The Mystery of Edna Farnsworth — British Columbia Chronicles

A century and a quarter has passed since 19-year-old Edna Farnsworth died. Her suicide made headlines from Victoria to San Francisco. She had no money but was given an expensive, fancy plot in Ross Bay Cemetery.

Not everyone buried in Ross Bay Cemetery is remembered, so why Edna Farnsworth?

Who paid for it? Why such a fuss for a sex trade worker, one might ask? Why, all these years later, a public appeal to restore her grave?

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Pioneer Dr. John S. Helmcken had seen it all in his decades-long career, from fur trade physician to private practitioner to prison doctor. He’d attended to 1000s of illnesses, injuries, births, deaths and hangings. Which explains why he wasn’t shocked when, in the early morning hours of June 23, 1889, he was “called to 14 Broughton Street to see a girl who I was told had shot herself through the right temple, about midway between the eye and ear, a wound I should consider fatal”.

Here’s how the Victoria Daily Times told the story on its front page, Monday, June 24, 1889. (It’s interesting to see how journalistic styles have changed): ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE; Terrible suicide of a Broughton Street Girl—The Inquest.

At 4:00 on Sunday morning a young woman named Edna Farringworth [sic] committed suicide by shooting herself in the head. She was an occupant of a house of ill-fame, on the north side of Broughton street, between Government and Broad streets, the house being rented by a sister of the deceased, a woman known amongst her associates under the name of Della Wentworth. The unfortunate girl was a native of California and was about 19 years of age.

The circumstances which led to the rash act are as follows:

On Sunday morning the women were eating early breakfast. Seated at the table were the deceased, her sister, other two inmates and John Croft, a young man well known in the city. After the meal Croft said that he intended to hire a team to catch the steamer which was to convey a party to the American side to witness the prize fight between Cleary and Austin.

“I will go with you as far as the steamer,” said Della Wentworth. "All right," answered Croft. The whole party laughed at the remarks and Croft left the house to procure a carriage. The deceased retired to her bedroom, adjoining the dining room, and in a few minutes the sound of a pistol shot was heard. The women rushed into the bedroom where Edna was found lying on the floor with a bullet wound in her right temple.

She stood at the window facing Broughton street and fired the shot as the hack drew up to the door. A messenger hastened to secure the services of a medical man and returned to the place with Dr. Milne in a few minutes. The woman was breathing her last when Dr. Milne arrived, and died in 15 minutes. Dr. J.D. [sic] Helmcken was also summoned.

On the floor near Edna’s feet they found the .32 calibre self-acting [single-action] revolver, with one chamber empty, and a pool of blood. The body was placed on the bed and every means was tried to save her life; but the deadly bullet was embedded in her brain and their efforts were useless.

Deceased was a resident of Victoria for three months. She was a tall, good looking blonde and it is to be believed being desperately in love she became jealous when her sister made the proposition to accompany Croft and in a fit of despondency ended her life. The body will be sent to San Francisco for internment.

THE INQUEST.

At 10 o’clock this morning Coroner Jackson held an inquest in the room of Supt. of Police Sheppard. The following juymen were sworn: T.W. Fletcher (foreman), A. Henderson, W.H. Pennock, J. Sommers, C.W. Rodgers and J.J. Wilson. After swearing the jury the coroner proceeded with them to the residence of Della Wentworth, on Broughton street.

In the bedroom was found the body of the dead girl lying on a bed with her hands across her breast. In her hands were a few beautiful flowers and the form was covered with a white sheet, which was removed from the head, disclosing a bullet wound in the right temple. On the floor was a pool of blood. After viewing the wound the jury returned to the offices of Supt. Sheppard.

Victoria Police Chief (Superintendent) Harry Sheppard. —*BC Archives*

Dr. G.L. Milne deposed—On Sunday morning at 4:30 was called to see a woman at No. 14 Broughton street; went there and saw the woman lying in one of the back rooms. She was lying on the floor with her feet towards the window. On examination found that she had a bullet wound in the right temple about two inches behind the right eyebrow. There was considerable blood on the floor. She was still breathing and lived about 15 or 20 minutes after witness arrived.

Found the pistol lying at her feet (pistol produced); noticed blood stains on the pistol; saw that one chamber was empty.

The blood on the pistol indicates that the weapon was close to the head when it was fired. With assistance placed her on the bed, where she died a few minutes afterwards; telephoned for the police; Officer Thomas arrived and took charge of the pistol and body.

To the coroner—Consider the wound sufficient to cause death; her name was given as Edna; she appeared to be a woman aged about 19 or 20 years.

Dr. John Helmcken had obviously treated Edna before; he thought her “very excitable”. —*BC Archives*

Dr. [[J.S.] Helmcken—On Sunday morning at 4:30 was called to No. 14 Broughton street to see a girl who had shot herself in the head. On arriving there found her in bed, dead, with a bullet wound in her right temple about midway between the eye and the ear; the wound was a fatal one; attended her two or three times lately and consider her very excitable. She appeared to be a woman who would commit suicide on slight provocation; was always given to understand that her name was Edna.

John Croft Deposed—Was in the house the morning this took place and was talking in the dining room with three girls. A hackman came for [indecipherable]; left the house and went out through the back entrance. This was about 4:00 in the morning. On the sidewalk joined the hack driver; heard what I supposed to be a shot, and said to the hackman, “Tom, did you hear that?” He replied, “Yes."

Ran with the hackman to the front door and was met by one of the girls who said, "My God, Edna has shot herself.” Ran into her room and found her lying on her back with her hand lying towards the window; breathing; ran with the hackman for Dr. Milne. A few minutes after, Dr. Milne arrived; helped the doctor to place the wounded girl on the bed; Dr. Helmcken arrived shortly afterwards.

To the Jury—Before the shot was fired witness was the only man in the house; about 10 minutes before having conversed with the girl; she said nothing about shooting herself. She left the room before [indecipherable]. Cannot see why she shot herself; she did not wish witness to leave the house; sincerely hope the girl did not think enough of witness to shoot herself; there was no trouble between witness and the girl.

To the Coroner—The house is on Broughton street and belongs to Della Wentworth.

Thomas Hallon, sworn—I am a hack-driver. Went to No. 14 Broughton street at 4:00 on Sunday morning; went to Edna's window and rapped. She came to the window; pulled the blinds aside and spoke to deceased; asked if Jack was in the home; she said no. Witness said he must be in the house; she said he was not; then saw Jack coming out the back way. Spoke to him and went out to meet him on the sidewalk.

Heard the report of a pistol. Jack said, “Did you hear?” Ran to the front door and was met by Della and Dot. One of them said: “My God, boys, Edna shot herself.” Then ran for Dr. Milne and afterwards for Dr. Helmcken.

Della Wentworth—We were all sitting in the dining room, three ladies, myself and Mr. Croft. Edna Farringworth went into her room; the rest went out to the backyard with Mr. Croft and said good morning to him and went back into the house. Miss Dot said to witness, “Someone has fired a shot." She went into the hall and came running back and said, “My God, Edna shot herself.” Witness knew no more until awakened by Dr. Helmcken.

To a Juror—She was very excitable; there was no quarrel; took her pistol away from her on several occasions, cannot say whether the pistol produced is the one she carried. Edna was laughing when she left the room.

Effie Sloan stated that the evidence of Della Wentworth was true; was not the first to enter the room after the shooting.

: Another of Victoria’s “unfortunates,” Belle Adams also made the news and history by slashing her lover’s throat when he threatened to leave her. —*BC Archives*

Dot Gilbert corroborated the evidence of the former witnesses. Heard the shot, and halloed out the window that a shot had been fired. Heard something fall; she was lying on the floor; went back and told them that Edna has shot herself. Went back to Edna and raised her head up; blood was rushing from her nose and mouth; kept wiping the blood away from mouth, thinking that she would speak. In the meantime Della came in and saw what had happened; she fell over Edna and fainted; told someone to get Dr. Helmcken.

To Mr. Pennock—A few days after the 22nd of last month saw the pistol in Edna's trunk; she asked witness not to tell Della. Deceased was very impulsive in her disposition; cannot say whether the window was open or closed; knew her by the name of Edna Farringworth.

[Officer] Thomas stated—On Sunday morning at 5:00 received a telephone message from Dr.Milne, calling for a police officer at Della Wentworth's house, No. 14 Broughton street; went to the house and met Wentworth at the door; saw Drs. Helmcken and Milne, three women and Mr. Croft; saw the body on the floor and considerable blood on the hearth rug. Dr. Helmcken handed witness the pistol produced, with one chamber discharged; remained there until 8:00.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased came to her death by her own hand, by shooting yourself with a pistol.

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From this Times account we see that No. 14 Broughton Street was known to both the hackman and the police; that John Croft was known to the hack driver, the police and the newspaper, and apparently a regular visitor there; that Edna Farrington [sic] and Della Wentworth were sisters; that Edna appeared to be jealous that Della and not she would accompany Croft to the boat. And that Edna, who was known to her sister and friends—even to Dr. Helmcken—to be excitable and impulsive, had a pistol in her possession.

A follow-up news account in the San Francisco Chronicle offered a second, unsubstantiated explanation as to why she took her own life by introducing the possibility that she “anticipated [her] death by consumption”. It continues:

Edna Warrington [sic] killed herself on Sunday night in a house of ill repute—at 14 Broughton street, Victoria. B.C. She was a San Francisco girl, less than 20 years of age, received her education at the mission school, and while here was known by the name of Edna Bruton and afterwards Edna Farnsworth.

Shortly after her first public disgrace [no details are given—TW] Edna Bruton took up her residence at 108 Geary street, near Grant avenue, in a lodging-house kept by a woman named Della Wentworth. She remained there until one year ago, when she plunged a most respectable family in disgrace and caused a sensation that was the talk of San Francisco for days.

A DISGRACEFUL WEDDING.

One night there came to the house where she was a young man named George Farnsworth. He had visited the place before to see Edna Bruton, and on this occasion their meeting was the cause of quite a heavy drinking bout. She appears to have had the stronger head of the two, or else she set to work to make him drunk while she remained sober.

At a late hour, and while he was under the influence of liquor, she persuaded him to marry her, and the two repaired to the house of Notary Public Craig, whom they induced to draw a marriage contract, binding George Farnsworth and Edna Bruton together for life. The contract was witnessed by some people in the house, duly signed, and the newly married couple went away for their wedding tour.

It was the previous good standing and character of young Farnsworth that gave the incident importance. For nearly a week after the marriage he must have been half stupid from drink, for during all that time he openly appeared as her husband and resided with her at 108 Geary street.

HE REALIZES HIS POSITION.

But at the end of the week Farnsworth realized the shameful position he was in. When a full sense of his disgrace came to him he was appalled, and after an ineffectual attempt to get her consent to get the marriage annulled he fled from the city.

For a time she remained in San Francisco and took the name of Edna Farnsworth, but presently she heard that he had gone up north and followed him first to Seattle and later to Victoria. At Seattle she found Della Wentworth, who had gone there a short time before, and she remained with her.

When George Farnsworth discovered that Edna had followed him he fled again and once more she dogged him, proclaiming that she was his wife and declaring that she would see to it that he remained with her.”

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So what about John Croft, the “inmate” at 14 Broughton Street on that fatal June morning? From the news report, he was a regular at the Wentworth “bagnio” and was on intimate terms with both Edna and Della. Even the hack driver knew him by name. Take his paraphrased comment at the inquest: “She did not wish witness [Croft] to leave the house; sincerely hope the girl did not think enough of [him] to shoot herself; there was no trouble between [him] and the girl.”

In her book, Upstarts and Outcasts: Victoria’s Not-So-Proper Past, Victoria author Valerie Green suggests that John Croft was really George Farnsworth, and that when it seemed that her sister Della would accompany him to the ship, she took it to be the final rejection.

Whatever the case, should Chronicles readers need reminding, it was a man’s world back then and George Farnsworth’s disgrace, which we’ve seen was totally self-inflicted, was seen to be all her fault. He, not she, was the victim.

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How many of us, today, are aware that, in the 1860s, Victoria was hailed as “the most licentious spot on the entire Pacific coast from Sitka to Valparaiso”? That, 10 years later, the Colonist would declare prostitution in the city to have reached epidemic proportions?

Or that history professor Patrick A. Dunae has described the Edwardian period in Victoria as “the heyday of the sex trade” because police records show as many as 300 prostitutes in a city consisting of mostly single men? Most of them worked solo out of ‘cribs,’ or single rooms, while some, like Edna Bruton Farnsworth and the women who testified at the inquest into her suicide, shared her sister’s house on Broughton Street, in the city’s red light district.

If sin was inevitable in “the good old days,” it was supposed to be discreet. In making international news and drawing attention to Victoria’s underside, Edna’s suicide was most, harrumph, unfortunate.

The Colonist’s summed up the tragedy in heartless, self-righteous rhetoric: Edna Farnsworth’s was a “ruined life in which shame and pathos were pitifully blended... [A] wretched life...become so loathsome as to induce her to launch her young spirit into the great unknown world beyond...”

Polite society aside, there were those who did care for her. Edna was interred in the Wesleyan section of Ross Bay Cemetery in an “elegant casket with a silver plaque on the lid and a cluster of flowers surrounding it” after a formal service, complete with minister, at the Broughton Street house where she died. We can assume the costs were borne by sister Della and her coworkers.

A century and a quarter later, 14 Broughton Street is a parking lot. And Edna Farnsworth is going to have a restored grave—see today’s Editorially Speaking...