RondEau

June 24, 1891

Dear Brother Jerrie,

You will be very much surprised, yes shocked when you learn that I am answering your
letter instead of Maggie. You little dream of the sad news tonight that I am penning you.

On Friday at about one o’clock the alarm came to us that a woman and two children
were drowned at the R.R. dock, and it was Maggie and Bertha and Hugh. She and Garnet, her
oldest boy and those two little ones came to the Eau, to fish as the children supposed. They got
a boat at Georges Creek bridge and rowed around to the dock. She gave Garnet a parcel to
bring to me and to take the boat back to the bridge and then did the terrible deed and Jerrie it is
just awful. We never thought of her doing such a thing. It was for those two children that she did
it. She thought that as they had taken everything, the next to go would be her children. She left
a note in the house on the dresser for John Clark telling him he and Dave had taken her home
and her support, they should never have her share of the children and a letter was in the parcel
that she sent to me telling that it was for her children. She had it planned so well.

The contents of this parcel, note and all was for Sarah, but you see Jerrie, had she sent
it to Sarah she might have been saved but by sending it to me she would have time to
accomplish her design.

The water she drowned herself in was not over 20 inches. She was lying on her face and
had little Hugh in her arm and Bertha near her feet. They brought her home to Mother’s, the
three of them at once, and left them as they were until Saturday at noon they held a post
mortem examination. The verdict was that Bertha and Hugh Clark met their death at their
mother’s hands during a temporary fit of insanity. The sermon was preached at our place on
Sunday at ten by Rev. Mr. Godwin. There was nearly two hundred rigs there, the largest funeral
that has been known in the community. There were two hearses and three rigs of pall bearers.
We did not send a word to anyone as the undertaker said at first we would not be able to keep
them longer than Sat.

She wrote on a log near the dock “Don’t blame Garnet. I did it all. Dave shall not have
my little ones.”

Just think Jerrie, How could she ever do it? Bertha was a dear little girl and Hugh was a
nice child just beginning to talk. I was there last Tuesday night. She was very downhearted but
never mentioned such a thing. She said in her note that she thought in the orchard at her home
would be a nice place for their sermons. You see she has been thinking of it for some time. She
never got your letter Jerrie. I don’t think it would have been any different - for it was all for those
children and Dave could have taken them even then.
 Mother is taking it very bad. She is in Blenheim yet. We will send for her tomorrow.

William Clark took Harry the second boy and Charley the youngest is at Solomon Burks
until there is a change made. Garnet is going to work on a farm for a man about a mile from
here.

The people, generally speaking, are very indignant toward the Clarks. They carry all the
blame. The word was that Dave was home on Sunday and the plot was layed to drown him in
the Eau. Had it of been the truth it as caused a terrible talk and you know Jerrie we will never
hear the half of it.

Mary started this morning for British Colombia to her husband. He likes it well and is
doing well. We did not like to see her go but it is her home now and she was quite willing to go.
Charles remains the same, unchanged.

Of course you now that I am married. I have not got to keeping house yet. I am at home
this summer and Will is at his home. We are going to go on a farm this fall and I will be so gladd
when we get settlesd. I am sewing some this summer. You known I learned dressmaking last
summer and as we are not keeping house I would rather sew than not. I know you would like
Will if you knew him. He is steady in every way and that is a good deal now a days. I am going
to pick our strawberries for canning Friday. I am making every preparation for housekeeping.

Your Sister,
Minnie Pardo

The text was - “I am in a strait. Let me fall into the hands of God rather than in to the hand of
man.” A very appropriate test. The yard was throunged with people from all partys of the country
We have the sympathy of everybody.