Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-08
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN
Mrs. Martha West browns Herself in the
River.
Constantly Maltrented by Her Hus.
band-Other Happenings Across
Rock Creek.

Mrs. Martha West, a thin, pale-faced lit
tie woman about forty years of age, COM
mitted suicide by drowning this morning.
She jumped into the Potomac near Ten
neys mill, Georgetown, about 8 o'clock.
sank, came up and sank again. Geo. War
rem of the schooner Clytie, lying near, saw
her then, and attempted a rescue. Before
he could accomplish anything, however,
the woman wert down for the last time.
The body was recovered a few moments
later and carried to the shore. Restora-
tives were applied and all resuscitating
methods adopted. but only a gasp or two
rewarded the workers, and death quickly
followed. The patrol was summoned and
the body was taken to the seventh pre-
cinct morgue.
She Left Sad Letter.
The suicide was the wife of Alexander
West, who resides on the Canal road, just
west of the Aqueduct bridge.
1t was a deliberate suicide, as evidenced
by the following letter. found at the wo-
mans home by small son, and turned
over to Officer Augustus Brown:
For Willie West:
Goodbye to all. I am going to the
river-going to leave all of you forever. 1
am tired of life. Take care of my dear
children. Life is no good to ME. The river
Is my purpose. Take care of Howard for
my sake. Farewell. 1 will never see your
face again. In the river you will find
me-"
Her Husband's Cruelty
Mrs. Vests domestic life has been very
unhappy, and the general belief is that she
sought rest from it in death. Her hus-
band has been arrested several times for
wife-beating, though when he was taken
to court she would always intercede for
him.
Ne.ghbors and the police say the West
home was in turmoil the greater part of
the time. There was never happiness there.
Several children left by the suicide.
The Howard, of whom she speaks in her
last letter, was sent TO the Reform School,
but escaped some time ago and is still at
large, 1t is said.
Celebrated Her Eighty-Fifth Birthday
At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. H. C.
Riley, in Tenleytown, yesterday Mrs. Anna
Davis celebrated her eighty-fifth birthday.
Four generations We're represented at the
house, and all Wed with each other in
making the occasion one long to be remem-
bered. The old lady was the recipient
of many congratulations and the wish that
she may be long spared to her loved ones
was expressed by all.
Death of Thomas Little.
Thomas Little the oldest of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal Company's employees,
died yesterday at his home near Williams
port He was over eighty and had spent
nearly one-third of his life in various oc-
equations pertaining to the waterway. Old
age and general debility produced death.
Deceased was known Familiarity to every
follower of the canal. and his great store
of anecdotes. war "reminiscences and ge-
nialities kept him a big favorite. His
death is deeply regretted all along the line.
General Notes of Interest.
Harry f. Belt yesterday sold to Thos. w.
Smith for S1,025. part of lot n. square 30.
DIR. Chas. 7. Lindsay and wife are back
in town after a pleasant recreation.
DR.. A. b. Sheckell and wife left today for
lake, New York, where they
will spend some time.
Miss Alice Dale and Miss Ivy Dale of
N street are visiting friends in Maryland.