The Washington times., 1922-10-08
RIVER SUICIDE
FORMER BELLE
IN MISSISSIPPI
Reverses Believed to Have
Prompted Mrs. Irene Fewe''
To Drown Herself.

Price Fewell, former employe OF
the Department of Justice and
member Of a prominent Missis-
sippi family, contemplated sui
eide for months before she
finally walked into the Potomac
river on Monday night, her
clothing weighted, and found
the "only way out"
On five successive days prior
to the tragedy Mrs. Fewell Wis.,
tied the spot at the Virginia
end of the Highway Bridge,
where her body subsequently
was found.
Suicide Certificate Issued.
Coroner J. Ramsay hewitt, salts.
fled Of the circumstances in the
case, issued a certificate of suicide.
On Saturday of last week. Mrs.
Caldwell Maxwell. sister OF the
drowned woman. and employed at
the Department of Justice, received
a telegram stating that her mother,
Mrs. c. s. w. Price. was dying at
the old home in Meridian. Miss.
Mrs. Maxwell located her sister in
downtown department store and
told her Of their mothers condition.
Mrs. Fewell was Frustrated over the
report. She became hysterical am
was placed in the care OF friend,
and Mrs. Maxwell left for Meridian.
Prior to the tragedy Mrs. Max
well had been puzzled over her sis
ter's trips across the river. Her eX-
planatjon was that she had friends
she was visiting in Alexandria.
Mothers Death Hurried Act.
A later telegram announced the
death OF Mrs. Fewell's mother. This
was the sorrow that hurried her
plans TO destroy herself.
| Purchasing a new eight-pound
smoothing iron Mrs. Fewell board
| I'd an electric car and went TO her
rendezvous In the shadow OF the
bridge.
Strapping the iron about her waist
and filling the pockets Of her long
cape with Jumps OF paving material.
she walked into the water and lay
| prone on the bottom Of the river.
Mrs. Fewell had often threatened
! to end her life and not leave trace.
| There was no mark of identification
on her when the body was taken
from the river early Friday morning.
Formerly making her home with
her sister at 219 A street northwest,
Mrs Fewell some months ago moved
TO the Grace Dodge Hotel and re.
Gently had lived at the Hotel Wins
| low.
Was Belle Of Meridian.
Some years ago Mrs. Fewell. as
pretty Irene Price. was a belle Of
hn ,.,-iaH VIII
Fewell. member of one Of the most
prominent families in the State. His
father, the late J. w. Fewell. was
for several terms circuit judge.
An estrangement later developed
between Will Fewell and his wife.
She came TO Washington and for
| few months did war work with the
Department of Justice. Her position
was secured through former Attor-
ney General Thomas w. Gregory,
native OF Mississippi and a longtime
friend OF the family.
Mrs. Fewells father, DR.. c. S. w.
Price. was secretary to the late Con.
| gressman Sam A. Witherspoon of
Mississippi. Later he was a door.
keeper OF the House.
Mrs. Fewell frequently went to and
| from Washington and Meridian, but
when in the South did not see her
husband. They had separated, but
| few people knew Of it.
In recent years Mrs. Fewell, who
was a fastidious dresser. eked out an
existence here by taking orders from
friends for dresses. She always
counseled friends here to SAY
nothing about my troubles to the
folks back at home, for they think l
am happy"
Mrs. Fewells husband is reported
to be large land owner in MIssis-
sippi. He formerly practiced law
with his father. but later and at the
present time is looking after his
farming interests and conducts a
lumber business.
Separation Puzzled Friends.
A telegram last night from Meri'
dian said
"Why Will Fewell and his wife
were living apart has never been
| made public here. Even close
| friends were not aware of their sep
aration. There is no reason known
| here that might have prompted her
TO end her life.
| Mrs. Fewell Is said to have left
this city to make her home In Wash.
ington something over two years
ago, and has since resided there with
her sister. Mrs. Caldwell Maxwell.
She was prominent in social
| circles here before and after her
marriage. She was of bright,
sunny disposition, and a favorite
with large circle of close per
sonal friends. The news OF he:
death was great shock to her
friends and friends Of the family
here"
The body of the dead woman has
been turned over to William F.
Franklin, friend OF the family, and
Is being prepared for burial by the