Died By The River

While Laboring Under Temporary Aberration of Mind. SENATOR MILLS' VIEWS ON JEFFERSON. The Great Rendition of Pinafore by the Gersang Verein Lyra. -A Dog's Bite. -Etc., Etc. From Wednesday's Times. Miss Lois H. Janes, of, 46 E. University ave., disappeared yesterday afternoon leaving a presumption that she had committed suicide by drowning. Miss Janes, who is a '93 lit, left home at about 9:30 in the morning saying she was coming down town to buy a pair of shoes. She did not return at noon, but this was nothing unusual as she was a very close student and spent much time in the library. When the postman delivered the afternoon mail, however, a short note was received which was opened by her younger sister, Frances. The note was rather incoherent and unconnected, but it conveyed startling information. It was as follows: "I can't help it. I have done it. I have committed suicide down at the river. O, forgive me. Blame only me. I am not worth. But it only makes it worse. LOIS." As soon as possible Miss Frances found her sister Eunice and her brother Leroy and they consulted as to what was best to be done. They had hopes that their sister would return and disliked making her disappearance public if she should. After discussing the matter they decided to ask advice and came down town at about 4:30, going at once to T. A. Bogle and showing him the letter. Mr. Bogle advised them to report the matter to the officers, but they still had hopes that she would be found alive and wanted to avoid any publicity if she should be. After further considering the matter, however, they decided to report the matter and a party was at once organized to go to the river and search for her. By the time that the party was ready to do anything it became so dark that it was decided to postpone the search until this morning. This morning there was a report that her body had been found at the pulp mill and Sheriff Brenner, Deputy Sheriff Peterson and others went out to investigate and found that there was no truth to it. At about 9 o'clock the search was systematized, the ground divided and a party detailed to cover each section. Miss Janes had an umbrella with her the last time she was seen, which was in the post office at about 10 o'clock. and it was argued that if she had thrown herself in the river that she would necessarily leave that behind. It was thought that her hat would also be found near by and consequently before dragging the river it was decided to search the banks. The section west of the T. & A. A. bridge was taken by H. J. Brown and E. B. Hall, who were to search both sides of the river. T. A. Bogle and M. J. Lehman took the section between the T. & A. A. bridge and the Geddes ave. bridge and Leroy Janes and Mr. Teters the section between the Geddes ave. bridge and Geddes. The officers were also searching and about 11 o'clock Deputy Sheriffs Brenner and McCabe found the body just below Judge Kinne's summer house on Cedar Bend ave., lying on her back with her hands folded and her feet just touching the water. She had not been drowned, but had committed suicide by taking poison. Near the body was found an envelope labeled strychnine, which evidently tells the story of her death. The envelope bore the business card of John Moore, druggist. The body was taken in charge by Coroner Clark and Funeral Director Martin and taken first to Mr. Martin's rooms and then to the house, 46 E. University ave. The funeral will probably take place Friday. Coroner Clark empaneled a jury which adjourned to Friday morning. Miss Janes was the daughter of Capt. L. L. Janes and was well and favorably known in town and University circles. She graduated from the High School with the class of 1890 and was considered one of the brightest girls in the class. She took part in the junior exhibition of the year before and was well liked by all the members of the class. She entered the University at once and would have graduated this year if she had not been out of school one year. She was a junior and a splendid student, loved by her classmates and teachers. She had been especially interested in the study of philosophy and had received some settled impressions last year which she had given up this year and which she said left her entirely at sea. She had been looking for a position as teacher for some time back and had especially in view a position at Battle Creek. She had been corresponding in regard to this position for some time and had the promise of it if another who had it before did not want it. At the time of the meeting of the Schoolmasters' Club, about two weeks ago the principal of the school was here and she expected to learn something about her chances, but it seems that he gave her no encouragement and the disappointment worked on strongly. Last Thursday evening Dr. Darling was summoned to attend her and found her in bed. She complained of having a severe headache and dizziness. She told the doctor that not feeling well she had started for the medicine case, but had been attacked by dizziness and fell down. The next she knew she found herself in bed. Dr. Darling examined her tongue to see if she was bilious and in so doing noticed a white spot in her throat which he thought could have only been occasioned by carbolic acid. He asked her if she had taken any by mistake and she claimed that she had not. The doctor asked her sister if there was any carbolic acid which she could have taken by mistake and she said there was not. Miss Janes recovered from this attack and although not feeling bright was about again until the occurrence of yesterday. The only explanation known for her wild act is her disappointment in her endeavors to find something to do for herself. Capt. Janes was married about a year ago and sailed for Japan, where he is engaged upon a literary work, leaving his children here. He owns the house at 46 E. University ave., where they lived. Capt. Janes had for years been father and mother both to the children and had seemed bound up in them. The death of his daughter in this tragic way will be a severe blow to him.