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- Birth = (WCBR)
Rockford Daily Register Gazette, June 9, 1923
Was "Kidding" About River, Declares Girl
Bernice Bassett Is Found By Police
Bernice Bassett, age 16, 1927 Fifteenth avenue, for whom the police searched all day Friday after she was reported to have made a threat to end her life in the river, was found at the intersection of Kishwaukee and East State streets at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
An acquaintance recognized here as she walked along the street and called the police. After questioning by the officers she was turned over to her father and returned to her home.
She said that after her departure from her home Wednesday night as a result of a quarrel with her parents she spent the remainder of the night and Thursday night at local hotels and during yesterday traveled about the city.
"I was just kidding and meant nothing by it," she said when questioned about her alleged suicide threat. She told the police that she was planning to return to her home last night as her funds were exhausted.
Rockford Daily Register Gazette, June 8, 1923
Child, 16, In Threat To Kill Herself
Bernice Bassett Missing From Home
Police were watching the river and searching the city this afternoon for Bernice Bassett, 16-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Bassett, 1927 Fifteenth avenue, who mysteriously disappeared this morning at 8:30 o'clock and it is feared she ended her life in Rock River.
"I don't know what to do, but I feel like jumping into the river," the girl told Conductor William Morgan of a North Second street car at 8:30 o'clock this morning as she alighted from the car at the north stop at Sinnissippi park. She had boarded the car at 6 a.m. and remained on it for two round-trip journeys during which time she related a long account of trouble with her parents and declared she had not been home since Wednesday night.
Sought To Console Her.
Conductor Morgan sought to console here but on arrival of the car at Sinnissippi park she arose and left the car. She walked northwar on North Second street in a dejected manner. The motorman hastened back to town and notified the police.
Police Sergeant Henry Doebereiner and Officer Tony Shakotzus responded to the call and searched the banks of the river as far north as Wilgus sanitari8um, the vicinity of Northend bridge and Sinnissippi park without finding any trace of her except that a workman in the park reported seeing a girl corresponding to her description walking in the park near North Second street at 9 o'[clock. He said he saw the girl walking near the stop where she left the street car.
Father Joins Search.
The father of the missing girl, who is a street car motorman, was notified and he joined in the search but no trace had been found of her this afternoon. He told the police that his daughter had not been home since Wednesday night.
He said that she had always been kindly treated at home but that during the last few weeks she appeared to have the idea that she was being mistreated and left home last Wednesday night after a quarrel.
No foot prints could be found along the river bank near the north end bridge. Police were unable to account for her method of disappearance unless she jumped from the bridge, or was picked up on North Second street by a passing motorist.
Rockford Register-Republic, June 23, 1975
Bernice Mickelsen
Mrs. Bernice Mickelsen, 69, Dallas, Tex., former Rockford resident, died at 10 a.m. Saturday in Dallas.
She was the widow of Elmer Mickelsen who died in 1966. She moved to Dallas from Rockford two years ago.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Zornow, Dallas; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters, Pearl Keck, Chicago, Lois Jones, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Helen Hutcheson, Covington, Pa., and Kay Siden, Rockford; two brothers, Bud Bassett, Billings Mont., and Clyde Bassett, Chicago.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Julian-Poorman Funeral Home, 304 N. 5th St. Burial in Cedar Bluff Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1906 - 1975 (69 years)