Notes for: Mary Frances Maxwell

News item, "The Fairmont West Virginian," Thursday, July 1 1909, in its entirety:

SUICIDE WAS DELIBERATED
MARY MAXWELL CARRIED BARREL TO TREE TO WHICH SHE HUNG HERSELF
CLARKSBURG. W. Va.. July 1 -- Particulars of the death by hanging of Miss Mary Maxwell, 15-year-old daughter of Leeman Maxwell, of Bluestone, Doddridge county, show the act to have been one of deliberate suicide. The girl carried a barrel from the barn to the apple tree from which she hung herself late Monday afternoon. She also got some nails and drove two in a limb of the tree. Her mother asked her what she was doing and she replied that she was preparing lo pick some apples.
That night, after the family had gone to bed, she sat up reading. It is supposed she slipped out of the house about midnight, went to the appIe tree, climbed upon the barrel, placed the rope around her neck and then jumped from the barrel. A note was found pinned to her dress which contained the request that the family not grieve over her and to take a trip to Mount Clare, this county, the following day as they had planned.
The coroner decided her death was a case of suicide. No cause is assigned by the family for the act. The girl was in her usual health and appeared to be cheerful and lively.