The herald., 1893-06-02
DROWNED HERSELF IN WESTLAKE
The Fate of British Consul Nor
timers Sister.
While Deranged from Illness She
Commits the Fatal Act.
She Was Seen Struggling iu the Water
but All Attempts to Rescue Her
Proved Futiie-De tails OF
the Sad Affair.

Miss Mary F. Mortimer, aged 45 years,
sister of British Vice Consul G. White
Mortimer, ended her existence last night
by throwing herself into the water at
Westlake park.
Miss Mortimer was seen about 7 80
struggling in the water by passer-by, /,
who gave the alarm. Charles Van Walk
enberg of 1851 Ingraham street, accom-
panied by friend, jumped into life
boat and pulled out to the drowning
woman. She had drifted out to about
100 feet from the shore, and as they
pushed off their boat she gave stifed
cry and threw up her hands. When the
rescuers reached her body life was ap-
parently extinct. AS quickly as pcssi-
boat house, where j. McKillip, who has
company with other sympathisers, did
the lifeless remains. DR.. Lasher ar
rived soon afterwards, but there had
been no hope from the first, and there
was nothing to be done except cross the
dead woman's hands upon the lifeless
U1OnDv tAiAA hOCP hW ay buO CfOWQs
Just at this time ex-Mayor Hazard
telephoned out to McKillip that he had
reason to believe tina woman who was
deranged was wandering about the park,
and McKillip was requested to look
after her. Mr.. Hazard was told that
the body OF woman had been already
recovered and was awaiting identihca-
tion. On hearing this Mr.. Hazard tele-
phoned that he would come out to claim
the body. Shortly afterwards he ar
rived in company with Mr.. Mortimer.
A man went forward with a lantern,
but there was no need for light; with
a groan Mr.. Mortimer buried his face in
his hands, and leaning on the shoulder
of his old friend, Mr.. Hazard, he stag
gered out of the staring crowd, and sup
ported by his friend gave way to his
grief.
Mr.. Hazard gave the following facts to
the HERALD reporter:
Miss Mortimer had been suffering con-
siderably of late, and for the last few
days had been slightly out of her mind.
She lived with her mother, Mrs. Morti-
mer, on Grand avenue, and was in the
habit Of driving every day in WestlHke
park with her mother.
Several times lately on returning
from the drive she had remerkee
that she was afraid of the water, and
the drives had been discontinued. Yes
terday afternoon Mrs. Mortimer went
out by herself, and on returning about
six O'Clock was told by the maid that
Miss Mortimer was upstairs. She was
not to be found however, and her
mother, becoming nervous, informed
Mr.. Hazard who lives close by. Know
ing what Miss Mortimer had said about
the water in the park the ex mayor tel
ephoned to the park, as has already been
stated, the message arriving too late to
pstYyAnt +ha rnnsnnn nnatinn Of She tre-
The body was conveyed to Mrs. Nor.
timers house by Chase & Co.. where it
will remain to await the inquest.
Ii the lights at the far end OF the water
had been lit the woman's life might
have been saved, for there were several
boat loads of people on the lake ct the
time; the place, however, was IN dark
ness.
A shocking feature of the affair was
the behavior OF two young women and a
man who, taking seats directly in front
OF the body, cracked Jokes and laughed
among themselves, while Mr.. Mortimer
was giving way to his grief. 1t is need
less to say they were promptly repri-
manded.