BOOTHE, EUGENE & SARAH (1851-1923)

BOOTHE, CATTERMOLE, NOONEN, HARVEY

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 8/28/2015 at 10:48:16

May 4, 1923 - Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - Mr and Mrs Eugene J. Boothe, long time residents of Storm Lake, were found dead in bed, side by side, in their home at Fifth and Oneida streets early Wednesday. Both had been asphyxiated. The gas stove with jets wide open, told the sad story when Mrs. Allie Samsel, a neighbor, and others called by her, broke into the house. Mrs. Samsel had become suspicious when she noticed no signs of life at the Booth home. She began an investigation which led to the discovery of the dreadful tragedy.

Dr. H.E. Farnsworth, who was called, found that resuscitation was impossible. He was himself sickened by the fumes. Coroner Morton Hughes was summoned. After an examination, he stated that death was evidently premeditated on the part of Mrs. Boothe, and no inquest would be held. He removed the bodies to the Hughes mortuary.

The coroner's inquiry at the home led to the discovery of two notes left by Mrs. Boothe. One was addressed to her sister, Mrs. George Cattermole. The other Albert Tymeson, vice president of the Commercial Trust and Savings bank.

In the letters, the writer asked forgiveness and requested that the bodies be interred in the "new cemetery." She asked that the property be left to the son, Irving Boothe, who lives at Grundy Center and who is at present in a hospital at Iowa City.

Arrangements were made in the notes for paying the expenses of the funeral and burial from the family funds. Information was given as to where these funds were to be found. Mrs. Boothe in conclusion stated that she knew the Saviour would forgive her for the action she was taking. The notes were written on tablet paper with a lead pencil.

The exact time of the tragedy is not certain. One witness reported to Coroner Hughes that he passed the home near eleven o'clock Tuesday night and that Mrs. Boothe had not yet then retired. It is presumed that she was in an exceedingly despondent mood and that she wrote the notes late in the evening. According to the coroner's theory, she then placed rugs at the bottom of all doors except that leading into the bed room in which lay her husband, a paralytic since a stroke a year ago. Apparently, she turned on the gas and going into the bedroom, lay down beside her husband. Death probably came to both within a very short time. The tragic deaths came as a great shock to the relatives and friends in Storm Lake and vicinity where they have been long and favorably known.

Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian church at 2:30 Friday afternoon, Rev. McCormick will be in charge. The hour and place were decided upon the arrival of the son early Thursday.

So far as known Mr. Boothe had no relatives hereabouts. He had resided at Storm Lake for forty years and was formerly a painter and paper hanger. He worked up until the time he was stricken last May. Mrs. Boothe leaves to mourn, a sister, Mrs. George Cattermole, a brother Joseph Seaton both of Storm Lake, a sister, Mrs. C.B. Noonen of Council Bluffs who is expected for the funeral and another sister, Mrs. Harvey of Los Angeles who will not be able to attend.