Victoria Parcely (1912)

PARCELY

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:12

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, May 1, 1912
Page 8, Columns 2 & 3

KILLS HERSELF

Webster Township Girl Kills Herself in Des Moines

This Victoria Parsley of Winterset was found dead in her room at 614 Sixth avenue yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock with a gas jet in the room turned on full force. Judging from 2 notes left by Miss Parsley, she took her own life, believing that she had been wronged by a man whom she says is D. B. Smith.

The two notes found were written on the backs of envelopes, one being addressed to Miss Pearl E. Wagner of Decatur, Ill., and the other to The Register and Leader. Both notes mentioned Smith, and intimate that he has failed to keep a promise of some sort.

The note to Miss Wagner follows: “D. B. Smith wouldn’t do what he had promised - he has killed me. Victoria”

The other note which was addressed to The Register and Leader, was unsigned. It said: “D. B. Smith is the cause of my death as he disgraced me and put me in bad.”

Coroner Lee was called soon after the young woman’s body was found endeavored to locate D. B. Smith last night, but found a man with that name left Des Moines Saturday evening for Omaha. This man is said to be a salesman for the Omaha Sanitary company, which has an office at 130 Fourth street, in Des Moines, according to a printed address on one of the envelopes on the back of which a note was written.

It was rumored about the police station last night that Miss Parsley left another note addressed to her father, saying that she killed herself because Smith disgraced her and later refused to keep his promise to marry her, saying that he already was married. Coroner Lee denied the existence of such a note.

Miss Parsley, who was about 23 years old, had been in Des Moines several weeks looking for work. A letter of introduction to the manager of Younker Bros. store was found among her effects. It was signed by Loretta Brown. Miss Brown and Miss Parsley are said to have been close friends.

The Winterset girl secured her room at 614 Sixth avenue about 8 o’clock Saturday night. She went out that evening, and had not returned when the other roomers in the house and retired. They heard her moving about in her room yesterday morning. About 2 o’clock Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Mitchell, 610 Sixth avenue who were at their neighbor’s thought they smelled gas, and an investigation was made. The odor was traced to Miss Parsley’s room, and the door was broken in.

The girl was lying dead on the bed, although it was evident that she had been dead but a short time, as the body was still warm. The gas jet was found turned on and the windows were closed tightly. The police were notified and Police Surgeons Winnett and Earwood answered the call, but declared that the girl had been dead about half an hour when they arrived.

The corner probably will hold in inquest.

John Parsley, the father, who lives at Winterset, was notified and he and his wife will arrive in Des Moines early this morning to claim the body. – Register and Leader
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Coordinator's note: Transcribed as published, surname on parents' gravestone and her gravestone is "Parcely".

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