Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-02
DROWNED HERSELF.
Probable Suicide of Mrs. Nettie
S. Head at sWaterWIIe.
Thought to Have Thrown Herself in
River While Temporarily Insane.
Body Not found--T Terrible Shock to
the FarniIy.

Waterville, Me-. March 1.-(SpeciaD
So far as can be learned, Mrs. Nettie
S. Head, aged 63, mother of Clair V.
Heald of this city, committed suicide,
Saturday night, While suffering from
4 temporary fit AZ insanity. Mrs.
Head, whose honia#is in Boston, had
been spending the winter with her son
and assisting hinl3in the serious ill
ness of his wife. She had been in her
usual health up to Est Thursday, when
some slight pecuifrities We're noticed
in her manner.
These were not very marked and did
not incline to violence of any sort and,
although they caused some anxiety as
to her health, they twere not considered
serious and not very much attention
was paid to them. They became more
marked, Friday, and on Saturday she
said something about she and her
sons baby being mesmerized. She
seemed to be suffering from the illusion
that she was in the power of some one
and might be forced to do something
her will. But it was all very vague
and Mr.. Head had no fear but that she
could be properly controlled without
any danger and without assistance
from outside the family.
She retired to her room about the
usual time, Saturday evening. and the
family supposed that she had gone to
bed. Mr.. Heald was in the bath room
when his wife heard his mother come
down the stairs and go to the front
~. Il.
she had been running to the door at
frequent intervals all through the day.
But this time she passed quickly out.
Mr.. Heald's wife was in no condition
ia follow on account of her health and
before he was able she had disappeared.
search was at once made and
tracks were found leading around the
house and down over the bank to the
Mcssalonskee Mr.. Healds house is on
iiurleigh street and is almost within a
stones throw of the stream and just
a short distance above the pumping
station Of the Maine Water Co.
city Marshal Harrington and the
men at the pumping station We're noti-
fled at once and as much of search
as could then be made in the darkness
Was instituted. The racks at the sta
ton We're watched all through the
night and every thing possible was
done, but nC trace of the body could be
located. The stream is all open in the
rear Of Mr.. Healds house and the wa
ter is now very high and swift on ac-
count of the last rain.
From all that has been learned there
seems to be little, doubt that Mrs.
Head went straight from the house
ana threw herself into the water and if
this is SO the chances are that the body
went over the power station dam and
that Of the Chase wooden mill. The
search was continued, Sunday, but
without success and Will be resumed
Monday.
Mrs. Head was married twice and is
survived by her second husband.
Nathan Head of Boston, and three
children. These are Clair V. Head of
this city. Miss Anna =. Head of Au-
burn, and Willis +. Grant Of Boston.
The case is particularly sad as Mrs.
clair Head is Just recovering from a
sickness that all but caused her death
ana the shock has been very severe for
hc: and especially so for Mr.. Head.
The family mas the sincere sympathy
of every one.