BROWN, Velda Toole - Putnam

Four little motherless children were curiously watching and wondering what all the excitement and confusion meant at their home early this morning, too young to realize the tragedy that had befallen their life.  Their mother had committee suicide by drinking a bottle of Lysol.  Mrs. Velda Brown, age 28 years, wife of John Wesley Brown died at her home in Commercial Place about 8:45 o’clock this morning after drinking Lysol.  She drank the fatal liquid about 7:30 o’clock while in the kitchen went back into the other room of the house told her husband what she had done and collapse.  He immediately call Dr. AE Ayler who with Dr. WM McGaughey used a stomach pump in an effort to save the life of the woman.  The husband stated that his wife had spent a number of weeks in the hospital two years ago for treatment for heart disease and inflammatory rheumatism and since that time had never been in good health.  During the last few weeks she has been suffering of rheumatism.  The children are Eugene, age 9, Charles age 7, Helen age 6 and Ernest age 3.  Besides the husband and children the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Toole of Carpentersville and four sisters, Mrs. Violet Detro of Greencastle Township, Mrs. Cullie Wilson of Raccoon, Mrs. Russell Stewart of North Salem, Mrs. Cleo Steart of Maysville and a brother, Marion Toole of  Chicago, Ill.  Charity workers of the city were notified of the case and will care for the destitute children.  The husband John Brown is a painter by trade. ~~~transcribed by kbz

Funeral services for Mrs. Velda Toole Brown, wife of John Brown, Commercial Place who ended her life Monday morning by drinking Lysol were held this morning at the Rector Funeral Home with Rev. Grace Black in charge.  Interment was in the Roachdale cemetery,. Relatives acted as pall-bearers.   ~~~transcribed by kbz