SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER FEB. 20, 1928 FRONT PAGE
Girl Doomed to Paralysis for Life Kills Self-- Victim Learns She is Incurable; Runs Wheel Chair Up to Stove and Turns on Gas Jets
With four words--"There is no hope" -- repeating themselves over and over again in her memory, Melba Abbott, 21, paralyzed from the waist down, yesterday worked her wheeled chair within reach of the gas stove and turned on five burners.
She was found dead by her mother, Mrs. F.N. Coxe, in their apartment at 1114 Sutter street. Scribbled on a memorandum pad by her side was a note: "As long as there is no hope and I would be a care to mother and everbody--goodbye."
The girl was stricken with paralysis three years ago. Since then she has been under constant treatment by a physician, and recently she and her mother moved to the Sutter street apartment from the family home at 1798 Hayes street in order that the girl might be nearer the doctor's residence.
Last week, her mother explained tearfully, the girl succeeded in calling in another physician. From him she learned the fatal truth--that she was an incurable invalid. She said nothing to her mother of her intent, but had evidently been brooding over her helplessnes. Yesterday Mrs. Coxe went home to see her husband and the girl took the opportunity offered by her brief absence to say "good bye" to ill health.
SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER FEB. 20, 1928 FRONT PAGE
Girl Doomed to Paralysis for Life Kills Self-- Victim Learns She is Incurable; Runs Wheel Chair Up to Stove and Turns on Gas Jets
With four words--"There is no hope" -- repeating themselves over and over again in her memory, Melba Abbott, 21, paralyzed from the waist down, yesterday worked her wheeled chair within reach of the gas stove and turned on five burners.
She was found dead by her mother, Mrs. F.N. Coxe, in their apartment at 1114 Sutter street. Scribbled on a memorandum pad by her side was a note: "As long as there is no hope and I would be a care to mother and everbody--goodbye."
The girl was stricken with paralysis three years ago. Since then she has been under constant treatment by a physician, and recently she and her mother moved to the Sutter street apartment from the family home at 1798 Hayes street in order that the girl might be nearer the doctor's residence.
Last week, her mother explained tearfully, the girl succeeded in calling in another physician. From him she learned the fatal truth--that she was an incurable invalid. She said nothing to her mother of her intent, but had evidently been brooding over her helplessnes. Yesterday Mrs. Coxe went home to see her husband and the girl took the opportunity offered by her brief absence to say "good bye" to ill health.
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
