SPANG, Annie

Notes:

Altoona, PA: Altoona Mirror, issue of Tuesday, 11 December 1923, p. 1, col. 3

ANNIE M. BUTLER COMMITS SUICIDE

Aged Woman, Following Long Siege of Illness, Strangles Herself to Death on Attic Stairway.

TRAGEDY OCCURRED AT HOME OF HER DAUGHTER

She Was a Native of East Sharpsburg and Had Been a Resident of Altoona for the Past 38 Years.

Mrs. Annie M. Butler, wife of John H. Butler, a blacksmith employed by the Pennsylvania railroad, ended her life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. I.W. Lytle, 1815 Twenty-third avenue, shortly after 10.30 o'clock this forenoon by strangling herself with a short rope. The gruesome discovery was made by the daughter but a short time after the act had been committed.

Mrs. Butler who was 56 years of age, had not been in good health for several years and has spent several periods of convalescence in hospitals. She fell victim to influenza several years ago and had recurrences of the malady, the last time early in March. She had made but tedious progress to recovery and it is believed that her physical condition so preyed upon her mind that she determined to end it all.

About 10.30 o'clock this forenoon, Mrs. Butler went upstairs, the daughter being engaged in her household duties. A small grandchild was sent to call for grandma but when there was no response, the daughter went to the second floor to ascertain if anything had happened.

Finds Mother's Dead Body.

Not finding her mother on the second floor, Mrs. Lytle opened the door leading to the attic and there in the stairway, she was horrified to see her mother dead. She had taken a short rope, and placing it about her neck, grasped the ends with her hands and pulled until it choked her and cut off her breathing and she died, probably in a few minutes. She had been out of the daughter's sight but a short time.

Mrs. Lytle summoned neighbors who in turn notified the husband who was at work and Coroner Chester C. Rothrock was called. The coroner upon investigating the story of the suicide deemed an inquest unnecessary and Undertaker Otto Gilden was called to take charge of the body.

Since her health failed her, Mr. and Mrs. Butler have been making their homes with their daughter. They have lived in Altoona for the last thirty-eight years, coming here from East Sharpsburg where Mrs. Butler was born. Her maiden name was Spang. She was born 56 years ago.

She is survived by her husband, one son, C.R. Butler and a daughter, Mrs. Lytle and a grandchild, all of this city, and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. William Shiffler and Mrs. J.E. Shoenfelt of this city, Mrs. W.H. Price of Youngstown, O., George P. Spang of Los Angeles, Calif., H.M. of Minneapolis, Minn., R.W. of Pittsburgh and F.M. of Oakland, Calif. She was a member of the Grace Reformed church.

Job married TODD, Rachel E. 16 Jun 1857. Rachel was born Abt 1836, PA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Some information obtained from World Family Tree of Robert Nichols Farquhar.

George — FARQUHAR, Sarah A.. Sarah was born 20 Sep 1801, Sam's Creek, Maryland; died 26 Mar 1866, Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]