MRS. MALISSA WALKER

WALKER, DURHAM, BASSET, THORNTON

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 15:34:33

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Iowa
June 6, 1912

The following account of the death of a former resident of this county is
taken from the Princeton Post.

Mrs. MALISSA WALKER, seventy-seven years old and highly respected lady of
somersett Township, drowned herself in a well last Sunday afternoon, on the
farm of her son, W.J. BASSET where she has lived the past two years. Ill
health for some months past worry over her physical condition is thought to
have deranged her mind and she was not responsible for the act.

The well is probably twelve or fourteen feet deep and was half full of water
She had been there but a short time when discovered, and when taken out
there was yet a spark of life, but in spite of the fact that everything
possible was done to revive her, she expired in a few moments. The home was
happy, her relations with the family pleasant, and they had no intimation
that she had ever thought of self-destruction. It was indeed a sad blow to
them.

It was about five 'clock that evening when Mr. And Mrs. BASSET were out in
the yard talking with some friends. A neighbor lady came up to them. She
remarked that as she came by the well she noticed the lid of the covering
open and fearing that some child might fall in, she closed it.

The well was always kept covered and the lady's remark caused Mr. BASSET to
make an investigation. Raising the cover, he was horrified to see his
mother in the water. With the help of others, he quickly took her out. She
was carried into the house, but died quickly without regaining consciousness

Mrs. BASSET was born in Ohio, April 15, 1835. Her maiden name was DURHAM.
She was married to Mr. BASSET and lived happily with him until his death.
Later she was married to Mr. WALKER, who died some years ago. She was a
member of the Christian Church, lived a pure Christian life and was greatly
beloved by all who knew her.

She is survived by the following children: O.A. BASSET, Kirwin, Kan.; A.L.
BASSET, Colorado Springs, Colo.; W.J. BASSET, Mercer, Mo.; G.H. BASSET,
Chillicothe, Mo.; O.E. BASSET, Tara, Iowa; H. BASSET, Unadilla, Neb.; Mrs.
CHARLOTTE THORNTON, Sidney, Ia.

The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of all. The body was taken to
the Eaton Cemetery four miles south of Leon, Iowa, near her old home for
interment, Tuesday.
-------------------------------------------------------
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
January 11, 2010
iggy29@grm.net