Dr. Emma Magdalene Gunkel
 

Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 March 1890, page 2

NEWPORT


Dr. Emma Gunkel has gone to Florida on a visit.

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Cincinnati Enquirer, Friday, 26 May 1899, page 7

DEATH

Emma Gunkel, born Feb 8, 1864, died May 24, 1899. Funeral Saturday, May 27, 1899 at 2 pm from residence, 11 E Sixth av. Newport Ky.

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Cincinnati Enquirer, Thursday, 8 June 1899, page 8

NEWPORT

The many erroneous and uncalled for rumors relative to the death of Dr. Emma Gunkel, have all been thoroughly investigated by Coroner Dr. Higgins and that official yesterday rendered his verdict in the case, clearing forever the base imputation that the noble woman had ended her life.

Dr. Higgins said; "I would have preferred to see the matter dropped but persistent rumors have been put in circulation, most of which have been found to be without foundation. Besides this, Miss Gunkel's brother, Dr. Charles Gunkel has declared that he wants possession of two letters, one addressed and stamped, the other unaddressed, which Miss Gunkel left.  One of these Dr.Gunkel declares and proves by the testimony of Dr. Taliaferro, was addressed to him. Dr. Gunkel's persistent efforts to force a further investigation "have led me to keep the case open longer than I had intended."

"There has been no positive evidence to prove that Miss Gunkel committed suicide. The fact that she bought laudanum the day previous to her death proves nothing, for she used it every day in her practice as a physician.  Even the finding of the letters alluded to by Dr. Charles Gunkel would not prove that she had intended to take her own life, for the finding of a stamped envelope would rather show that she expected to mail the missive the next day.  Miss Gunkel was subject to violent attacks of headaches and the day before her death, she was know to have retired early.  There is no doubt but that the immediate cause was by coma, from the fact that she was heard to breathe heavily during the night by a person who attached little significance to the fact that she was sleeping soundly.  This cause of death is usually brought about by apoplexy, which I believe was the real cause of Miss Gunkel's demise.  taking into consideration her standing in life, there is no ground for the suspicion of suicide." Dr. M Higgins

 

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