Agnes Lawrence

"Miss Agnes Lawrence, an unusually attractive and pretty girl, who was employed as a nurse in Stormont hospital, committed suicide between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. last evening, by drinking two ounces of carbolic acid. The only explanation of the suicide was an unsigned note left by the girl which read: '𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏.'" -Topeka State Journal, July 30, 1909.

Agnes Lawrence was only 16 and had worked at Stormont only six months. She was discovered on the floor of her room on the third floor after her shift with the note and bottle of acid lying next to her.

On June 1, 1908, she enrolled in Christ's Hospital. She was dismissed after four months, returned home to Perry, then entered Stormont's program. Both programs require girls to be at least 20, which Agnes claimed to be despite only being 15.

Agnes was born to Louis and Eva Lawrence in Lees Summit, Missouri on March 6, 1893. According to the 1900 Census, the family lived in St. Louis, Missouri, and Agnes had a brother, Louis, and sister, Essie. Neither doctors and nurses at Christ's Hospital or Stormont nor Agnes' mother could fully explain why Agnes committed suicide and the identity of the man is unknown.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, please contact the National Suicide Lifeline at 988.