Baker, Sarah, died 1903

BAKER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/15/2011 at 07:57:08

Hawarden Independent of Apr 14, 1903

Sarah Baker Ends Her Life by Taking Carbolic Acid.

Sarah Baker, the sixteen-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Baker, residing in the north east part of this city, committed suicide about four o'clock Tuesday afternoon by taking carbolic acid. What caused her to commit the awful deed of taking her own youg life, just as it was budding in to the brightness of womanhood, is a mystery alike to her parents and friends. She had assited her mother cheerfully with the household duties during the day, with nothing unusual transpiring to indicate what she had in contemplation. Her mother went to a neightbors for a few moments and upon returning smelled the strong fumes of the acid. Fearing some of the smaller children had gotten hold of the bottle which she knew was kept in the house, she began a search of the premises.

Upon going upstairs she was horror stricken to find her daughter lying unconscious upon the bed with partially emptied tell-tale bottle of poisonous, fiery liquid standing near by. The quantity taken must have redered her unconscious almost as soon as swallowed as her mother had been absent but a monent when she returned ad found the dreadful act done.
Dr. McCarty was immediately summoned by nedical aid was of no avail and she passed away in a few house. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Methodist Church.

(Her parents were Julius John Baker and Anna Quick. Her parents obit sheets are on line, with mention of the rest of the family.)
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COMMITS SUICIDE.
Sarah Baker Ends Her Life by Taking Carbolic Acid

Sarah Baker, the sixteen-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Baker, residing in the north east part of this city, committed suicide about four o'clock Tuesday afternoon [April 14] by taking carbolic acid. What caused her to commit the awful deed of taking her own young life, just as it was budding into the brightness of womanhood, is a mystery alike to her parents and friends. She had assisted her mother cheerfully with the household duties during the day, with nothing unusual transpiring to indicate what she had in contemplation. Her mother went to a neighbors for a few moments and upon returning smelled the strong fumes of the acid. Fearing some of the smaller children had gotten hold of the bottle which she knew was kept in the house, she began a search of the premises. Upon going upstairs she was horror-stricken to find her daughter lying unconscious upon the bed with [the] partially emptied tell-tale bottle of poisonous, fiery liquid standing near by. The quantity taken must have rendered her unconscious almost as soon as swallowed as her mother had been absent but a moment shen she returned and found the dreadful act done. Dr. McCarty was immediately summoned but medical aid was of no avail and she passed away in a few hours. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Methodist church.

Source: Hawarden Independent, April 16, 1903.

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Sarah Baker the sixteen year old daughter of Jerry Baker of Hawarden committed suicide Tuesday by drinking carbolic acid. Premeditation is shown by the fact that she previously gave some of her belongings to a sister with the statement that she would not live long. A youthful love affair is said to be responsible for the deed. The poor deluded child was a daughter of respectable parents and good reputation.

Source: Alton Democrat, April 18, 1903.