Violet Eloise Whaley

Violet Eloise Whaley (October 14, 1862 - August 18, 1885) was the second daughter and fifth child born to Thomas and Anna Whaley on October 14th, 1862, historically known for her tragic suicide in Old Town, San Diego at her family home, the Whaley House, and also believed by locals and visitors of the Whaley House Museum to be one of the many spirits who haunts the property.

Early Years and Family
Violet Whaley was born October 14, 1862 to Thomas Whaley and Anna Eloise Whaley who were then living in San Francisco, California, due to Mr. Whaley's business ventures in that city. She later moved with her parents and older siblings back to the family home, the Whaley House in Old Town, San Diego, California. Violet's father had established himself as an important local settler, businessman, and was even elected President of the Board of Trustees from 1858-1859 in San Diego, which caused her family to rise to fair prominence in the local community. The family was also admired for their grand and beautiful Greek revival style home, the Whaley House, which Mr. Whaley completed, in 1857.

Marriage and Divorce
At the age of 19, Violet Whaley had a double wedding with her elder sister, Anna Amelia, on January 5, 1882. She married George T. Bertolacci while her sister wed her first cousin John T. Whaley, son of Henry Hurst Whaley. Two weeks into Violet's marriage, as the couple was traveling back east on their honeymoon, she awoke one morning to find her husband gone. George T. Bertolacci, as it turned out, was a con artist, and as Violet and her family later learned, had only married her for the substantial dowry he believed he would collect. He had several aliases: George, Edson, and was supposedly Steward of the Poor House in Old Town at the time of the marriage. After his desertion, Violet returned home to her family in Old Town, San Diego. Due to the restrictive morals and societal standards of the time period, Violet was essentially shunned by polite society upon returning home, not only without her husband, but also unchaperoned, something proper ladies simply did not do in late 19th century Victorian society. Violet and George's divorce was finalized approximately a year later, but Violet never recovered from the public humiliation caused by George's betrayal and suffered from depression.

Death
In the two years following Violet's divorce, she dealt with overwhelming feelings of despair, anxiety, and sorrow, thus becoming a virtual recluse in her family home and rarely leaving her room, located upstairs in the rear bedroom. Violet's family put her on suicide watch after a failed attempt to drown herself on July 5, 1885, after jumping out the upstairs back window into the cistern in the backyard. After this event, Violet's depression was monitored by a local physician, Dr. Gregg, and her family kept close watch on her. The only place she was allowed to be alone was the family privy (outhouse) in the backyard. However, one day Violet asked her father for the key to his writing desk, claiming she wished to retrieve paper and begin writing poetry again. Mr. Whaley, relieved, falsely believed this to be sign of her spirits lifting. Violet instead retrieved his 32-calibre handgun, which he had completely forgotten he left hidden in the back of the desk.

On the morning of August 18, 1885, she awoke very early, went out to the privy and shot herself in the chest. Her father, upon hearing the gunshot, ran outside, recovered his daughter, carried her into the house and laid her down on the chaise in the back parlor, before running into town to try and find help. Although her official autopsy report as well as the official inquest following her death concluded she had shot herself in the heart, it is more likely that she hit one of her lungs as she took some 15-20 minutes to bleed to death with her family at her side. She was then just 22 years of age. Violet left a suicide note behind, which read:

"Mad from life's history, Swift to death's mystery; Glad to be hurled, Anywhere, anywhere, out of this world."

Aftermath of suicide
There was an official inquest August 19, 1885, the day following Violet's suicide, which looked into the details of her death. Violet's younger sister Lillian (Corinne) was called as a witness in this inquest. When asked why her sister had desired to kill herself, Lillian's reply was:

"I don't know why —think she was tired of life —tired of living here —thought no one cared for her and that her life was a burden."

At the time of Violet's death, Lillian herself was engaged. However, due to the taboo nature of suicide in this time period, her fiance broke off the engagement.

On August 23, 1885, The Union published the following: "We desire to express our heartfelt tanks for the many kindnesses shown us by loving and sympathetic friends, both Spanish and American, during our recent terrible bereavement. To Mr. Restarick, our generous pastor, for his kind consolation: to Mr. Mason and the school children of Old Town, for their thoughtfulness in singing their parting songs at the late home (Whaley House) of their beloved friend: and to the press of San Diego and National City for their consoling notices, we extend assurances of our grateful remembrance. Wishing all our friends happiness and lives free from the trying ordeal, such as has been our experience, we remain, Thomas Whaley and Mrs. Thomas Whaley."

Three months after Violet's death, Mr. Thomas Whaley began building a separate residence for the family downtown, and within time, the family vacated the Whaley House, very likely due to the recent tragedy. It would fall into disrepair, uninhabited until a then widowed Mrs. Whaley and several of her children returned in 1909.

Violet Whaley's body is interred in the Whaley family plot at Mt. Hope Cemetery.