Vermelia C. Steinbaugh Snyder 1847-1905

SNYDER, STEINBAUGH, WEIR

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/22/2010 at 16:07:28

Commits Suicide
Mrs. A. C. Snyder Ends Her Life by Taking Strychnine
Was in Poor Health
Act Probably Committed in Fit of Temporary Insanity

Mrs. Vermelia C. Snyder, wife of Alfred C. Snyder, residing north of the city, ended her life last Thursday [October 12, 1905] morning by taking strychnine.

Her husband and two sons, Henry and Fletcher, had left home early in the morning to go the J. W. Hayden farm near Wallingford where Mr. Snyder had purchased some cattle and hogs the day previous. About 9 o’clock Mrs. Snyder called up her daughter, Mrs. M. R. Weir, who resides near Eagle lake over the phone. She told Mrs. Weir that she was not feeling well and was going to do something for which she might be sorry. Her daughter, fearing that her mother was about to take her life, sent her husband to the Snyder place at once. When he arrived he was unable to find Mrs. Snyder in the house or about the premises and went to the F. H. Lee place, a short distance away, thinking perhaps the Snyder boys were there helping with the threshing. He did not find them, however, as they accompanied their father to Wallingford, and he then went to P. McKibben’s just across the road from the Snyder place. He informed Mr. McKibben that he feared Mrs. Snyder had taken her life and thought perhaps she had drowned herself as she could not be found about the premises. They started for the river but Mr. Weir stopped at the Snyder place to leave his overcoat. When he entered the house he found Mrs. Snyder lying on the floor near the lounge in one of the living rooms. She was alive but unconscious. A physician was called from Estherville but before he arrived Mrs. Snyder had passed away. Her death occurred about 10 o’clock. Mr. Snyder and his sons did not reach home until after her death. The coroner did not deem it necessary to hold an inquest. Mrs. Snyder left a note disposing of her personal property and trinkets but did not give any reason for her act. She had been in poor health for some time and it is likely that she had become despondent and committed the act in a fit of temporary insanity.

Mrs. Snyder, whose maiden name was Vermelia C. Steinbaugh, was born at Rob Roy, Fountain county, Indiana, March 4, 1847. In 1869 she married Alfred C. Snyder and the couple moved to a farm near Paxton, Illinois, where they resided until 1891, when they moved to their present home north of Estherville. Three children survive: Effie J., wife of M. R. Weir of Emmet township, and two sons, Henry and Fletcher, who reside at home.

The funeral services, which were largely attended, were held at the home Saturday morning at 10 o’clock, being conducted by Rev. T. W. Cole, of the Methodist Episcopal church. The remains were interred in Oak Hill cemetery. The deceased was an excellent woman and leaves many friends throughout the county who will be grieved to learn of the sad and tragic ending of her life.

Mr. Snyder and the children desire through the Enterprise to express sincere thanks to their friends for assistance and sympathy in their hour of sorrow. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, October 18, 1905)

Mrs. A. C. Snyder Suicides
“Goodbye Effie, I am going to put an end to my life. I am going to take poison, goodbye,” said Mrs. A. C. Snyder over the rural phone on last Thursday morning to her daughter, Mrs. M. R. Weir, who lives four miles north of the Snyder farm. Knowing that Mr. Snyder and two sons were away from home, Mr. Weir hitched up his team and drove as fast as he could to the Snyder home where he found Mrs. Snyder in an unconscious condition and she passed away in a very few moments. She had taken strychnine. Mr. Weir at once telephoned Dr. C. E. Birney, the coroner, who hurried to the Snyder home. After learning the particulars he thought it unnecessary to hold an inquest. She had left a note to her husband and also one to her daughter, but the contents are not known. Mrs. Snyder, it is said, had been despondent for some time but little did the family think that she would commit such an act. Apparently she was enjoying the best of health and the home had always been a happy one. Deceased was 58 years of age and had resided in Emmet county since March 1891, coming here from Paxton, Ill. Besides a husband, three children, Mrs. M. R. Weir, Henry Snyder and Fletcher Snyder are left to mourn her tragic death. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at ten o’clock at the family home and the remains interred in the Oak Hill cemetery. The many friends of the family in this vicinity extend their deepest sympathy in their hours of profound sorrow. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 18, 1905)

Committed Suicide
Mrs. A. C. Snyder, who lives one mile north of town, committed suicide last Thursday by taking poison. No motive is given for the rash act except despondency, she having had a partial stroke of paralysis a few years ago. The funeral was held from the residence Saturday morning, Rev. Cole of the M.E. church preaching the sermon. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery. Deceased was 58 years of age and leaves a husband and three children, Mrs. M. R. Weir, Fletcher Snyder and Henry Snyder to mourn her untimely death. She had resided in this county since 1891, having come from Paxton, Ill. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 18, 1905)