Francis - Laura Coons
LAURA COONS FRANCIS
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 10-29-1919 p 3
Mrs. Laura Coons Francis departed this life October 7. She was born in Montgomery County September 24, 1863, age 56. She was the youngest daughter of James and Sallie Coons. Her mother departed this life at the age of 61 and her father lived to the ripe old age of 90. The funeral occurred at her home, Oct 8 at 1304 East Main Street, Crawfordsville. The services were conducted by Rev. HH Elmore of the First Baptist Church. Laura had been in poor health for several years with a nervous trouble. She stated to her brother that if the good Lord would take her she would not have to suffer so much and she would be better off. The cause of her death was pneumonia. She leaves a husband, Charles N. Francis, a sister, Mrs. Mary Vancleave of Wingate, two brothers, George of New Market, Levi of Crawfordsville to mourn their loss. We wish the Journal to correct a false report that Mr. Francis' home was in poverty. He has his home paid for and has money in the bank and has money invested in Liberty bonds and has a job at $ 85 a month. I think it is due to Mr. Francis to be corrected. Source: Unknown scrapbook pages Mrs. Charles N Francis 1304 E. Main Street was found at an early hour Monday in a drowning condition in the small stream near Jesse Canine's summer cottage east of the city. According to her husband, Mrs. Francis has been in a mentally deranged condition for a number of years, but not until recently did she becomes violent. As far as is known Mrs. Francis left her home about midnight and was not seen until discovered early Monday morning in the small stream east of the city. Silas Bowers, Fred Bowers and Ora Enoch, who happened to be passing along the road at that time were attracted by unusual noises coming from the direction of the creek and upon investigating found the old lady in the water. The water was not very deep at the point in the stream and this probably accounts for the fact that she did not succeed in drowning herself. How long she had been in the creek was hard to determine as her statements were very incoherent. After being removed from the water she was taken to her home on east main and a physician called. It was at this time that the terrible condition of the home was discovered. According to Chief Irwin, who visited the home Monday, they had been forced to live under the most unsanitary conditions for the past number of years. Such conditions had evidently been the case as the entire house was in disorder and everything was covered with a thick coat of dust. It is understood that arrangements are now being made whereby Mrs. Francis will be taken to a state asylum, where she can be properly taken care of. - thanks to Kim H