Mrs. J.W. (Louisa Young) Dixon
Feb. 1835-April 19, 1894
Niles Republican, Thursday, April 19, 1894, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
REAPER'S WORK
DEATH OF MRS. J.W. DIXON THIS MORNING EARLY
She Escapes from the House and drowns Herself in the St. Joseph River.
--Others Join the Immortal Throng
News came to the city this morning that Mrs. J.W. Dixon, whose mind had been unbalanced for the past year, had escaped her watchers and drowned herself in the St. Joseph river.
Most of our readers who are acquainted with the family of the deceased, will hear of their bereavement with deepest sorrow and extend universal sympathies.
In March, 1893, Mrs. Dixon recovered from an attack of fever which left her mind somewhat impaired, but it was thought by all that this would wear off and she would soon regain her usual good health and spirits, but she continued to grow worse, and about the first of September last she was taken to Kalamazoo for treatment, where she remained until about the middle of December when she was brought home much better. She continued to improve until about a week ago, when it was noticed that she was frequently despondent and acted as though she would put an end to her life could she but escape the watchful eye of her family and friends, who fearing what happened this morning, kept a close watch of her.
Tuesday evening she left the house unobserved and went to the river (about a mile north) with the intention of drowning herself, but while in the water she came to herself, as she afterwards stated, and retraced her steps. She was met by the searching party, who had gone in pursuit of her as she was coming up the bank and with them returned to her home. Yesterday she visited in this city with her sister, Mrs. M. Stanley, returning home in the evening. Last night, as been the custom for the past week, watches were kept that she might not leave the house again. At 3 o'clock this morning the watch was changed and about daylight she was missed from her room, a hasty examination showed that the stole softly down the stairs, slipped in to a bedroom off the sitting room and jumped out the window. The neighbors who were at once aroused and started in pursuit, her son, Oscar, going immediately to the river, where from the bank, he discovered her body about twelve feet from the shore lying face down in about three feet of water. He waded in, raised the lifeless form up and did all that he could to bring her too, but to no avail. As soon as assistance arrived she was carried to the house.
The following brief sketch of the life of the deceased was obtained from members of the family:
Louisa Young, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Young, was born in February, 1835, in New York state, came to Michigan in 1836 with her parents, who settled on what is now known as the Ely farm north of Niles. She was married to John W. Dixon, they taking up their residence two miles west of the city where they have lived ever since.
Five children were born to them, four sons and one daughter, viz: Clarence, who lives on the Berrien Springs road; Wallace, in Oaks, South Dakota; Charles, in Ste. Sault Marie, and Oscar and Hattie, at home. Besides a husband and children she leaves two brothers and two sisters to mourn her death: John and Eli Young and Mrs. M. Stanley, of this city, and Mrs. Erastus Kelsey, of Buchanan.
Mrs. Dixon was known for miles around as one of the best of wives and mothers and a true and devoted Christian, having united with the Presbyterian church when she was quite young.
The family have the heartfelt sympathies of an exceedingly large circle of friends in their sad affliction.