Elgie (Ohmertz) Hampston |
| Posted 2017-09-02 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Weekly Arizona Journal-Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Wednesday, August 12, 1903, page 4, column 4 A Young Woman Tired On Life Takes Dose Of Laudanum At Poland Found Death in Her Bed on Monday - No Known Motive For Suicide Mrs. Rae Hampston, a woman 25 years old, was found dead in her bed at Poland yesterday about 11:30 o'clock. A coroner's jury rendered a verdict that she came to her death from an overdose of laudanum. Her husband is a miner and left Poland on Sunday for Congress to secure work. On Sunday evening Mrs. Hampston went into the store of the Poland Extension company's store and asked for a bottle of laudanum. The manager of the store asked her for what purpose she wanted it and she stated that she intended to make a solution of it, with which to bathe her feet, which were swollen and painful. On this representation the poison was sold to her, and nothing more was seen of her until at the hour above stated on Monday morning when she was found dead, the indications being that death was painless and without a struggle. The empty bottle which had contained the laudanum was found under the pillow and every indication was that she had taken the drug with suicidal intent, although there was not known cause why she should desire to end her life, as far as the Journal-Miner could learn. Mr. Hampston was in Prescott when the telephone message announcing her death was received, intending to leave for Congress last evening, and on receipt of the news he immediately returned to Poland. The remains of the dead woman were brought into Prescott on this morning's train and will be buried in the cemetery here. ------------------------ News-Herald, Martinez, Arizona Territory Saturday, August 15, 1903, page 2 A Poland Tragedy - Mrs Pat Hampstead Takes Her Life by an Overdose of Laudenum On Sunday last Mrs Pat Hampstead ended her life in a most tragic manner. She was not satisfied with life. Things did not go to suit her. She concluded that she would rather take chances on the future which she knew not of than to live in the present of which she knew. A telltale bottle with a laudenum odor gave the clue to the tragic ending of this young life. The empty bottle was found under the dead woman's pillow on Sunday morning and the coroner's jury only had to say that she died by her own hands. The sadness of this death is made more sad by the fact that she had a brother who shot himself two years ago out on Bill Williams fork. The young man loved a girl and accidentally shot her while fooling with a pistol. The shock proved too much for him and the next night he sent his soul after that of his lover by a bullet from the same treacherous weapon. Mrs. Hamstead was formerly Elgie Ohmert of Congress, being a daughter of Mrs Josie Omert of that place. Mrs. Omert still has three daughters left to mourn with her the untimely death of this member of the family. May this be the last of these tragic deaths to mar the happiness of the Omert family. Mrs. Hamstead left a brief note saying that she was tired of life. The many friends of the deceased here were dumbfound when they heard this sad news. And the sympathy of many kind hearts go out now to the bereaved relatives. Transcriber's note: Mrs. Hampston is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. |
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