From our archives,

100 years ago

Dr. Louise Van Horne, a Spokane osteopathic practitioner, committed suicide in her hotel room and left a note in which she said she was “tired, oh so tired, of life’s bitter struggles.”

Her “bitter struggles” included one sensational fact: She was about to face an arson charge for a series of three fires in or near her offices over the past two years. She had collected insurance money from each fire.

Then, just a few days before her death, another fire next to her new office caused considerable damage. She had filed a damage claim for that fire, as well. Investigators said the fire was “of incendiary origin.”

The county prosecutor said he had been prepared to issue a warrant for her arrest for arson when he learned Dr. Horne was dead. He said there “seemed to be little question” she started the most recent fire.

Dr. Horne did not, however, admit her guilt in her suicide note. In fact, she said the fires had killed her, in a way.

“Needless to say, I am entirely innocent of the fire (or fires) which have followed me and weakened my heart,” she wrote. “The very breath of suspicion is humiliating. I have neither strength nor courage to fight it out. But I forgive my enemies and parties who intentionally or accidentally burned me out.”

She apparently swallowed a number of bichloride of mercury tablets and was found by an old friend.