Southeastern Gazette, 27 September 1853.

Suicide.

A most determined act of suicide was committed on the night Monday, by a woman named Martha Russell, a widow, between thirty and forty years of age, lodging in Avery-street. About twelve o’clock on Monday night a man named John Draper, who was going towards his own home, saw the deceased jump into the mill pond under the viaduct of the railway. He gave information at the "Railway Tavern," and Mr. Haines, who resides there, at once informed police-constables Lillywhite and White, whom he found on duty in the High-street of the town, in conversation with superintending-constable Brandon, and they all immediately proceeded to the spot pointed out by the man, and having procured the drag from the Phoenix mills and a boat, after dragging an hour they found the body of the deceased about twenty yards from the place where she jumped in, which was very deep. Having placed her upon a truck, they took the body to the union-house, and called up the medical officer (Mr. Westwood), who found that life was quite extinct. The deceased's bonnet and cap were found in the road close to the bridge, from which the deceased must have precipitated herself. An inquest was held on the body before C. J. Cart tar, Esq., coroner, at the union-house, when Thomas Oliver stated that the deceased had lodged with him since March last, till within a few days. In consequence of the intemperate habits of the deceased, witness told her that he did not wish her there any longer. The wife of Mr. Oliver was also examined, and after the production of other evidence, a verdict of "Temporary insanity" was returned.