HASSMAN, Mrs. Charles (Mercina)

HASSMAN, RUARK

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/5/2014 at 06:54:02

SUICIDE.

On the evening of September 5, Dr. G.R. Neff was called to the home of John McKeehan, near Big Mound, to attend Mrs. Charles Hassman, who had taken strychnine with suicidal intent. The woman was dead long before medical aid reached her. What motive prompted the act is difficult to determine. Mrs. Hassman, nee Ruark, was a cheerful young woman, not yet twenty-two years old. She was married to Charles Hassman, April 8th of this year, Rev. Barber officiating. The course of married life was not a smooth one and for some cause she soon after left her husband and returned to the home of Mr. and Mrs. John McKeehan, with whom she had formerly resided. After the separation of husband and wife, Mr. Hassman claimed that McKeehan was at the bottom of their troubles and subsequently brought suit against McKeehan for the alienations of his wife's affection and asked for $10,000 damages. The suit was to come to trial at the next term of the Lee County District Court.

Mrs. Hassman continued to reside with the McKeehan household and only a couple of days before taking the fatal poison, came to Farmington with Mr. and Mrs. McKeeham(sp). There was then nothing in her conduct or actions to indicate any intentions of self destruction. On the evening of Sept. 5, Mr. McKeehan was hauling wood and returning home, proceeded to take care of his team and "throw off" the load. Soon after his arrival the two women passed into the house and he proceeded to work. Before he completed his task his wife came to the door and calling to him screamed for him "to come quick." He hastened to the house and Mrs. McKeehan imparted to him her fears, for Mrs. Hassman was groaning and making a very unusual noise in the room above. Together with his wife, McKeehan proceeded to the chamber above and found the unfortunate woman in the agonies of a fearful death. Before lapsing into unconscious sleep, Mrs. Hassman told them that she was going to die and asked for milk. She asked them to "tell on of the McKeehan children goodby." Mr. McKeehan immediately sent for medical aid. Dr. Neff, upon his arrival found that the woman was beyond all earthly assistance and suggested that a Justice or the Coroner be summoned. A coroner's jury was accordingly empanelled by a justice of the peace. After taking the statements of witnesses a verdict was returned that Mrs. Hassman came to her death by poison taken with suicidal intent.

On Thursday the remains were brought to town and conveyed to the home of her father James Ruark. Funeral services were conducted Friday by Rev. G.W. Barber and Mercina Hassman was laid to rest in Green Glade cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book D, Page 24, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA