since that time. Besides her parents she is survived by two sisters, Clementine and Mary, and a brother, Albert.
The Rock Island Argus
May 19, 1920
====================
Thanks for this additional info, Susan (#47809747)!
The Evening Courier and Reporter, Waterloo, IA
May 20, 1920
Davenport, Iowa, May 20—Mystery surrounding the disappearance of Leona Brackevelt, pretty seventeen year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jules Brackevelt, Moline, who left home over a week ago, despondent because her parents objected to her choice of a lover, was solved yesterday when fishermen running their lines in the pool near the island side of the river at the foot of Sixth Street, Moline, found the body floating in the river.
The parents of the girl were notified by Chief De Jaeger. They were prostrated with the news of their daughter’s death.
Left Note to Lover
Miss Brackevelt was last seen alive at Sixth Street the carline, Moline, a week ago Monday, where she bade two Rock Island girls Goodbye. “Goodbye, I may never see you again,” she said as she kissed one girl, just before she and her mother boarded the car. She gave the girl a note for the man with whom she had been keeping company, Harry Ward, 30 years old, cook at the J.J. Grier Hotel in Silvis. In the note she said, “Goodbye, I will never see you again. God bless you and your work.”
Father Gives Reprimand
Attention of the police was first called to the girl’s disappearance Monday evening. She had been out with the Silvis man Sunday evening and when she arrived home her father reprimanded her, saying she should keep company with a man of the same descent, Belgian. She said nothing to her father that night, but went to bed.
She slept with her sister Clementine. During the night, Clementine awoke and found Leona awake, crying softly. In the morning Leona left the house at 7 a.m. for work. She had been a very neat girl but did not take any care of her appearance that day. She refused to eat her breakfast.
Just before leaving the house, she took a lavallier from her neck and gave it to her mother, telling her to keep it. She kissed her mother goodbye three times, but never intimated that she was going to end her life. On the way to work, she told her sister who was on her way to work at the same place that she was to meet a girl from Rock Island and her mother. She said she was going to get the jobs at the button factory, where they were employed.
They met the girl and her mother and all four went to the factory but the girl and her mother did not get jobs. “I will walk to the carline with you,” she told the girl at the carline. She kissed her goodbye and said “I may never see you again,” as she burst into tears. “Give this note to my friend in Silvis.” That is the last time Leona was seen alive.
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