EDWIN HENRY CURTISS (Part 2)

An Unhappy Ending

Edwin Curtiss c1897

“Pursuant to your request, please find enclosed copies of the Coroner paperwork on the above referenced case” read the cover letter I received attached to a bulk of papers.  I had almost forgotten about sending my letter to Kern County, CA Sheriff’s Office last October and was surprised when a thick envelope appeared in my mailbox yesterday. 

I had found evidence leading me to the suicide death of my Great Uncle Edwin Curtiss in 1932 in Kern County outside Bakersfield, CA.  The words, “white man, probably Ed Curtiss” and other coincidental references caused me to believe this was my Uncle Edwin’s death certificate.  When I reviewed the certificate I learned there was an inquest held into his death to make sure it was not murder.  

Included in the packet was a report titled INVESTIGATION OF DEATH OF ED or E. H. CURTISS.  Apparently, the Sheriff’s had interviewed his Ex-wife,  his Landlord,  a friend and his ex-wife’s brother to find out what they knew in regards to his emotional disposition in the weeks prior to his death.  Everyone, except Alice, believed he was depressed, despondent and capable of the act.  His landlord also knew he owned a gun.  One remembered him saying, “I think I will get in my car and drive down to the ocean and end it all”, and another “Well, you’ll never see me again. Only mother will know.”

His ex-wife Alice (Reeder) Curtiss whom he called by her middle name Leota, “doubted if Curtiss had committed suicide. She made arrangements to come to Bakersfield, but on the morning of May 6, 1932  . . . she had received a letter from Curtiss . . . had changed her opinion and was satisfied that he had killed himself”.  A photo copy of the hand written letter was included in the report.

Here’s what the letter read:

“My Dear Leota,

By the time this reaches you I will be in no need of help and I want you to read it over, and sit down, and pray  for me, as I have done many times for you, and I have asked you to forgive me, and you kept silent. I didn't want you to live with me, just to say you forgave me, but now see what has happened, and as I write this I’m lonesome, and blue, no money, no house (home), no work, and no one to confide in, so why struggle on longer. I have asked God many times for advice and he has not pointed out a different life for me. I am in good health, but oh so hungry for food, and a kind word, I can’t longer go on.

Alice Leota in 1918

I have told Will (Reeder) about our life a long time ago, also about Feb. 20, 1911 (their wedding date), and that I was sorry and wanted to be forgiven. As I had always tried to do the right thing by you. He said your law suit cost you $250. You sure wanted it bad didn't you? Well I hope you are a good Bridge player by now dear.

I am writing this the same also the papers, as I want my side known also. It has been a one sided affair up to now. When what is left is found you will believe me when I say that I still love you and want you to forgive me and God bless you. I have been told only a coward would do such a thing. Just try it and see if a coward could. Now dear will you please pray. 

(This part of the letter has the left side missing)

“… a very dear friend ….have known for about …I was out with her …just the same type  … dear Norma (Tisher, first wife who died) was.  … no work and no money … go on, I just can’t  …er, all she will have…it.   ..ear if you care to know …ow I feel toward you … the song, “The Red ....lley and read it every ...just as I feel toward

…good Bye Dear

Ed. “

After reading the full INQUEST HELD UPON THE BODY OF White man, probably ED CURTISS DECEASED. IN THE CORONER’S COURT OF THE COUNTY OF KERN, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Edwin was … found in a burned Ford Model T Coupe. He had a bullet hole in the top of his skull and he was burned to such a degree that nobody could identify the body.  There was also found in the car a 32 caliber Iver-Johnson revolver. 

Thus concludes the sad story of my Great Uncle Edwin Henry Curtiss.  Death is never a happy thing, but a suicide death ending the life of a despondent family member is very very sad. 

Edwin Henry Curtiss (Part 1)

For the last 5 years I have been trying to discover the birth and death information for my family tree. This is not always easy for me as most all my elder relations have passed. (I wish I would have begun this genealogy quest in my early 20s) All my grandparents, and most of my aunts and uncles are gone now and the few that remain were too young to remember events in their past with any clarity. But, occasionally I get a fact or hint from someone that leads me to a find.

At my families first ever Family Reunion this last summer I asked my 85 year old father if he remembered anything about his Uncle Edwin. He was only 8 years old when Edwin died and I was having a very hard time finding the facts attached to his life and death. Dad said he remembered his mother receiving a phone call and crying and crying, saying "Uncle Edwin is dead".

Uncle Edwin H. was the oldest brother of Dad's father, Arthur D. Curtiss. Born in Laurel, Maryland 30 June 1879.  He was the first child (to survive) of  Alfred Leroy and Mary Ella (Darby) Curtiss. They moved to St. Joseph, Missouri when he was one 1 yr. old and had the rest of their 6 children there.  He married Norma A. Tisher in 1903, but she passed in 1908 leaving Edwin a childless widower. In 1911 he married his second wife Alice Leota Reeder.  He worked for Richardson D G & Co. first as a trunk-maker and then became a photographer. They moved to Omaha, Nebraska around  1918 and then to Los Angeles about 1921 when his brothers family moved there. He worked as a carpenter, was divorced from Alice L. and had no children. He died at age 52.  My father and Aunt both said that they believed he had committed suicide. I had collected all the facts I could about him searching every possible lead in discovering his death certificate to no avail.

At the Family Reunion I asked my Dad if he could remember anything else about Edwin concerning his death. He remembers he heard Uncle Edwin was in Bakersfield when he shot himself.  Since I had searched every possible option in Los Angeles, his last residence this was a new lead.

Bakersfield is in Kern County so I began to check out the online death indexes for California looking for anything in Kern County between 1930 - 1940. I found one that I thought was possibly his. Recorded May 5, 1932 with the name Ed Curtiss, age 41. Spouse initial listed as "L".  I knew that Alice Leota some times went by A. Loeta , so this was possibly his death certificate. I sent for it.

When the certificate arrived I found that this was a "white man, possibly Ed Curtiss", a suicide victim shot to the head and found in a car on the hwy. Spouse name "Lata" (coincidentally, my grandmothers' name) and divorced. Buried in Delano, CA. No other records stated. I had enough information to conclude that this indeed was Edwin Henry Curtiss' death certificate.

I was very happy with my discovery, but it left me with another question. How did the suppliers of facts on the certificate know that he was "divorced"? Did he leave a suicide note? Did he have his divorce papers with him in the car? Did he write the note to my grandmother, Lata Lavesta stating he was distraught over his divorce from Alice? It did state there was an inquest held. This will be my next search.

EDWIN HENRY CURTISS (1879 - 1932)

Edwin H. Curtiss was Artur's older brother.

He was the third child born to Alfred L. and Mary Ella Curtiss. He was born in Laurel, Prince George's County, Maryland on June 30, 1879. He was 11 months old when his parents moved to St. Joseph, Missouri.
Edwin was 5 feet 10 inches with a slender build. He had gray eyes and dark hair.
Edwin was married to Norma A. Tisher (b.1883 Colorado, d.1909) and they lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. They were married only 6 years when Norma died. They had no children.
Edwin married a second time to Alice Leota Reeder (b.1888 Iowa, d.1943 California) They lived together about 17 years and were divorced. They had no children.

Alice Leota Reeder
Edwin was the Com. Photographer at Byrne Hammer Dry Goods in Omaha, Nebraska. Family members said that Alice divorced him and he was very unhappy resulting in his suicide.