Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-03
MRS.POTTER'SDEAT
Particulars Of the Tragic Scene
Enacted at Chicago.
OPINIONS OF THE PHYSICIANS.
The Verdict of the Coroner's Inquest-She Was
Suffering from Temporary insanity.
When the Nurse Was Out, She Climbed Out
of Fourth story Window. Hung to
the Ledge and Dropped-Had
Been Recovering.
OPINIONS OF THE PHYSICIANS
Sad in the Extreme.

Specia. TO the Gazette
CHICAGO, Ill, June Mrs. Grace Pot
ter. the beautiful wife of Gilbert T. Potter
OF Fort Worth, Tex, committed suicide
early yesterday morning at Lincoln park
sanitarium, by throwing herself from "a
fo1eth story window. She was almost in
stantly killed.
Four weeks ago Mr. Potter arrived in the
city with his wife, who had been suffering
for several years. Mrs. Potter was taken
to Lincoln Park sanitarium for treatment.
She underwent painful operation, and
since then had been recovering. Her SUI
ferings have been extreme. and the long
strain upon her nerves at last caused her TO
commit the fatal deed Early in the morn
ing Miss Stewart, the nurse who was at
tending her, was sent by the invalid to
bring her
GLASS OF WATER.
Miss Stewart had no sooner left the room.
which is situated near the northeast corner
of the building, than Mrs. Potter arose
from her bed and, going to the window, de-
liberately opened it. climbed out, hung to
the ledge for a few seconds and then
dropped to the stone pavement below. Not
a sound was made by the desperate woman,
either whilst falling or upon striking.
Notwithstanding the early hour, three
children. Charley Benny and Mabel Franks,
aged twelve, ten and seven years respect
lively, were playing upon the walk within
few feet from the spot when Mrs. Potter
struck Little Mabel happened to look up
ward and saw the woman hanging from the
window ledge. She was too frightened to
shout anT could only touch her brothers
arm and point upward.
AS THE BODY FELL.
Benny, the second Oldest boy, i'm
mediately ran into the sanitarium and in
formed them of the happening The at
=
red the inSensible form of the unfortunate
woman into the house Mrs. Potter never
spoke after that and was dead when found.
After the physicians had pronounced her
dead the body was taken to the Monroe
street morgue. where an inquest was held.
1t was decided that she committed suicide
while temporarily insane.
Mr. Potter is president of the Southern
d Eiiea company of Fort Worth. He was here
/ few days ago and did not have the re-
hottest idea that his wife contemplated sui
eide He seemed to be devOtedly attached
TO her. and from all could learn she was
the same to him.
Mrs Potter would have been able to re-
turn.to her home in about month. She
frequently asked the nurses if she would
ever have a return of her trouble. and they
assured her she would not, and after hear
ing such statements she would sigh YEARLY
and repeat over and over again: ''Oh
heaven! may it soon be over"
As these expressions were frequently
heard, everyone suppose she was abiding
10 the ending of her sufferings and no i'm
DOrtance was attached to these utteranceS,
but the physicians believe she had been
contemplating suicide for quite a while.
The deed seemed to have been committed
after she had thought camly and collectedly
about it, and finally decided that it would
be for the best for her to end all her awful
sufferings in one short moment.
In health she was a marvellously beauti-
full woman.
Mr.. Potter will arrive here Wednesday
night.