Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1885 — A Mad Mother’s Act. [ARTICLE]

A Mad Mother’s Act.

[Dahlgren (III) special.] The, good people of this town are considerably worked up over a horrible double tragedy and suicide committed in their midst. Mrs. James Williams was the daughter of Squire Atchison, a well-to-do resident of Dahlgren, and one of the leading men of Hamilton County. Several years ago she married, against her father’s wishes, a poor farmer named James Williams. They rented a small farm and tried to make a good living, but somehow the crops didn’t turn out well, and they had hard work keeping the wolf from the door. Then Squire Atchison died, and, as he was well off, Mrs Williams thought now they could pay for their farm and make some much-needed improvements; but unfortunately the old gentleman had cut her off with a pittance, leaving his property to her more fortunately situated brothers and sisters. This preyed on her mind, and she finally determined to end her sorrows and save her children from a miserable future. While her husband was off at work last Friday she threw her oldest child, a little girl, into the well, and, fastening her baby to her dress, jumped in herself, dragging the baby after her. She left no note behind to tell where she and the children had gone, and it was not until the next day 'that their bodies were found at the bottom of the well, with a sheet of ice above them, the water having frozen during the night. The coming American pianist is coming from California. He is James K. Mansfield, who has been a pupil of Liszt, and lately has astonished a critical audience in Berlin by his wonderful performance on the piano. It is reported in Louisville that a woman of that city in November sent Gov. Cleveland a large plum pudding which was found to contain poison. She has disappeared. Several great statesmen will keep their stockings banging until the last horn blows, if it takes until dog days. President Cleveland will have the appointing of at least two Major Generals.