• James became rich, had two daughters, one married and lived in luxury in Minneapolis, the other was deserted, unhappy and went to her sister for comfort – was so cruelly treated she walked into the ocean one day and was drowned.36, p 2, lines 54-59

• My name is Bruce Bryant from Minneapolis. I saw your family tree on line. I have been searching and searching for information on James Obrien and his wife Carolyn Mullen. I would be very interested to hear what you have found and what sources you have. I am a descendant of Ada Elizabeth O’Brien and have information on her if your interested.2119

• Ada committed suicide sometime before November 2, 1903. I have some newspaper articles about her drowning in Keegans Lake, which is now called Wirth Lake in the heart of Minneapolis. She was buried in an unmarked grave at the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. My grandfather had a nice headstone placed over her grave in 1968.2113

• [excerpts] The dead body of what was once a handsome young woman was found floating face downward near the west side of Keegan’s lake about 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. ...and although the body had probably been in the water for a week, it still presented traces of beauty as it lay on the slab at the county morgue awaiting identification.2038, p 2

• [excerpts] While the officers have not been able to identify the woman’s body found floating in Keegan’s lake yesterday afternoon, they have found the initials, “A. B.” embroidered with solo thread in the band of her corset cover. The officers now feel sure that some one will call the morgue and identify her.
A white powder, found in the pocket of her jacket, points to suicide.2038, p 3

• [excerpts] The publication of the initials “A. B.” led to the identification of the remains as those of Mrs. Elizabeth Ada Bryant, a nurse at Bethany home. James McArdle, her brother-in-law, read the description of the body and clothing and at once recognized them as those of his wife’s sister. He called at the county morgue and positively identified the remains.
The unfortunate woman was seen a few nights later hanging about the shore of the lake acting in a strange manner. She would wade a short distance into the lake and then run back to shore, moaning piteously. Some men tried to get near her, but she avoided them by running away thru the under brush toward Western avenue.
Mr. McArdle says that ever since she was a small child she had talked of self-destruction and whenever she was crossed in anything her first thought seemed to be to commit suicide.
Mrs. Bryant was 35 years of age. She was married several years ago to John Bryant, who keeps a livery barn at First avenue S and Twenty-sixth street. to them were born two sons, one of whom is about 12 years old and the other 7 years old. About three years ago she and her husband were divorced, he taking the older boy and going to Canada, where he had landed interests, while she remained in the city with the other boy.2038, p 4

• [excerpts] Indications all point to the theory that she committed suicide. The death certificate will be made out to that effect.
Despondency caused by ill-health and reverses in life’s struggle is assigned as the reason for Mrs. Bryant’s deed.
The woman disappeared from the home of relatives at 812 Eighth avenue north October 12. She had gone there from Bethany Home, where she had been working as a nurse for three months to reasperate her health. She remained at the residence two days and the noon hour (October 12) put on her wraps and went down town. That was the last seen of her until her dead body was viewed at the county morgue.
Mrs. Bryant’s maiden name was Elizabeth Ada O’Brien. She was a daughter of James O’Brien, a harness maker, now deceased. She married J. M. Bryant, liveryman. They lived together until three years ago, when a divorce was secured by the wife.
Mrs. Bryant was 35 years old at the time of her death and aside from her threats of suicide had always been considered a normal woman, hard working and faithful.2038, p 5

• 1870 Census: Rock Run, Stephenson, Illinois. Age 2, b IN.2039,2036
• 1875 Minnesota Census: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. Age 11, b IN. Parents b VT.2040
• 1880 Census: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. Age 12, b IN.2041
• 1885 Minnesota Census: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. Age 17, b IN.2042
• 1900 Census: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. Age 31, b Jan 1868?, IN. Parents b VT. Mother of 2 living children.2122