#1 Published in the Tribune October 28, 1914

DEATH BY CARBOLIC ACID

Miss Ethel Harkins, aged 25 years, committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid at the home of William Marshall who resides one mile south of Dale.

Miss Harkins had worked for the Marshall family about two months. On Monday morning Mrs. Marshall left the house for a brief time; returning she saw the girl drinking the last of a cup of carbolic acid. Dr. Davies of Arlington was called, but arrived too late.

The reason assigned as the cause for the desperate act is despondency over a lovers’ quarrel with Henry Decker, to whom she was engaged to be married. Her father, William Harkins, was once a resident of Arlington, but now resided in Morrison, Okl. He has been notified of the unfortunate daughter’s mad act. Sheriff Compton and coroner E. C. Pierce decided that an inquest was not necessary in view of the evidence.

#2 Published in the Arlington Democrat October 29, 1914

KILLS SELF AFTER QUARREL

Sheriff Compton and Coroner Pierce were called to Arlington Monday to investigate the death of Miss Ethel Harkins, aged 25 years, who had committed suicide that morning at 9 o’clock at the home of William Marshall, a farmer living about a mile south of Dale.

Mrs. Marshall had gone from the house a few minutes, and returning, saw the girl drinking the last of a cup of carbolic acid, which she dashed from the girl’s hands, but too late to save her life.

Dr. Davies of Arlington was called, but Miss Harkins was dead when he arrived. She had worked for the Marshall’s about a month, but in the neighborhood for some time, and had been keeping company with a young farmer, Henry Decker, to whom she was engaged to be married and with whom she had quarreled a few days ago.

Her father, William Harkins, lives in Morrison, Okl. but was once a resident of Arlington. An inquest was deemed unnecessary.

#3 Published in the Enterprise October 30 1914

ETHEL HARKINS SUICIDES - -Domestic In The Home of Wm. Marshall, Near Dale-Drinks Cup of Carbolic Acid-Had Quarreled With Her Fiancée Few Days Before-Coroner Thought Inquest Unnecessary

Word was telephoned in from Washington to coroner Pierce on Monday P.M. that a woman near there had committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid. The coroner went out in response to the call and learned the following concerning the matter: The woman’s name was Ethel Harkins, 25 years of age, working for a farmer named Wm. Marshall, living south of Dale.

Mrs. Marshall had gone from the house a few minutes, and returning, saw the girl drinking the last of a cup of carbolic acid, which she dashed from the girl’s hands, but too late to save her life.

Dr. Davies of Arlington was called, but Miss Harkins was dead when he arrived. She had worked for the Marshalls about a month, but in the neighborhood for some time, and had been keeping company with a young farmer, Henry Decker, to whom she was engaged to be married and with whom she had quarreled a few day ago.

Her father, William Harkins, lives in Morrison, Okla., but was once a resident of Arlington.

Coroner E. C. Pierce was called there, but decided on the evidence that an inquest was not necessary.

#4 Published in the Tribune November 4, 1914

All that was mortal of Miss Ethel Harkins was consigned to earth last Friday. Rev. Hammel, of Arlington, conducted the funeral at the M. E. Church in Arlington and the interment took place in the Elk City Cemetery.

Miss Harkins ended her life last week by taking carbolic acid at the home of Wm. Marshall near Dale.

Find A Grave Memorial# 110177920