Individual Details
Florence E. Durbin
(Sep 1886 - 7 Nov 1905)
Provided by findagrave.com contributor Marv contributor #47527936.
Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR) - Nov 8, 1905
PISTOL BALLS END TWO YOUNG LIVES
Carl Hurford Shoots Himself and Frenzied Wife Follows His Example
NEWBERG MAN IN DESPAIR While In State of Temporary Insanity Bridegroom of Six Weeks Performs First Act of Terrible Tragedy.
NEWBERG, Or. Nov. 7. (Special.) Death ended the honeymoon of young Carl Hurford and his girl-wife In their little home on the outskirts of Newberg early this morning. Both were found dead in the sleeping-room of their cottage soon after 8 o'clock this morning. It was evident each had used a 35-caliber revolver .
Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR) - Nov 9, 1905
Lovers from: CHILDHOOD. Hurford and His Wife Were Children of Neighboring Farmers.
UNIONVILLE (OR). Mo., Nov. 8. (Special.) Carl Hurford and wife, who committed suicide at Newberg, OR yesterday, were the children of farmers in this county.
The maiden name of Mrs. Hurford was Florence Durbin. She was the daughter of a well-to-do farmer. Her mother died when Florence was a child, and she was reared by her grandparents.
Hurford was the son of a prominent deceased farmer. He and Miss Durbin were playmates, schoolmates and lovers from childhood.
Hurford left Unionville six months ago. He corresponded constantly with Miss Durbin. and it was generally known that the young couple were engaged. Six weeks ago Miss Durbin left here to join her lover. They were married Immediately upon her arrival at Portland.
Hurford bought a home, in Newberg. and letters received by relatives here told of how nicely and comfortably they were situated, and that both were happy and contented.
The young people bore reputations of the best here, and the news of their double suicide came as a shock.
The body of Mrs. Hurford has been ordered shipped back to Unlonville by her father.
From the SPOKANE DAILY CHRONICLE - November 7, 1905
Awful Tragedy At Newberg, Ore.
Carl Hurford and His Six Weeks' Bride Are Both Dead
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov 7 - A special dispatch to the Evening Telegram from Newberg, Ore., reports the tragic death at that place of Carl Hurford and his wife, a bride of six weeks. Whether the tragedy was murder or suicide may never be known. Hurford had been sick for several days.
Today his wife visited the manufactory where her husband was employed, seeking information as to whether he would be reemployed on regaining his health. She was told that her husband's position would be saved for him, but she seemed not to be reassured and appeared very agitated. It was noticed that she kept her hand under her cape during the interview as if hiding something.
Shortly after she returned home a shot was heard and Mrs. Hurford rushed into the street calling for help. Two neighbors responded that as they approached the house a second and third shot were heard.
The body of Mrs. Hurford was found lying on the bed dead and her husband, a gaping wound in his forehead, lay on the floor, both having died instantly.
There are two theories, one that the woman shot her husband, then, becoming frightened, ran into the street calling for help, after which she killed herself. Another theory, however, is that the husband killed himself, and his wife, after calling for help, in her frenzy of fright and anguish, picked up the revolver and sent a bullet crashing through her brain. The revolver was found by the bedside. No powder marks are visible around the husband's fore head. Hurford came here with his mother and brother from Missouri about a year ago. Mrs. Hurford came from Missouri to marry her husband about two months ago.
[NOTE: Other than a small item on November 10 that said her body was being shipped back to Missouri for burial, there were no follow-up articles and the true facts might never have been determined.]
Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR) - Nov 8, 1905
PISTOL BALLS END TWO YOUNG LIVES
Carl Hurford Shoots Himself and Frenzied Wife Follows His Example
NEWBERG MAN IN DESPAIR While In State of Temporary Insanity Bridegroom of Six Weeks Performs First Act of Terrible Tragedy.
NEWBERG, Or. Nov. 7. (Special.) Death ended the honeymoon of young Carl Hurford and his girl-wife In their little home on the outskirts of Newberg early this morning. Both were found dead in the sleeping-room of their cottage soon after 8 o'clock this morning. It was evident each had used a 35-caliber revolver .
Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR) - Nov 9, 1905
Lovers from: CHILDHOOD. Hurford and His Wife Were Children of Neighboring Farmers.
UNIONVILLE (OR). Mo., Nov. 8. (Special.) Carl Hurford and wife, who committed suicide at Newberg, OR yesterday, were the children of farmers in this county.
The maiden name of Mrs. Hurford was Florence Durbin. She was the daughter of a well-to-do farmer. Her mother died when Florence was a child, and she was reared by her grandparents.
Hurford was the son of a prominent deceased farmer. He and Miss Durbin were playmates, schoolmates and lovers from childhood.
Hurford left Unionville six months ago. He corresponded constantly with Miss Durbin. and it was generally known that the young couple were engaged. Six weeks ago Miss Durbin left here to join her lover. They were married Immediately upon her arrival at Portland.
Hurford bought a home, in Newberg. and letters received by relatives here told of how nicely and comfortably they were situated, and that both were happy and contented.
The young people bore reputations of the best here, and the news of their double suicide came as a shock.
The body of Mrs. Hurford has been ordered shipped back to Unlonville by her father.
From the SPOKANE DAILY CHRONICLE - November 7, 1905
Awful Tragedy At Newberg, Ore.
Carl Hurford and His Six Weeks' Bride Are Both Dead
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov 7 - A special dispatch to the Evening Telegram from Newberg, Ore., reports the tragic death at that place of Carl Hurford and his wife, a bride of six weeks. Whether the tragedy was murder or suicide may never be known. Hurford had been sick for several days.
Today his wife visited the manufactory where her husband was employed, seeking information as to whether he would be reemployed on regaining his health. She was told that her husband's position would be saved for him, but she seemed not to be reassured and appeared very agitated. It was noticed that she kept her hand under her cape during the interview as if hiding something.
Shortly after she returned home a shot was heard and Mrs. Hurford rushed into the street calling for help. Two neighbors responded that as they approached the house a second and third shot were heard.
The body of Mrs. Hurford was found lying on the bed dead and her husband, a gaping wound in his forehead, lay on the floor, both having died instantly.
There are two theories, one that the woman shot her husband, then, becoming frightened, ran into the street calling for help, after which she killed herself. Another theory, however, is that the husband killed himself, and his wife, after calling for help, in her frenzy of fright and anguish, picked up the revolver and sent a bullet crashing through her brain. The revolver was found by the bedside. No powder marks are visible around the husband's fore head. Hurford came here with his mother and brother from Missouri about a year ago. Mrs. Hurford came from Missouri to marry her husband about two months ago.
[NOTE: Other than a small item on November 10 that said her body was being shipped back to Missouri for burial, there were no follow-up articles and the true facts might never have been determined.]
Events
| Birth | Sep 1886 |  | |||
| Marriage | 1905 | Carl Wesley Hurford | | ||
| Death | 7 Nov 1905 | Newburg, Yamhill Co. Oregon | | ||
| Burial | Buried under Durbin, Union Church Cemetery, Unionville, Putnam Co., Missouri | |
Families
| Spouse | Carl Wesley Hurford (1883 - 1905) |
| Father | John Richard Durbin (1865 - 1919) |
| Mother | Sarah Elizabeth Garner (1866 - 1887) |
Endnotes
1. Book of Cemeteries in Unionville, MO, Page 285.
2. 1900 Census Putnam Co., Missouri.
3. Find A Grave.
4. Book of Cemeteries in Unionville, MO, Page 285.
5. Find A Grave, Contributor request to add or delete information.
6. Book of Cemeteries in Unionville, MO, Page 285.