SLINKEY

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Monday, December 20, 2010 at 05:27:44 :

Marin County Tocsin
Saturday, January 14, 1899
Page 3

As the Tocsin goes to press we learn the melancholy fact that Mrs. J. E. Slinkey committed suicide by hanging yesterday (Friday) at her home in San Francisco. We have not heard the particulars, further than that she had suffered greatly from illness in the past few days, which doubtless prompted the desperate act. Mrs. Slinkey and her husband were well-known residents of Sausalito for many years.

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Sausalito News
Saturday, January 21, 1899
Page 3

Suicide of Mrs. Slinkey
Ill Health and Business Reverses Caused the Rash Act

On Friday last the residents of Sausalito were shocked to learn of the death of Mrs. J. E. Slinkey, and on all sides could be heard expressions of sympathy for the husband and children. The particulars of how Mrs. Slinkey accomplished the deed, the causes that led to it, etc., have been so extensively published that the News ill not undertake to give them. The funeral took place last Sunday, and, notwithstanding the storm, was largely attended by friends from Marin and San Francisco. The interment was in Laurel Hill Cemetery, San Francisco.

The most painful feature of this sad affair occurred after the funeral, when the Coroner of San Francisco received an anonymous letter stating that the lady had been murdered, had not committed suicide, and implicating the husband. While the authorities put little or no confidence in the statement, still they considered it their duty to exhume the body, which has been done, and the stomach is now in the hands of the doctors, undergoing an analysis.

In Sausalito, where Mr. and Mrs. Slinkey lived for so many years, the idea of foul play by the husband is scouted, for while Mr. Slinkey has his faults, it is well known that lack of affection for his wife was not one of them. Her actions for the past two years and her oft-declared determination to commit the act are sufficient proof, in the minds of our people at least, that it was a clear case of self-destruction caused by reverses in business and ill-health. The News, on behalf of the people of Sausalito, extends to the bereaved relatives sincere sympathy and condolence in this their sad hour of affliction.