Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA 

Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007

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Harmon Dorothy D 340601 p7
Newman Index   Young Wife Takes Poison; A Sunday tragedy brought to a to a close the brief life of Mrs Dorothy D.
Harmon, 27, wife of David Harmon, manager of the local branch of the Sprouse Ritz Co.  Following a  tiff which the
husband describes as of no consequence,  Mrs.  Harmon went to the Newman Drug Co. store about 11 Sunday and bought
a small quantity of strychnine sulphate.  She signed the poison sheet as required by law, and gave as her use for the stuff
the poisoning of rats.  The druggist who attended her said that she seemed quite at ease, smiling, and gave no indication
whatever of tragic purpose. Returning to her apartment at the Trefts residence on P street, she locked herself in.  Some
time later Mrs. Trefts heard sounds from the rooms, which at first led her to think Mrs. Harmon was crying.  Later she
decided the sound was a moan, and tried to enter.  But it was necessary to send out for the housekeeper to get a key.  In
the  meantime Dr. Rosco was summoned, and he was the first to enter the room, finding Mrs. Harmon dead. Harmon had
left for Modesto some time in the forenoon and did not return until after the discovery. An investigation of Coroner W.
M. Davis left no doubt as to the cause of death.  A note addressed to her grandmother, Mrs. F. J. Young of Niles, said she
was tired of living.  Another note was addressed to Harmon.  It was not considered necessary to hold an inquest. The
deceased  was known to but few here, having come to Newman with Harmon some four months ago to take over the
store.  She was formerly a school teacher, and as Miss Dorothy Barnum taught in Gustine High a few years ago, marrying
Harmon about two years ago.