Jennie Osgood (1902)

BRUCE, OSGOOD

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 2/19/2007 at 22:17:41

Winterset Madisonian, Thursday, July 10, 1902, page 1

Sad Death by Suicide

On the morning of July 4th this community was shocked to here (sic) of the death of Miss Jennie Osgood who lived on the Bluff road four miles west of Winterset. The family are of the most highly respected and well to do in the community. A sister of the deceased died last year from consumption, the dread of a similar fate probably unbalanced the young ladies (sic) mind. A more detailed account is given by her pastor, Rev. P. H. McDowell, elsewhere in this paper.

Jennie Osgood

On the night of July 3rd, Miss Jennie Osgood, who lived about four miles west of Winterset with her father and brother, ended her life by jumping into a well near the house. Her deed came without warning to her family and neighbors. Mrs. Robert Bruce, sister of the deceased, spent the afternoon of July 3rd visiting her sister. She seemed in usual spirits. Her father and brother retired for the night without a hint of what was to happen.

The brother arose first the next morning. Some carefully written notes lying on a table told the sad story.

If the reason for the deed is to be gathered from the notes we must judge that it was despondency caused from poor health together with a foreboding that she was to be the victim of a dread disease. To live would only be a burden to others. Hence she deemed death best. All that enters into such an act, the real state of the mind, this is beyond the reach of human knowledge.

On the afternoon of July 4th a brief service was held at the house conducted by Rev. P. H, McDowell. The relatives left on the evening train with the corpse for Carthage, Ill. This is their old home, and here the rest of the original family lives.

Jennie Osgood was born near Bently, Ill. Sept. 15th, 1881. She was converted when 14 years of age and untied with the Baptist Church of Carthage, Ill. As the ---- of her faith, she was conducting a Sunday School at the Beerbower school house. To her friends she was known as a sweet and unselfish Christian. - Rev. P. H. McDowell