Agnes Rosen

Paris Post, Friday, 25 December 1908, page 1

One of the most deplorable and shocking tragedies in the history of Paris took place last Saturday morning, when Mrs. John (Agnes) Rosen, the wife of a farmer living in the northern part of town, supposedly laboring under a fit of despondency and aberration of mind, poisoned herself and three young sons. Death ensued almost immediately.

At about 10 am on that morning Mrs. Rosen was noticed to be preparing some wine in glasses, her husband in the meantime being out in the stable harnessing his team preparatory going to the canyon.  As he was going out to the barn his wife called him and offered him a glass, but he declined saying he had purchased the wine for her and he wanted her to drink it, as she was sick. She then gave some of the wine, which had previously laced with strychnine, to her sons, aged 3, 6 and 9 years, and took some herself. The elder boy ran out to tell his father. The latter at once came into the house and seeing the child was ill, sent the elder boy, Fritz, to Mr. Passey’s house for assistance.

The boy fell to the ground in agony about half way to his destination. He died soon after when his body was found by Mr. Rosen. Mrs. Rosen and the second boy were taken ill at once and the woman and baby died within half an hour. Mrs. Rosen ran out of the house and back again, but said nothing to throw any light on the terrible affair.

As soon as possible Dr. Hayward was sent for and upon arrival found three of the victims dead but the second boy was still alive. The doctor and others turned their attention to the little fellow still alive and succeeded by the use of the stomach pump in extracting a good deal of the poisons. At last account the boy is in a fair way to recover.

Sheriff Wright, Coroner Vincent and County Attorney Austin were sent for and made a complete examination of all the circumstances of the case. It is supposed she intended to poison her husband but failed. Mr. Rosen was half crazed with sorrow and could throw little light on the case of his wife’s action. It is known that the couple have had some difficulties during their married life and it is said that on several occasions she had threatened to kill herself. She filed for divorce about two months ago, but her husband prevailed on her to withdraw it.

Some weeks ago, she asked one of her elder sons to shoot her, because she feared she was going insane. At other times she expressed the fear she was losing her mind. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rosen were married before, and she has two grown sons who have been living in another place near the Rosen home. Even they did not know anything of their mother’s evil intentions, although she visited them the night before and had quite a talk with them.

Mrs. Rosen was born Dec 4, 1864 in Stettin, Province Pomeron, Germany. When of age she was married to William Kulicke in Berlin by whom she had two sons. She later emigrated with her children to America and settled in Missouri, where she got acquainted with Mr. Rosen through a friend of his. He went east and was married to Mrs. Rosen July 20, 1898 and brought wife and family to Idaho in November following.

Since their marriage they had three children born to them. The eldest Frederick John Gottlieb, now dead; Henry Robert, who is recovering and Max Joseph, the baby also dead. Funeral services of Mrs. Rosen and the two children were held in the Second Ward Hall on Monday, dec 21, 1908 at 12:30 pm. The occasion was presided over by Bishop Robert Price, Counselor R W Wallentine offered the opening prayer. Consoling remarks were made by Bishop Price. Presidents William L Rich and Joseph R Shepherd each spoke with much sympathy and encouraged those left behind to look to kind Providence to bless those who are left behind. President W W Richards pronounced the benediction.

Quite a large cortege following the three caskets to their last resting place. Mrs. Rosen was not a member of the Mormon Church, neither are her two sons, but was a pronounced Lutheran.

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