Caddie Olive (Winkler) Harris (1877-1928)

WINKLER, HARRIS, ROOT, MCQUILLEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/26/2012 at 20:35:05

From Nevada Journal April 16, 1928

TRAGIC DEATH OF NEVADA WOMAN THIS MORNING

MRS. CHAS. W. HARRIS SUCCUMBED TO SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS AT 11 O'CLOCK

Mrs. Chas. W. Harris, 55, is dead at her home 706 Lincoln avenue, here today as a result of self inflicted wounds, when she slashed herself across the throat, in an attempt to take her own life, Wednesday evening. She died at 11 o'clock today.

The news of the attempted suicide of Mrs. Harris came as a great chock to the people of Nevada and over the county, as few people had realized the condition of her mind and the danger of an attempt at self destruction.

Mrs. Harris had suffered a nervous breakdown about two years ago and since that time had had occasional melancholy spells in which her mind weakened and she had threatened during those spells to take her own life.

He had been especially melancholy during Wednesday and it was bout 8:00 in the evening while Mr. Harris and her aged father, O. A. Winkler, were sitting in the living room, that she was seen to enter the bath room.

She was heard praying in the bath room and it was shortly after this ceased, that they heard a terrifying shriek from her that told them their fears were probably realized.

Rushing in they found her lying upon the floor of the bathroom a razor lying nearby and blood gushing from a mutilated neck and throat.

Physicians were hurriedly called and although she lived for over 36 hours, there was never reason to hope that recovery was possible.

One wound, evidently fro the first slash of the razor, was from the left side entirely across the front of the throat and to under the right ear. Three other jagged slashes were on one side and four on the opposite and many of the nerves and veins, as well as the muscles and glands had been cut; but the jugular vein had not been severed.

Mrs. Harris, the wife of Charles W. Harris, supervisor, was a woman of any exceptional qualities and while her acquaintance was not wide, she was much admired by those who did know her.

The funeral services will be held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 3:30, after which interment will be in the Nevada cemetery.

Unknown newspaper

FUNERAL HELD FOR MRS. C. W. HARRIS

INTERMENT DEFERRED UNTIL WEDNESDAY PENDING ARRIVAL OF RELATIVES

The funeral services for Mrs. Chas. W. Harris, whose tragic death occurred at the family home, 706 Lincoln avenue, Friday forenoon, were held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 3:30.

The church was filled to its capacity with friends gathered from all parts of the county, and several from a distance, who had gathered to pay their last earthly tribute of respect to the departed and to offer sympathy and consolation to the husband and aged father in their hours of great affliction.

The services were in charge of her pastor, Rev. L. E. Watson and the music was furnished by a quartette consisting of C. H. Hall, A. J. Fawcett, Mrs. C. H. Hall and Mrs. Ansel Freeland with Mrs. Olson at the organ.

Because of the expected arrival Tuesday evening of relatives from California, interment was deferred until Wednesday afternoon at 3:30. Word of their coming was not received until too late to change the time of the funeral.

Those expected are Ruby Harris-Root, a daughter of Mr. Harris, Clayton Harris and Mrs. Bruce McQuillen, a brother and sister, all of California, who are expected here Tuesday evening.

Mrs. Harris had lived in Nevada since her marriage to Mr. Harris about 16 years ago. During that time she had made many warmn friends among her neighbors and the congregation of the church with which she had been a faithful worshipper. She was a woman who was devoted to her home and spent the most of the time there, where she enjoyed the companionship of her husband and her aged father. She was a woman of education and refinement, a talented musician and was devoted to religious work as one of her many splendid characteristics.

Her very tragic death, was much regretted by the community and the husband and father are tendered the sincere sympathy of the entire community.

The following obituary was prepared by her pastor and read at the funeral.

"Caddie Olive Harris; daughter of O. A. and Mary Winkler, was born April 6, 1877 near Rockport, Indiana, and died at her home in Nevda, April 13, 1928, age 55 years and seven days.

"She was married to Chas. W. Harris April 5th, 1912 at Huron, South Dakota.

"As a girl of twelve she joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and soon after moving to Nevada, she affiliated with the Methodist church of this place. She was a member of the Woman's Foreign and the Woman's Home Missionary Societies and of the Loyal Sisters' Sunday school class of this church. When she was well, she was a loyal devoted Christian woman, seeking first the kingdom of God, and an earnest worker in the ativities of her church.

"She was also a loyal member of the local chapter of the Daughters of Veterans.

"As a young woman she moved with her family from her old home in Indiana, to Colorado Springs. She was a talented musician and became a teacher of music. She continued in that profession until the time of her marriage.

"She leaves her husband, Mr. Chas. W. Harris, her aged father, Mr. O. A. Winkler and brother Walter Winkler, and in addition to these a number of other relatives and a very large circle of friends both in her church and in the community where where she lived. She will be greatly missed not only by her family but by all who knew her for the rule of her life was helpfulness to others.

"All join in praying the Heavenly Father's choicest blessings upon those who sorrow for her, and extending to them the deepest sympathy."

From Ames Tribune (?)

Funeral Services Are Held for Mrs. Charles W. Harris

Tribune's County News Service

NEVADA, April 16.--Funeral services held here Sunday at the First Methodist church for Mrs. Charles W. Harris, who died Friday, were largely attended. The body will lie at the Bishop Funeral home until interment in the Nevada cemetery Wednesday. The burial service was delayed until relatives from California arrive here.

Mrs. Harris died of a wound which she inflicted upon herself Wednesday night in a period of despondency. Her health had not been good for about two years.

She was born in Indiana in 1877, and when a young woman went with her family to Colorado Springs. She was an excellent musician, and taught music until her marriage to Mr. Harris in Huron, S. D. in 1912.

She leaves a husband, who is a supervisor of Story county, her father, O. A. Winkler, veteran of the Civil war, and brother, Walter Winkler.