Wilma Rosella Barrett (1911-1930)

BARRETT, BURROUGHS, CHISMAN

Posted By: CJeanealogy (email)
Date: 5/22/2022 at 21:41:30

Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette Friday January 17, 1930
"Tired of it all" and despondent over a waning love affair, Mrs. Wilma Barrett, 18, 1281[sic] Eighth avenue, Marion, ended her life with gas in a room at the Royal hotel, 217 South Third street, last night.
The girl came to the hotel about 9 p.m. and asked for room 20, B. Bascom, the hotel manager, said she had stayed at the hotel several times before. She had always expressed a preference for room 19, he said, but refused to take that room last night when asked if she wanted it. It was later discovered that room 19 has a transom, whereas room 20 has none. She registered at the hotel under the name of Winona Wilson, city.
When Bascom showed the girl to her room last night, she asked him if he had a piece of paper and a pencil, saying she wished to write a letter. He provided her with therm. She was sitting on the bed smoking a cigaret when he left the room.
About midnight, other guests in the hotel smelled gas and, on investigating found that it was coming from room 20. They called the manager. When he tried the door he found the keyhole stuffed with paper. Although the light in the room was turned on, the girl did not answer his calls. Looking through the keyhole after punching out the paper, he could see her lying across the bed. He then forced the door open. The gas was turned on.
The police was notified and Sergeant Stolba and Patrolmen Marshall and Simon were sent to investigate. With two men from Turner's mortuary, they attempted to revive the girl with a lungmotor for more than an hour but without success. Coroner R.A. Vorpahl was called and pronounced dead. The body was taken to Turner's mortuary pending identification.
The girl left a note, which the coroner said referred to several men, one of whom the note said, "doesn't love me any more." In the note, the girl said she was called "Babe," "Half-pint," and other nicknames. The note led to her identification. Her father is Roger Burroughs of Marion.
Mrs. Barrett's husband O.W. Barrett, was killed in an automobile accident near Springville, two years ago next spring. She is survived by her mother and father, an 18-months-old son, Olin, jr.; a brother, William, who is in the navy; and a sister, Ruth who lives at home.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21945961
 

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