Avis Jacqueline Albee (1930-1944)

ALBEE, GRIFFITH, JONES, MARTIN, POHLMANN, STEPHENS

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:41

August 13, 1930 --- February 3, 1944

Orphans' Home Girl Leaps To Death After Row With Companion Over Comic Book

Following an argument with a girl companion over possession of a comic book, Avis Albee, 13, a ward at the Iowa Soldiers Orphans' Home, committed suicide at 6 p.m. Thursday by leaping from the Milwaukee railway bridge over Elm street to the tracks below, a distance of 75 feet. She was dead when police and orphanage officials reached the scene.

Officials at the home said Friday the girl had threatened on several occasions to end her life.

She was admitted to the institution in September, 1942 and last August ran away but was later picked up at Muscatine and returned.

The girl's father, Richard K. Albee, resides in Eagle Grove, la., while her mother, Mrs. Edith Pohlmann, lives in Clarion, la.

Coroner Frank C. Keppy said no inquest will be held. The body was removed to the Horrigan home for funerals.

According to officials at the home the Albee girl and a companion became involved in an argument late Thursday over a comic book and the latter struck Avis in the face with the book.

When Avis failed to appear for supper, Josephine Brown and Mary Clark, both 15, who reside in the same cottage with the Albee girl returned to the cottage, and found the following note written by Avis before she disappeared:

"Do one last favor for me, please. Tell Wayne I am sorry I had to do this and I said good bye. I was licked this time but I won't be another time. If anyone is kind enough please go to "Suicide Bridge" and pick up my remains."

After finding the note the two started searching for the girl. As they neared the Elm street bridge they caught sight of Avis as she climbed to the bridge railing but were too far away to stop her from leaping.

The girl was born in Hardy, la., Aug. 13, 1930. She is survived by her father, Richard K. Albee of Eagle Grove, la.; mother, Mrs. Edith Pohlmann of Clarion, la.; three brothers, Winton. Curtis and Leon; and one sister, Betty, all of Eagle Grove.

Quad-City Times
Davenport, Iowa
Friday. February 04, 1944

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Friday, Feb. 4

Avis Albee, 13, of the Iowa Soldiers' Orphan home ends her life by jumping, from the Elm street bridge. She left a note saying she would not be whipped again.

Albee Funeral

The body of Avis Albee, who took her life at the Elm street bridge Thursday evening, will be sent from the Horrigan home for funerals to the Wilson mortuary at Eagle Grove, Ia., this evening. Funeral services and burial will take place there Sunday.

The Daily Times
Davenport, Iowa
Saturday, February 05, 1944

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Obituary

Avis Jacqueline Albee was born on August 13, 1930, at Hardy, Lake Township, in Humboldt county. She attended school in Hardy, Eagle Grove, Gilmore City and Davenport. She was a member of the Gilmore City Methodist church, being baptized in the summer of 1942. She was a member of Rev. W. G. Muhleman's Sunday school class at Davenport. She as one of the older girls of the home, was very helpful and very popular with the girls.

She passed away about 6 p. m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, 1944, at Davenport. She leaves to mourn her going, her father, Kenneth Albee, her mother, her sister, Betty, and three brothers, Winton in the navy in the Pacific, Curtis on a farm near Kanawha, and Leon on the Quakerdale farm at Eldora; 2 aunts at Salem, Ore., four cousins and an uncle, Wayne Albee, of Eagle Grove.

The services were held Monday, Feb. 7, at 2 p. m. at the Wilson Funeral Chapel, the burial was at Goldfield. Music was by Mrs. Ethyle Shoenhair, singing "Safe In the Arms of Jesus" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," accompanied by Mrs. George DeForest. The service was conducted by Rev. Clarence W. Tompkins of the Methodist church.

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Goldfield Section

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jones, Walter Jones, Mrs. Don Stephens, Mrs. Ray Griffith and Mrs. Millard Martin attended funeral services for Miss Avis Albee at Eagle Grove Monday afternoon.

Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, February 10, 1944

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[Transcriber’s Note: Obituaries transcribed as published. Deceased’s Full Name: Avis Jaqualine Albee, Date of Birth: Aug. 13, 1930, was taken from her February 4, 1944 Certificate of Death, Age: 13 Years, 5 Months, 20 Days.]