GAGE, Mrs. Moses

GAGE, DUNLAP, DAMON

Posted By: Sue Weber (email)
Date: 12/24/2001 at 09:37:42

De Witt Observer Apr 1876

Suicide of Mrs. Moses Gage

Mr. N.J. (Naomi 'Jane') Gage, widow of Moses Gage, of Calamus, committed suicide at her home last Monday night by shooting herself with her own revolver. We met her on the streets of DeWitt last Friday, seemingly in usual health and sound mind. She went home feeling somewhat ill, and was taken worse on reaching home. Dr. Waggoner of DeWitt, was called next day, but she was not dangerously sick at all, and no fears of her safety were felt. Watchers (a neighbor and his wife) were with her on the night of the closing scene of her life, and near midnight they left the patient alone to go in the dining room to take a lunch. Soon after leaving the room the report of a revolver was heard, and upon hurrying back they found Mrs. Gage, dead. She had placed the muzzle of the deadly weapon in her mouth, pointing upward, and discharged the bullet into her brain. The dead woman's hands still clutched the weapon on her breast when she was found.

On Monday, she had requested that her revolver be brought to her, for on the previous night she had heard some person on the outside of the house, and the revolver was wanted as a matter of security.

Mrs. Gage was a worthy and highly respected woman, in easy circumstances and her social relations all satisfactory, so far as known to the public at least, and the reason for this deed is a mystery. Temporary insanity is the only solution we can give, and yet the woman gave no evidence of such a mental condition, aside from her self-distruction.

Deceased leaves two daughters, Fannie (Mrs. Damon) living in Calamus, and Miss Josephine, at home--the latter soon to become a bride.

The remains of Mrs. Gage were brought to DeWitt yesterday and laid by the side of those of her husband (and 2nd born daughter, Olive Frances 1847-1857)in the old DeWitt Cemetery.