Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-04
MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE.
Mary Barrett Potter Found Dead
Yesterday Morning at 9 o'clock.
Discovered on the kennebec Flats al Low
Tide. Hall Immersed.

The most mysterious suicide occurred
here Wednesday morning, that has been
known for some time. There seems TO be
no reason for the act and relatives say they
do not understand it. The news soon
spread all over the city, when it became
known that the remains of Miss Mary Bar
rett Potter, aged SO years, had been dis
covered on the flats of the river, near
BIRTHS gulley.
Alonzo Britt. who lives very near the
bank at this place was the first to see the
body, this being about o'clock. Coroner
Libby was Immediately notified and went
to the place where the discovery was made,
with Deputy Sheriff Morse and others.
Investigation showed that it was a clear
case of suicide and an inquest was
unnecessary, there being no signs of injury.
The body was partially immersed when
found, it then bsiog low tide. When the
tide is in the depth Of water at this place
is about II feet. The clothing was all
very nice, the outside garment being a
prown plaid wrapper and over this was a
gossamer cape. Upon the head was q
white knit hood. When found the body
was lying face down. Indications did not
show that it had been in the water very
long, as no enlargement had begun.
nuripn ba 90
called at the residence at the corner of
Green and State streets and conversed with
her brother and sister regarding the matter
They said, MARY seemed to be in excellent
health last evening and nothing at all
peculiar was noticed. She has been in
good health comparatively, with the excep-
ton of a few weeks ago, she was troubled
with sleepy spells
While talking about it, her sister re-
marked "She and l chatted away till 10
o'clock, when she went to her room and re-
tired. Mrs. Warner called to see US for a
short time in the first part of the evening.
Mr.. Potter was in the kitchen and a lady
named Miss Mcdonald called to see him on
business. He came into the sitting room to
see the lady and my sister was then in the
room. She remained short time and then
came upstairs where l was. This was
about o'clock, and Mr.. Potter did not see
her again. In the morning she generally
comes into my room, but this morning
went to hers, but she was not there. The
bed, though, appeared as it would after she
had slept in it. Joe Drake, who works at
the Thompson residence across the street,
said that at 6,45 he saw her 60 out of the
back door and down State street, but where
she started for he did not know. We
missed her at breakfast, and became
alarmed. Not long after we were informed
that the body had been found in the river,
and that it was pronounceda case of suicide.
There never were any indications of insanity
in the family and we are unable to account
for this strange occurrence. She had never
be en- in that section of the city before that
1 know of, and had nothing to cause her to
70 there this morning. 1t is a mystery
to u.s."
No reasons can be given for this puzzling
affair, except that it might have been the
effect of sudden insanity. Sunday she had
attended service at the Congregational
church, of which she was an active and
attentive member for many years. She was
also a prominent member of the Christian
Alliance of this city and took more or less
interest in various religious move
ments. Every Monday evening
for a long time a Bible
class of the Sunday school teachers has
been held at the residence, in which she had
taken an active part, and last Monday even
ing, she wished all to come again, seeming
very cheerful.
Three sisters survive her, Mrs. Caroline
Deering, Mrs. Sarah Ladd, Miss Anna
Potter, and two brothers, B. Z. Potter and
Hon. John f. Potter of Wisconsin, and be-
sides several other relatives in this city.
The remains were taken in charge by
Trouant & Bates, undertakers. The funeral
will be Friday.