Watkins - Eliza
Source: Crawfordsville Review 12 Oct 1889 p 1
The mania for self destruction in this city and county this year has been more frequent than for a long time past. We have not the records of the Coroner to post us as to the exact number of suicides in the county during the year 1889, but would judge that they number from 10-12 at least. We are again compelled to this week recount another suicide, the victim this time being Mrs. Eliza Watkins, a widow lady living on West Market street near the Darter flour store. She was the widow of Mr. James P. Watkins who died some 8 years ago. Early on Thursday morning about 300 yards east of the trestle work on the OL&W in the west part of the city the body of Mrs. Watkins was found cold in death. It is supposed she had wandered from her home at some hour after midnight and dressed only in her night clothing walked to the spot where she was found. Seating herself on a tie of the road it is thought she waited on purpose for a train to approach that would hurl her to destruction. With the exception of a large bruise with some blood around the right side of her head her body was not lacerated or mangled in the least. The engine of a freight train struck her and threw her body a few feet from the track. Mrs. Watkins is supposed to have been somewhat demented in mind as some years ago she attempted suicide by hanging herself by a cord tied over a transom of a room at her residence. By the timely arrival of assistance at the time she was prevent from taking her life although she had nearly succeeded. Her age was bout 65 years. She leaves five children most of them grown. The funeral occurred yesterday. James F. Watkins her husband was one of the most exemplary citizens of Crawfordsville, a man possessed of the noblest instincts that adorn the character of a citizen. He was interested in what is known as the Brown & Watkins mill and died as stated some 8 years ago. - kz