The Waterloo Times
Thursday, September 6, 1894 
Suicide of Miss Mary Barker

Wednesday afternoon of last week the report came to town that Miss Mary Barker, in 
New Design precinct, had committed suicide by taking Rough on Rats.  Coroner Sennott 
went down and held an inquest, but nothing definite as to the cause of the rash act was 
learned.  At noon she had some words with her brother George about coming home late 
to dinner-he having been away.  After the meal George went out and put a load of wheat 
on his wagon, then returned to the house and not seeing his sister asked where she had gone.  
His father told him she had gone up stairs.  George went up and found the door to her room 
locked.  He broke it in and found Mary in the act of taking the poison, and snatching the 
glass from her hand, asked her what she was doing.  She replied that she was taking poison, 
and had already swallowed some of it.  He rushed out and called a neighbor lady who 
hastened to the house and administered antidotes, but without avail as she had swallowed 
enough to accomplish her purpose and died before a doctor could be summoned.  When 
asked why she had done the deed, she made no statement further than that she had no family, 
or anything to care to live for.  These are the facts in the case as we learned from Dr. Sennott.  
The brother, as soon as the inquest was over, put his revolver in his pocked and disappeared 
and was not heard from for several days, when it was learned that he was in St. Louis.

The Barkers are a highly respected family in the community.  The old gentleman, Lewis Barker, 
was one of the pioneers of the county.  He is upwards of 74 years of age, and is now alone in
his age and infirmity, being almost blind, his having been the care and comfort of his declining 
years since the death of his wife.

Miss Barker was aged 32 years, 11 months and 7 days.

The following tribute to Miss Barker worth is paid by one of her friends:

“What a sad thing it is to die and leave this world as she did, leaving this world as she did, 
leaving an aged father nearly blind and helpless – one who was loved by all.  In time of 
trouble Mary was the first to come; always ready to help the sick.  How dear she was to 
her neighbors.  She has gone never to return, but she will always be loved and her name 
and deeds of kindness will never be forgotten.  It is often said a true friend is hard to find, 
but she was one.  Any trust you put in Mary never was betrayed.
									A Friend.

Submitted by Jean Jung