Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-10
LOVE AFFAIR
Cause of Suicide of Girl
at Waterville
Was Ward Of State and Had Formerly
Resided at Augusta-Claimed that
Persistent Attention Of Young Man
Was Cause of Rash Act

Waterville, Me-. Sept 9.-Mary E.
Fallon, known here as Elizabeth
Marsh, aged 16 years, ward of the
| state. committed suicide early Sun
day morning by jumping in front of
the early morning passenger train on
the back road, which was in charge
of Engineer James Clark and Con-
ductor Emery W. Cook.
Seen by SienaIman
The girl was first observed by
signal man, w. F. Blair of Oakland.
who was making his regular trip in
over the road at about $50 She was
sitting on the abutment at the east
| end of the Tin bridge, so-called. the
fsmall bridge over the MessalonSkec
near the billiard shoe factory. When
| he returned few minutes later she
had disappeared and he thought no
more of it at the time When the
passenger train. which left Water
vile at $50. rounded the curve the
engineer saw the girl sitting on the
! rail about 60 feet from the east end
Of the bridge. Just as the engine got
to her she threw herself backwards
/, between the rails. the engine striking
and crushing her head and cutting
off both legs. The train was stopped
| as quickly as possible and the body
removed from the rails. The train
then proceeded to Oakland where Of
ficials were notified and also Medical
Examiner DR.. E. r. Fish.
The body was later removed to Red
ington's undertaking rooms and will
await orders from Mrs. Ada F. Hunt.
the agent of the State for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Children, under
whose care the girl was.
Taken When Small Child
Elizabeth Marsh, the dead girl, was
taken from her parents when a small
child by the State and placed under
the care of Mrs. Hunt. The girl was
said to be confirmed kleptomaniac
and for that reason great care had
been exercised in selecting home in
which she could be placed. For many
years she lived with a family in Dex-
ter but last May was brought to this
lily anu tdAtn ny III. anu AllS. u. r.
Hurd and has lived with them since.
They knew of her infirmity and had
striven earnestly by kindness and
care to effect u cure.
A Talented Musician
The girl was talented musician and
had been given every opportunity to pro-
gress in her musical studies. Owing to
her penchant for taking that which did
not belong to her it had been necessary
whenever she went out to have some per-
son with her who could watch her care
fully. She wanted to overcome her de-
ficiency and seemed to thoroughly appre-
ciate The efforts made in her behalf and
apparently was very happy in her home.
During the summer. while the play
grounds were in operation, she was al
lowed to accompany a member of the
family to the grounds and there met n
young man who, according to the story
told ny the girl TO Mrs. Hurd had fol-
lowed her persistently since he met her
there.
First knowledge Of Affair
The first knowledge of his attention
came to Mrs Hurd on Saturday evening
when Mrs. Hurd started to 60 down
street and noticed a man watching her
home She turned back after going
few rods and saw the fellow go between
her house and the one adjoining and fol-
lowed him to her back door, where she
stood waiting for moment, after which
he came out from behind the stable. She
spoke to him and said Come here" He
came up to the door and said: rs DIR.
vi iy,9 lio5 hat he
the same time throwing open the door
so that the light would shine in the fell
lows face. She then recognized him and
told him to come around to the front
porch. and there. according to Mrs. Hurd.
he admitted that he had been watching
the house and when she had left 1t to go
down street In the evening. as was her
custom occasionally, he had come there
to see the girl He promised Mrs. Hurd
that he would leave town Sunday morn
/ ing and that she would have no further
bother from him.
Promise Of Marriage
| Mrs. Hurd then talked with the girl
who at first denied her relationship
with the young man. but when Mrs.
Hurd told her that she had already
! talked with him, admitted IL. but de-
clared that he had promised to marry
her. She told Mrs. Hurd that he said
that he had been married once but
was now divorced and was free to
marry her. Mrs. Hurd told the girl
that she would take the matter up
with Mrs. Hunt, who no doubt would
sanction the marriage and that for her
part she would do everything pos
sible to assist her. The girl seemed to
| feel all right about it but DR.. and
Mrs. Hurd did not feel comfortable in
| their minds and fearing return Of
the young man again to the house
| during the night, the doctor several
times got up and went around the
building. At about midnight a pa
tient came to the house and at that
time all was quiet and the girl was
certainly in her room. Sunday morn
ing the girls room was found locked
on the inside but she was missing.
Escaped Through Window
An open window onto the piazza
showed how she had made her escape.
Just how she got down over tho