Galway - Killian, Sarah 1905

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Galway Index
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File contributed by: J. Banja January 9, 2010, 3:28 pm

KILLIAN, SARAH 1905

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., January 7, 1905, page 1
AGED WOMAN TAKES HER LIFE.

Mrs. Sarah Killian Plunged a Case Knife Into Her Throat and 
Bleeds to Death, Having Severed the Jugular Vein. Standing 
outside the kitchen door at her home, 2015 Fifteenth avenue, 
Mrs. Sarah Killian, aged 62 years, last evening at 6:30 
o'clock plunged a dull and blunt case knife into her throat, 
severing the jugular vein, and as she leaned against the 
house bled to death, only falling in the snow with the last 
dying gasp.

Attacked with stomach trouble three weeks ago, Mrs. Killian 
became a victim of mental aberration.  She worried over her 
son, Michael Donley, who is employed at night by the 
Pennsylvania railroad.  She feared he was to be arrested.  
When he got ready for work last night, she begged him to 
remain in the house, as officers were waiting for him 
outside.  He tried to pacify her by staying at home.  Mrs. 
Killian and her son Michael lived with the former's son 
Edward. Michael, Mrs. Edward Donley and the latter's two 
children were at home when Mrs. Killian took her life.  
After her family had partaken of the evening meal and 
cleared away the dishes, Mrs. Killian put on her overshoes 
and hood and stepped into the back yard.  Her continued 
absence alarmed Mrs. Donley and she went out in search of 
her.  As she opened the kitchen door, Mrs. Killian fell over 
in the snow dead.

Deputy Coroner McCartney was notified and repaired to the 
house.  It was not known that she had taken her own life 
until he arrived.  The case knife was found in the snow.  It 
must have required great strength to force the knife into 
the flesh as it was dull.  No inquest will be held.

Sarah Killian was born in County Galway, Ireland, and was 
aged 62 years.  She was twice married, her first husband 
being Patrick Donley and the second Patrick Killian.  Both 
died in Ireland and in 1900 she came to Altoona to make her 
home with her son.  She was a member of St. John's Catholic 
church and is mourned by two sons, Edward and Michael 
Donley, two stepsons, Peter and Martin Donley, and one 
sister, Mrs. Margaret Tierney, the latter in Ireland.