Mrs. Thomas Harrington

HARRINGTON, BRIGGS

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/5/2014 at 09:23:54

FINDS WIFE DEAD IN THE KITCHEN AT MIDNIGHT HOUR

THOMAS HARRINGTON ENTERS ROOM TO MAKE STARTLING DISCOVERY GAS JETS WERE PARTLY OPEN.

Life Had Been Extinct for Some Time Upon Arrival of Physicians.

Mrs. Thomas Harrington, residing above the Boston Meat market on the northeast corner of Harrison and Locust streets was found dead in the kitchen by her husband last evening. She was lying near the gas range, the jets of which were partly open. Dr. T.W. Kemmerer was called, but pronounced life extinct for some time. A coroner's inquest will be held to determine whether Mrs. Harrington met death through an accident or not.

Mrs. Harrington was well known in Davenport and many friends will mourn her passing. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock with services at St. Anthony's church.

When Thomas Harrington reached his home last night he received a terrible shock at finding the body of his wife lying in the kitchen beside the gas range with life extinct.

Mr. Harrington had been out attending a lodge meeting and reached home about 1:30 o'clock last night. Upon entering the room usually occupied by himself and wife he did not find her. Not finding her in any of the living rooms he entered the kitchen. He saw his wife's body lying on the floor beside the gas range. There was a strong odor of gas in the room.

Mr. Harrington picked his wife up and carried her to the window which he threw open for the purpose of getting fresh air. Seeing the futility of his own efforts he ran hastily to the residence of Dr. T.W. Kemmerer, who lives but a few doors distant, and asked his aid. Dr. Kemmerer went at once to the house and applied restoratives and resorted to artificial respiration but to no avail. Meanwhile he sent Mr. Harrington for Dr. A.W. Bowman, who also responded promptly, and both physicians did all that was possible to restore life. Their efforts produced no result as no life remained in the body. Coroner Lambach was notified and an inquest will be held this evening at the home.
There are conflicting theories as to how Mrs. Harrington came to her death. The family things she got up in the night to see relief from a severe sick headache from which she was suffering, and that while in the kitchen she fainted and in doing so fell beside the stove. In falling she struck the valves which control the flow of gas, and turned them, thus turning on the gas, which prevented her from recovering and slowly asphyxiated her.

Another theory is that in attempting to light the gas she fainted, and was suffocated before recovering. This theory is substantiated by the fact that the tea kettle was partially in the range, and though set down hastily and a basin which Mrs. Harrington was accustomed to use, was found lying on the floor by her side. She had been troubled with a severe sick headache for several days and it was not unusual for her to go into the kitchen during the night to get hot water.

A pillow was found on the floor near the door of the oven and this gave rise to the rumor that Mrs. Harrington had committed suicide, but no importance is attached to this by her friends, as there was no possible reason for such an act on her part. She was of a happy disposition, and was contented with her home.

Mrs. Harrington was born in Pleasant Valley, Scott county, June 20, 1878, and is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Elberdo Briggs. In 1895 the family removed to Davenport and June 20, 1896, she was married to Thomas H. Harrington of this city, who is foreman of the painting department at the Rock Island arsenal. The married life of the couple had been singularly happy and the sudden death of his wife has prostrated Mr. Harrington. She had won the love of all the members of Mr. Harrington's family and his parents and brothers and sister feel keenly the death of their brother's wife.

Besides the mother, the surviving relatives are Mr. and Mrs. Michael Harrington, Joseph, William, Michael, Jr., and Frank Harrington, Mrs. Mary Fisher and Miss Margaret Harrington, all brothers and sisters of Mr. Harrington.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home, with services at 2:30 at Sacred Heart cathedral. The interment will be in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

Source: Source: Tri-City Evening Star, Davenport, Ia., 20 Jan 1905, p. 2.